The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Beauty, Hair and Wellbeing has published a new report on UV safety.

'A Preventable Crisis: The case for a national UV safety inquiry' dives into public awareness, education, misinformation and managing outdoor workers.

In chapter four, it explores the risk of those in particular working in construction, agriculture, forestry, gardeners and road workers - all of which spend a lot of time outside.

It reads:

"Research has found that those who work outside are at significantly greater risk of developing skin cancer. One study found that working outside could be responsible for one death and around five new cases of melanoma skin cancer a week, with the highest numbers of deaths among construction workers (44%), followed by agriculture workers (23%). As a result, many are now calling UV radiation a neglected occupational hazard."

The UK has seen two record-breaking heats this year so far, with an all-time May high of 35.1°C before June hit highs of 37.7°C in some areas just last week. As temperatures reach new heights across the UK, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched London’s first ever heat plan, Heat Ready London.

On top of this, the Woodland Trust, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are urging the government to act now to cool UK cities through green infrastructure with a recent plea.

It also includes the following recommendations to the government:

• The government must make sun protection products – hats, sunglasses, appropriate clothing and sunscreen – part of compulsory PPE for outdoor workers, and Health & Safety inspections on sites must check on the availability of these products as part of their checks on PPE.
• The government must classify UV exposure from the sun as an occupational hazard and change the HSE guidance to make it the legal responsibility of the employer to provide sun protective measures for all staff. UV radiation is a foreseeable, controllable risk and should be treated like asbestos or chemical hazards.
• The government must require that sun safety and UV radiation risks are included in all Health & Safety policies. Sun protection strategies, clear employer policies, risk assessment and access to shade and protection should not be something that is at the discretion of an employer.

Melanoma Focus has released its own statement after the report was published. It says:

"With the Government soon to publish a consultation on sunbed use, we hope a broader range of actions to reduce UV exposure will now be considered alongside this consultation. The recommendations of the APPG should be implemented as soon as possible."

Read: A Preventable Crisis: The case for a national UV safety inquiry