The Irish Cancer Society has partnered with the Irish Farmer's Association and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) to spread the SunSmart message.
The Irish Cancer Society said that almost 23% of skin cancer deaths in Ireland are from the construction, outdoor and farming industry. As it launches its annual SunSmart campaign, the society said that Irish farmers and construction workers need to be extra vigilant during the summer months.
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Kevin O'Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager with the Irish Cancer Society, said: "These figures from the CSO show that in 2014, we had around one death every week in Ireland that is related to sun exposure at work. Coupled with the research from the UK, it shows just how extensive, and unfortunately fatal, sun damage can be for outdoor workers.
"It's vital that we pay heed to this in Ireland this summer. You don't have to in a Mediterranean country for the sun to do damage to your skin and Irish people need to wise up to that. It would be really useful if work places whose employees work predominately outdoors did a risk assessment and put in place policy in relation to protection from sun exposure.
"Every year in Ireland, over 10,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer, and recent figures show that more men than women were diagnosed, with 5,979 men receiving a diagnosis in 2013 compared with 4,796 women. Whether it's sunny or cloudy, everyone should protect their skin and this summer, we can asking people to follow our SunSmart Code for best protection."
(CD/LM)
