UVR Exposure and Prevention of Street Construction Workers in Colombia and Germany

Mayra F. Calvache Ruales, Stephan Westerhausen, Hernan A. Zapata Gallo, Benjamin Strehl, Sergio D. Naza Guzman, Helmut Versteeg, Wiho Stöppelmann and Marc Wittlich
Additional contact information
Mayra F. Calvache Ruales: Risk Management Consultancy CGR, SURA, Cali 760046, Colombia
Stephan Westerhausen: Department of Ergonomics: Physical Environmental Factors, Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance, D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
Hernan A. Zapata Gallo: Occupational Risk Insurance ARL, SURA, Medellin 050034, Colombia
Benjamin Strehl: Department Accident Prevention: Digitalisation—Technologies, Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance, D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
Sergio D. Naza Guzman: Risk Management Consultancy CGR, SURA, Cali 760046, Colombia
Helmut Versteeg: Department Exposure and Risk Assessment, Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance, D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
Wiho Stöppelmann: Department Exposure and Risk Assessment, Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance, D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
Marc Wittlich: Department Accident Prevention: Digitalisation—Technologies, Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance, D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: (1) Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) poses a major risk factor for developing skin cancer after years of chronic exposure. The irradiation is strongly dependent upon the activity or occupation carried out, but also on the climate conditions at the workplace. Knowledge of both has been tested within the occupational group of road construction workers in Colombia and Germany. (2) The GENESIS-UV measurement system has been used at both locations for consistency. A number of workers in both countries wore an electronic data logging dosimeter for several months to deliver detailed information on UVR exposure. (3) It was found that in a tropical climate, UVR exposure remains constant throughout the year, while in a temperate climate seasonal effects are visible, superimposed by behavioural aspects e.g., in springtime. The daily distribution of the radiation shows a distinct dip, especially in the Colombian data. Derived data show the high fraction of working days exceeding a threshold set by the skin type. (4) Road construction work involves high UVR exposure. In both countries, preventive measures are required to reduce the personal exposure to a minimum. Exceedance of the minimal erythema dose (MED) suggests a possible enhancing effect, especially in fair skinned people. Intercomparison of UVR exposure at workplaces is possible between countries and climate zones, emphasizing efforts for global action against skin cancer.

Keywords: ultraviolet radiation; personal dosimetry; risk assessment; occupational health; outdoor work; occupational health prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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