Workplace sun protection policies and employees' sun-related skin damage.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether mandatory sun protection for outdoor workers in tropical regions is associated with reduced sun damage.

METHODS

Survey of 26 employees working under mandatory sun protection policy was compared to survey of 21 employees working under voluntary sun protection policy.

RESULTS

Voluntary sun protection associated with employees having more solar keratoses on dorsum of right hand (P=0.006) and more previously excised self-reported skin cancers (P=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Employees working under mandatory sun protection policy had reduced sun damage, a likely consequence of less sun exposure.