What to know about sunburn in outdoor workers

Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction in skin damaged by ultraviolet radiation. Redness, warmth, tenderness and later peeling can develop after exposure, even when the air feels cool or clouds are present. Repeated burns add to long-term ultraviolet damage, which can contribute to uneven pigmentation, leathery texture and skin cancers over time. Darker skin can still burn, although redness may be harder to see; soreness, heat, swelling or colour change may be more noticeable than bright red skin.

Leave direct sun when possible and cool the skin with a lukewarm shower or a clean, cool damp cloth. Apply a gentle moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp, drink fluids, and avoid picking peeling skin or breaking blisters. Cover the area with loose, tightly woven clothing and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed, intact skin; reapply as directed, especially after sweating. For future shifts, combine shade, a hat that protects the face and neck, protective clothing, and planned breaks away from direct sun. Tell a supervisor if heat and sun exposure cannot be reduced safely.

Seek urgent care for widespread blistering, severe swelling, intense pain, confusion, fainting, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, or signs of heat illness such as a very high body temperature. Medical assessment is also appropriate if the burn affects the eyes, causes vision changes, or involves a large area. A clinician can advise on infected blisters, persistent symptoms, or repeated burns linked to workplace exposure.

Ask which pain relief and moisturiser suit your skin, whether a blistered area needs a dressing, and how to protect skin during your next shift. If burns keep recurring, ask for a workplace sun-protection plan and an examination of changing or non-healing spots.