The importance of UV Protective Workwear and Safety Wear

Outdoor work happens in all kinds of weather—rain, wind and scorching sun. While you may already be wearing protective clothing in cold or rainy conditions, it is equally important to dress appropriately when the sun is shining. The correct attire is essential to shield your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. The same can be said about eye protection during sunny days.

UV Workwear

It is essential to ensure that your team are wearing protective clothing when working outdoors to safeguard their skin and reduce the risk of skin diseases. Prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays can cause significant damage without proper sun protection, making it crucial for your workwear to shield you effectively.

While fabric does offer some protection against harmful UV rays, the level of protection can vary. Several factors influence a fabric's UV resistance, including:

Fiber composition

Colour

Elasticity

Density

Thickness

Any special finishes

Additionally, the effectiveness of UV protection can be affected by the condition of the fabric when it is wet or after being washed. Regularly replacing worn-out workwear ensures that your UV protection remains effective.

UV Eyewear

When are UV Rays harmful to the eyes? The sun's rays are at their peak intensity from 10am to 2pm, but UV exposure can be harmful throughout the day, especially on sunny days. UV light can penetrate clouds, so wearing sunglasses is important even on overcast days. Additionally, your team should wear sunglasses in environments with snow, sand, water, or while driving as glare and reflections can pose significant risks to your eyes.

Medical conditions can increase potential UV ray damage in individuals with certain conditions such as cataracts (even post-surgery), macular degeneration, and retinal dystrophies. These individuals should take extra precautions to protect their eyes from UV damage.

Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, sunglasses are your best defence. Wearing glasses that offer greater percentages of UVA and UVB protection is recommended. For maximum coverage, consider protective glasses with a UV 400 shade coverage that can block all UVA and UVB light wavelengths up to 400 nanometres. Additionally, wearing a hat with a brim can further reduce sun damage to your eyes.

For more information on the UV workwear and Eye protection products in our range, contact our team.