Safety in the Sunshine
With the ever-changing climate in Ireland, and ongoing increases in average temperatures safety in the sun must now be considered by employers as a hazard, where employees are exposed to hazardous environmental conditions.
In Met Eireann’ s Annual Climate Statement for 2024 it is stated that-
The average annual air temperature for Ireland in 2024 (using the Island of Ireland dataset*) was 10.72 °C, which is 1.17°C above the 1961-1990 long-term average (LTA) or 0.55°C above the most recent 1991-2020 LTA.
The five warmest years on record are 2023, 2022, 2007, 2024 and 1945. Seven of the top ten warmest years have occurred since 2005.
2023 is the warmest year on record to date.
Ireland experienced its warmest spring this year 2025 in at least 126 years, with temperatures significantly above the 20th-century average so this may overtake 2023.
Present-day climate change includes global warming which is the ongoing increase in global average temperature, and its wider effects on Earth’s climate system. The climate system is considered as the known long-term weather pattern in a region, typically averaged over 30 years.
The current rise in global temperatures is driven by human activities involving the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide mainly attributed to fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and land use changes such as deforestation. There is also significant impact from human activities involving the use of greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employers to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of employees. Employers must identify hazards in the workplace.
Where the workplace is outside, sun exposure is considered hazardous so employers must manage the physical environment outdoors.
When working outdoors in the sunshine employees may be exposed to Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) which is electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths of 10–400 nanometers shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause skin damage, sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Outdoor workers are particularly at risk of developing health issues because of exposure to UV. These health issues include skin cancers; sunburn; heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Employers must prevent or minimise risk for employees who work outdoors by ensuring that the employees when working in the sun can easily keep hydrated and can protect their skin and eyes from UV radiation damage.
Employers should keep up to date and advise employees of UV Index available from Met Éireann and where there is a risk identified consider suitable and adequate protective measures. The UV Index helps to identify when there is a risk based on the intensity of the exposure to direct sunlight when the UV is strongest.
Training and information should also be considered for employees working outdoors in the sunshine.
First Aid Arrangements should be in place with First Aiders trained to deal with issues relating to Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke and Sun Burn.
Further information and guidance on Safety in the Sunshine including an FAQ and a Sample Safety in the Sunshine Policy can be found in our Knowledge Centre OSH Member Guide along with useful information on a range of OSH Topics in an easy to use format.
If you are an Ibec member but do not have website access, you can request access here.
If you have any OSH related questions, please feel free to contact me directly or via knowledgecentre@ibec.ie or phone 01-605 1676.
Bernie McMeel CMIOSH
OHS Advisor
Ibec Knowledge Centre
