Uvex launches a prevention campaign in partnership with the association Sécurité Solaire

Particularly attentive to this issue of sun protection for those who work outdoors, uvex is an official partner of the Sun and Health at Work program run by the Solar Security association. In this context, uvex provides the association with its expertise, products, logistical assistance and, above all, launches a prevention campaign to raise awareness among professionals, particularly in the construction and agricultural sectors.

"True to our mission of 'protecting people', we are proud to support the Sécurité Solaire association – a WHO collaborating center on the issue of sun exposure in the workplace – in a prevention approach, which is an integral part of our manufacturing profession. Indeed, many received ideas still circulate on solar risks and it is important to fight these prejudices in order to ensure the protection of workers on a daily basis » emphasizes Stéphane Nikonoff, Managing Director UVEX HECKEL sas.

UV rays: a proven risk for the eyes

The risks of the sun in the workplace are a real public health issue. Indeed, within the European Union, almost 15 million workers spend at least 75% of their working life outdoors and are therefore subject to solar radiation. For example, outdoor workers such as farmers, gardeners, breeders, construction professionals, staff at seaside resorts or sports are those concerned by the risks associated with solar UV rays. People working at altitude or on highly reflective surfaces (snow, sand or water) are also at much higher risk of UV exposure.

Some of them are also faced with exposure to artificial optical radiation which can present various dangers, in particular people working in contact with UV lamps (polymerization of glues, curing of inks, germicidal lamps) in the medical, food-processing, printing, welding, water treatment or surface coating sectors.

Thus, frequent exposure to UV rays, solar or artificial, can lead to ocular pathologies as the photoconjunctivitis, photokeratitis and accelerate the onset of cataract or AMD (age-related macular degeneration), leading cause of blindness in developed countries.

“When we talk about UV radiation, 95% of those questioned think of the resulting skin problems. Only 7% of people associate UV rays with eye diseases. However, the eye is, along with the skin, the organ most sensitive to lesions caused by UV radiation. UV rays do not systematically cause immediate effects on the eye, it is imperative to educate professionals on the subject. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work also considers that solar radiation is the 1st carcinogenic agent at work. explains Valérie Muller, uvex product manager.

A prevention campaign to contribute to the Sun and Health at Work program of the Sécurité Solaire association

In order to draw the attention of professionals to solar risks at work, uvex and La Sécurité Solaire are pooling their strengths and launching a joint prevention campaign. In this context, awareness documents (posters and leaflets) will be made available to distributors and businesses. Information sessions and workshops on eye protection will also be organized within companies and training institutes.

To make the impact of UV rays on the eyes more concrete, uvex has also developed a 3D printing eyewear simulating the effects of a cataract. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 20% of cataract cases could be avoided by properly protecting your eyes from UV rays.

Finally, a convention on the theme of safety and health at work for construction professionals will be organized in Paris on April 13 during which innovations will be presented to reduce risks in this sector still very affected by accidents at work. This will bring together around twenty security managers from major companies in the sector.

“I am particularly pleased that uvex, a true expert in eye protection, supports the Sun and Health at Work program and is committed alongside us to raise awareness and better protect those who work outdoors. For the latter, it is well documented that the risks of skin cancer but also of ocular pathology such as cataracts are greatly increased.emphasizes Pierre Césarini, Deputy Director of La Sécurité Solaire.