Recently, NHS England have launched a campaign called ‘Cover Up, Mate’ in the South of England, which aims to prevent skin cancer caused by sun exposure among men who work outdoors.
The campaign encourages those who work outside; such as farmers, builder, sportsmen, and gardeners, to cover up in the sun in order to protect themselves from the potential problems that are a result of exposure from solar radiation.
IOSH is a core partner of this campaign and additionally other core partners in the Cover Up, Mate campaign include the Met Office, the National Farmers Union, Mole Valley Farmers (farming supply retailer), Deb (sun cream manufacturer) and Jewson (building supplies retailer).
As part of the campaign, a co-branded pocket card has been created to be given out at farm shows and regional events. Features of the card include The card includes NHS advice on the best way to stay safe in the sun. The card also stresses that the earlier skin cancer is caught the more treatable is and gives advice on when people should see their GP.
On top of this NHS England is supporting IOSH’s No Time to Lose campaign, a campaign aiming to raise awareness of occupational cancer and encourage businesses to take action to prevent it.