Forty years under the sun

By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group.  

Learn about roofing's silent occupational hazard.

Ask a group of veteran roofers about the biggest safety risks they face, and you'll probably hear the same answers. Falls. Weather. Heavy lifting. Power tools. Traffic. Electricity. Rarely does someone mention the one hazard they've been exposed to almost every day of their career — the sun. 

Unlike most jobsite hazards, excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure doesn't cause an immediate injury. There is no loud noise, no flashing warning light and no incident report at the end of the day. Instead, the damage builds slowly, year after year, often without anyone realizing it until decades later. 

For roofing professionals, the effects of long-term sun exposure deserve far more attention than they typically receive. Protecting crews isn't just about preventing today's accidents. It's also about protecting their health twenty and thirty years from now. 

The roof is one of the most demanding work environments

Anyone who has spent time on a roof during the summer understands the difference between the weather forecast and actual working conditions. An air temperature of 90 degrees can quickly become much hotter on the roof surface. White membranes reflect ultraviolet radiation upward. Metal roofs amplify glare. Dark roofing materials absorb heat while continuously radiating it back toward workers. 

Roofers aren't simply standing in the sun. They're surrounded by it. 

The combination of direct sunlight, reflected UV radiation and elevated surface temperatures creates one of the harshest outdoor work environments in construction. Most crews accept those conditions as simply part of the job. That acceptance, however, shouldn't prevent us from reducing unnecessary exposure. 

The damage happens slowly 

One of the biggest challenges with UV exposure is that the effects aren't immediately obvious. Unlike a fall or a laceration, excessive sun exposure doesn't usually stop production. Workers often think of sunburn as little more than an inconvenience. In reality, repeated UV exposure contributes to premature skin aging, eye damage andsignificantly increases the risk of skin cancer over the course of a career.  

Most roofers don't develop these problems after one summer. They develop them after forty summers. That's why this issue deserves the same level of attention as any other occupational hazard. 

Experience doesn't provide protection 

I've often heard experienced roofers say they no longer burn because they've "gotten used to the sun."  Unfortunately, that's not how ultraviolet radiation works. The absence of a severe sunburn doesn't mean the skin isn't being damaged. Every day of excessive exposure adds to the cumulative effect. In many ways, veteran roofers may actually face greater long-term risk simply because they've accumulated decades of exposure. Safety programs should recognize that occupational health isn't only about preventing today's injuries. It's also about protecting careers that may span forty or fifty years. 

Protection should become routine 

Fortunately, reducing UV exposure doesn't require complicated procedures. Like many safety improvements, consistency matters more than complexity. Lightweight long-sleeved performance shirts, wide-brim attachments designed for hard hats, quality UV-blocking safety glasses, neck protection and regular sunscreen application all reduce cumulative exposure. 

These shouldn't be viewed as optional comfort items. They should become standard components of personal protective equipment during outdoor work. The same companies that invest in fall protection equipment should also invest in protecting employees from occupational hazards that develop over decades instead of seconds. 

Planning makes a difference 

Operational planning can also reduce unnecessary exposure. During periods of extreme heat and intense UV conditions, project managers should evaluate work sequencing whenever practical. Tasks requiring prolonged exposure in open areas can often be scheduled earlier in the day while shaded work, staging activities, equipment preparation or interior tasks are completed during peak afternoon conditions. 

No roofing contractor can eliminate sun exposure. Every contractor can manage it more intelligently. These decisions protect workers while often improving productivity by reducing heat-related fatigue. 

Leadership sets the standard 

One of the greatest influences on safety culture is what supervisors choose to emphasize. If foremen consistently wear neck protection, sunglasses and sunscreen while encouraging crews to do the same, employees quickly recognize these practices as normal. If leadership ignores long-term health risks, crews will usually do so as well.  

Safety culture isn't built through written policies alone. It's built by the daily example set by field leadership. The message should be simple. Protecting yourself from the sun isn't about comfort. It's about making sure today's work doesn't create tomorrow's medical problems. 

Don't forget your eyes 

Skin isn't the only concern. Years of ultraviolet exposure can also contribute to cataracts and other vision problems. Roofers spend countless hours looking across highly reflective roof surfaces where sunlight bounces directly into their eyes. Quality safety glasses that provide UV protection should be considered essential PPE, not merely impact protection. Clear vision isn't only important for long-term health. It's critical for safely navigating roof edges, recognizing hazards and performing quality workmanship every day. 

Looking beyond today's job 

One of the signs of a mature safety program is its willingness to think beyond immediate injuries. The best companies understand that protecting employees means considering both today's hazards and tomorrow's health. 

Just as we encourage hearing protection before hearing loss develops, we should encourage sun protection before skin damage becomes permanent. The goal isn't simply getting through another project safely. The goal is helping employees enjoy long, healthy careers after decades in the roofing industry. 

Final thoughts 

The most dangerous occupational hazards aren't always the ones that cause immediate injuries. Sometimes they're the ones we become so accustomed to that we stop noticing them altogether. 

For roofers, ultraviolet exposure is a hazard. Every day spent on a roof leaves an impression. Most of the time we can't see it happening, but the effects accumulate throughout an entire career. The best roofing companies understand that safety isn't measured only by the accidents that didn't happen today. It's also measured by the long-term health of the people who helped build the company's success over the last forty years.