Industrial UV Radiation Hazards
Understanding and preventing UV radiation exposure in South African workplaces is critical for worker health and safety. This comprehensive guide examines UV hazards across various industries and their serious health implications.
Types of UV Radiation in Industrial Settings
UV-A (315-380 nm)
Long-wave UV
- Penetrates deep into skin layers
- Causes premature ageing and wrinkles
- Contributes to skin cancer development
- Present in welding arcs and UV curing equipment
UV-B (280-315 nm)
Medium-wave UV
- Primary cause of sunburn
- Direct DNA damage to skin cells
- Major contributor to skin cancer
- High levels in arc welding processes
UV-C (100-280 nm)
Short-wave UV
- Most dangerous form of UV radiation
- Causes severe burns within seconds
- Extreme eye damage potential
- Generated by welding and plasma cutting
UV Hazards by Industry
Welding & Metal Fabrication
Primary UV Sources:
- Arc welding (MIG, TIG, Stick welding)
- Plasma cutting operations
- Oxy-acetylene torch work
- Reflected UV from metal surfaces
Common Health Issues:
- Arc Eye (Photokeratitis): Painful inflammation of the cornea
- Welder's Neck: Severe burns and potential skin cancer on exposed neck areas
- Chronic skin damage: Accelerated ageing and melanoma risk
- Cataracts: Long-term eye lens damage
Critical Risk: Welders' necks are often unprotected beneath helmets, leading to high rates of skin cancer in this area.
Printing & UV Curing Industries
Primary UV Sources:
- UV curing lamps for ink drying
- Blacklight inspection equipment
- Screen printing UV exposure units
- Flexographic and offset printing systems
Specific Risks:
- Prolonged exposure: Workers often work entire shifts near UV sources
- High-intensity UV-A: UV curing uses concentrated UV-A radiation
- Reflective surfaces: Printed materials can reflect UV back at workers
- Chemical sensitisation: UV exposure combined with printing chemicals increases skin damage
Open Cast Mining
UV Exposure Factors:
- High altitude operations (increased UV intensity)
- Reflective surfaces (water, minerals, equipment)
- Extended outdoor working hours
- Limited shade availability
Compounding Factors:
- Altitude effect: UV radiation increases 10-12% per 1000m elevation
- Dust reflection: Mineral dust can reflect and intensify UV exposure
- Heat stress: Workers may remove protective clothing due to heat
- Equipment glare: Metal mining equipment creates additional UV reflection
Construction & Civil Engineering
High-Risk Activities:
- Road construction and maintenance
- Concrete work (reflective surfaces)
- Roofing operations
- Steel erection and welding
UV Exposure Patterns:
- All-day exposure: 6-10 hours of direct sunlight
- Concrete reflection: Fresh concrete reflects up to 25% of UV radiation
- Water reflection: Working near water bodies doubles UV exposure
- Seasonal peaks: Summer months bring extreme UV levels
Electrical & Utility Workers
UV Exposure Scenarios:
- Power line maintenance at height
- Solar panel installation
- Outdoor electrical repairs
- Arc flash incidents
Unique Risks:
- Elevated work: Increased UV exposure at height
- Arc flash UV: Electrical arcs produce intense UV radiation
- PPE limitations: Electrical safety gear may limit UV protection options
- Extended exposure: Fault-finding can require hours in direct sunlight
Health Consequences of UV Exposure
Immediate Effects
- Sunburn: First and second-degree burns
- Arc eye: Corneal flash burns (photokeratitis)
- Photosensitivity: Allergic reactions to UV
- Heat stress: Combined UV and heat exposure
Short-term Effects (Days to Weeks)
- Skin peeling: Damaged skin layer shedding
- Eye inflammation: Conjunctivitis and irritation
- Immune suppression: Increased infection risk
- Dehydration: Fluid loss through damaged skin
Long-term Effects (Years)
- Skin cancer: Melanoma, basal cell, squamous cell carcinoma
- Cataracts: Clouding of eye lens
- Premature ageing: Wrinkles, age spots, leather skin
- Immune system damage: Reduced disease resistance
South African UV Exposure Statistics
- South Africa has one of the highest UV index ratings globally
- Construction workers receive 5-10 times more UV than indoor workers
- Welders have 40% higher melanoma rates than general population
- 90% of skin ageing is caused by UV exposure
- One severe sunburn doubles melanoma risk
UV and Chemical Interactions
UV radiation can dangerously interact with industrial chemicals, creating additional hazards:
Coal Tar Products
Used in roofing and road construction. UV exposure causes severe phototoxic reactions, leading to painful burns and permanent skin discolouration.
Creosote Compounds
Wood preservatives that become highly reactive under UV light, causing chemical burns and increasing cancer risk significantly.
Industrial Solvents
Many solvents break down under UV exposure, releasing toxic vapours and causing skin sensitisation when combined with UV radiation.
Concrete Additives
Lime and other alkaline substances in wet concrete become more caustic under UV exposure, causing severe chemical burns.
Critical Need for UV Protection
With these severe health risks across multiple industries, implementing comprehensive UV protection is not optional—it's a critical safety requirement.
Essential UV Protection Measures:
- ✓ Apply UV barrier cream to all exposed skin areas
- ✓ Reapply protection every 2 hours during exposure
- ✓ Use broad-spectrum protection (UV-A, UV-B, UV-C)
- ✓ Combine with appropriate PPE for complete protection
- ✓ Implement regular skin checks for workers