Interserve Back Outdoor Workers Sun Safety Pledge
Interserve Construction has become one of the first north west businesses to sign up to an outdoor workers sun safety pledge this summer.
The Wigan-based international support services and construction group employs a number of employees who work work outdoors on a daily basis.
The firm is the main contractor behind the delivery of the £35million oncology centre in Liverpool for Proton Partners International, which will be known as the Rutherford Cancer Centre North West and is due to open next year.
Interserve is backing the Outdoor Workers Pledge to encourage sun safety among its employees and to raise awareness of the early warning signs of skin cancer.
The pledge is a joint initiative between Public Health Liverpool and North West Cancer Research and has been designed to encourage employers to put outdoor worker’s safety front of mind.
A toolkit to help employers educate employees is available to download online. Advice includes covering up and using sun cream between May and September when the rays from the sun are strongest, paying attention to ears, necks and lips.
Employers are also encouraged to promote the use of sun protection and to provide protective clothing, as well as raise awareness of the symptoms of skin cancer and highlight the importance of early diagnosis with employees.
Emma Millward at Interserve Construction said: “The health and wellbeing of our employees is paramount to our values as an employer and with such a large portion of our people spending time outdoors each day, this was an initiative we immediately wanted to get involved in.
“As part of the Outdoor Workers Pledge we have now handed awareness posters and leaflets to all our teams. With this summer being one of the hottest in a long time, we hope our employees welcome this advice and take adequate measures to protect themselves when working outside.”
Ron Russell, Manager of the Rutherford Cancer Centre North West commented: “We are delighted that Interserve has signed up to the Outdoor Workers Pledge. As leaders in cancer care, we understand the importance of early diagnosis and treatment as well as preventing damage in the first place. The pledge is a great initiative.”
North West Cancer Research and Liverpool City Council are now hoping more businesses and organisations will follow Interserve’s lead and sign up to the pledge – especially as temperatures are expected to remain high into the autumn months.
Alastair Richards, CEO North West Cancer Research, said: “We already know that skin cancer rates are on the rise here in the North West and we want to ensure the messages relating to sun protection are reaching those most at risk and that includes people who work outdoors.
“We are delighted that Interserve has come on board and committed to supporting our Outdoor Workers Pledge.
“Over exposure to UV rays can be harmful and we want employers and employees to get the message about the importance of sun protection when at work.”
The Outdoor Workers Pledge forms part of North West Cancer Research’s #suncreamselfie campaign which is reminding people across the North West about the dangers of over exposure to harmful UV rays.
It is also educating people about the early warning signs of skin cancer and the importance of visiting their GP as soon as they have any concerns.
The charity is urging people all over the North West to get creative when applying sun cream, take a selfie and upload it to social media with the hash tag #suncreamselfie.