Long days in the sun call for serious sun protection

With a hot dry summer looming, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables needing to be harvested in the region, local horticulture businesses are preparing to keep their workers protected from the sun.

Those working in the region’s vineyards, orchards, market gardens and hop farms, spend long days in the sweltering sun, often with no shade. They need good protection from harmful sun exposure, which is at its peak in the Tasman region from October to April.

According to charity Melanoma NZ, New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, in the world. Overexposure to the sun increases the risk of developing melanoma, and other skin cancers.

The country also has higher UV levels than other countries because our air is relatively clean, so the UV radiation is less likely to be scattered by airborne pollution and therefore more UV radiation reaches us and the ground.

On an average summer’s day, sunburn can start to appear in as little as 11 minutes, so our outdoor workers need to take their long workdays in the damaging sun seriously.

“We provide sunhats, and sunblock and encourage all our workers to carry drink bottles. There really is no shade around in the vineyards, where possible though we do try and get everyone to take their breaks in the shade,” says Brightwater-based Elite Viticulture owner Hayley Selwood.

Many who work in orchards and vineyards wear light, long-sleeved tops and covered-in shoes to help limit their sun exposure.

“Workers are not out there in their shorts and jandals,” chief executive at Heartland Apples, Tristan Lynch says.

“Around the packshed, we supply all our staff with bucket hats that cover their ears and there is always suncream available.”

Matthew Hoddy is part of a fourth generation family-owned apple business, and with over 200 hectares of apples to be cared for and harvested, sun awareness is high on his radar.

Matthew says that sun awareness information is part of an induction that is undertaken by any team coming into their operation.

“We also have a list that says what to bring on your first day which includes a sun hat, plenty of water, and a long sleeve shirt. As well as suncream for use at workstations that we encourage everyone to use,” he adds.

While employers can provide hats, suncream and advice, being sun smart is an individual responsibility. With a forecast for increased temperatures this summer, everyone needs to be taking the sun risk seriously.