AI illustrationIndustries - Roads and civil
Sun safety for road crews
Asphalt, heat and no shade for kilometres. Road construction and maintenance crews work the full shift in direct sun beside hot asphalt, often far from any shade or building. Mobile controls matter most.
Where the exposure comes from
- All-day work on open road reserves with no natural shade
- Heat from fresh asphalt adds to heat strain
- Bitumen fumes can make skin more sensitive to UV
- Crews spread over long distances
Controls that work, in order
- Shade gazebos on the support vehicle at every stop
- Long-sleeved hi-vis shirts with collars
- Pocket tubes in every vehicle and a pump station at the camp
- Reapply calls at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00 over the radio
- Water and rest breaks in the shade for heat
Sunscreen supports shade and clothing; it does not replace them.
Recommended for this sector
Full Compliance Site Pack: R 8,450 a month per 25 workers
All-day exposure: about 34 ml per worker-day from 18 L a month. R 9,717.50 incl. 15% VAT. Everything in Standard with 18 L a month (about 34 ml per worker-day) and the annual Sun-Safe Workplace programme mark. 12-month term.
AI illustration- Sun Station wall dispenser installed free on loan
- Scheduled SPF 50 broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) refills
- Posters, toolbox talk and quarterly audit visit
- Free download for this sector: Reapply poster and the UV-index wall chart
SPF 50
broad spectrum (UVA/UVB)
Batch + expiry
on every pack, checkable online
Made in SA
for Health Brands SA (Pty) Ltd
Sun Stations
installed free on loan with a Site Pack
Questions from this sector
How do we keep sunscreen with a moving crew?
Issue 50 ml pocket tubes or 150 ml tubes per worker, and keep a 1 L refill with a pump in each support vehicle so tubes are topped up daily.
Does bitumen change the risk?
Some bitumen and coal-tar products are photosensitising, which can make skin react more strongly to UV. Record it in the hazards section of the risk assessment and check the safety data sheet.
Is sun protection a legal duty?
Section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 requires employers to provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to health, as far as reasonably practicable. Solar UV is a recognised occupational hazard, so it belongs in the risk assessment. This is general information, not legal advice.
Protect your outdoor team this week
Start with a free UV risk assessment: about five minutes, an instant score, ranked actions and a branded PDF for your safety file.