RUGGED UV Safety and Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Protect Your Skin from the Sun

As UV Safety and Skin Cancer Awareness Month continues, RUGGED Mind and Body is sharing education, resources and practical tips from trusted sources to help trades professionals protect their health.

This week focuses on one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of skin cancer: protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Whether you work outdoors every day or spend weekends outside, consistent sun protection helps reduce cumulative UV damage that can lead to premature skin aging and skin cancer.

Make Sunscreen Part of Your Daily Routine

Sunscreen is one of the simplest and most effective tools for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day on exposed skin, even when it is cloudy.*

When spending time outdoors, sunscreen should be:

Applied 15 to 30 minutes before going outside
Reapplied every two hours
Reapplied more often after heavy sweating or toweling off

No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV radiation, which is why it should be used as part of a complete sun protection strategy rather than the only line of defense.

Avoid Peak UV Hours When Possible

The strength of UV radiation changes throughout the day. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), UV rays are generally strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.**

When work schedules allow, reducing direct sun exposure during these hours can help lower your risk of skin damage. Some practical ways to reduce exposure include:

Taking breaks in shaded areas
Planning outdoor tasks earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when possible
Using canopies or temporary shade structures during extended outdoor work

Even if you cannot avoid working during peak sunlight hours, taking opportunities to reduce direct exposure can make a difference over time.

Wear Protective Clothing

Clothing provides reliable, long-lasting protection that does not wear off during the day. The American Cancer Society recommends combining sunscreen with protective clothing for the best defense against UV exposure.***

Helpful protective clothing includes:

Long-sleeved shirts made with tightly woven fabric
Long pants whenever practical
Wide-brimmed hats that protect the face, ears and neck
UV-blocking sunglasses that protect both the eyes and surrounding skin

For trades professionals who spend much of the workday outdoors, physical barriers often provide more consistent protection than sunscreen alone.

Protecting your skin is another form of personal protective equipment. Small daily habits can significantly reduce your lifetime exposure to harmful UV radiation and support your long-term health.

Interested in learning more? Connect in two ways to stay informed on trade-focused mental health and wellness content: