SOLAR PROTECTION BEHAVIORS AMONG OUTDOOR WORKERS

Due to the lack of information regarding how US workers protect themse lves from ultraviolet radiation, this study explored solar protection behaviors among three groups of outdoor workers. This cross-sectional research involved two separate studies. Study 1 consisted of observati ons of 312 outdoor workers, and Study 2 was a paper and pencil survey (n = 240). For each data set, occupational groups were compared on ult raviolet radiation protection. Observational data indicated that 50.4% of the workers had adequate protection. Across occupational groups, t he ranking from highest to lowest levels of protection was consistent for both data sets, Face and lower arms were consistently the least pr otected sites. The pattern of findings suggests the importance of asse ssing protection of individual body sites, as well as composite protec tion.