Skin Health Advice for Professional Truck Drivers in Calgary, Kamloops, and Red Deer
Each year, professional truck drivers spend an average of 300 days per year on the road, navigating their trailers through all types of weather. This means that their skin may be exposed to constant sunlight, which can lead to sunburn, premature ageing, dark spots, and skin cancer.
If you’re part of the truck driving community, you must remember to keep your skin safe while on the road. By taking just a few small steps, you can protect yourself and significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer and other types of skin damage.
Want to know how you can protect your skin while working? Here, we’re sharing three things for professional truck drivers to keep in mind about skin health.
Your Left Side Receives More Sun Exposure
Did you know that while driving heavy trucks, a person’s left side of their body is exposed to more sunlight than their right side?
This is because while windshields block approximately 96 percent of harmful ultraviolet rays, side windows only block 44 percent. Because we drive on the right side of the road, our left sides are exposed to more of the UV light that can wreak havoc on the skin.
Apply Sunscreen Every Day
A quality sunscreen of at least spf 15 reduces your UV exposure and lowers your risk of sun damage and skin cancer altogether. Over-exposure to UV rays impacts the skin’s ability to repair itself. By applying sunscreen to your face, arms, legs, and any other exposed skin, you’re actively protecting yourself from harm — even when it’s cloudy outside.
Don’t forget to be generous with the sunscreen on your left side and always reapply throughout the day.
Wear a Hat and Sunglasses During Peak Sunlight Hours
UV rays are the most dangerous during the middle of the day, between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. Of course, UV rays are also stronger during the warmer months of the year, so keep this in mind as well.
To combat the harsh strength of these peak sunlight hours, wear a hat and sunglasses. A hat will block more light from reaching your head and face, and sunglasses will protect your sensitive eyes from strong UV exposure. You may also consider adding UV-blocking shields for your windows.
Wear Long Sleeves
You might not want to put on a long-sleeved shirt during the summer months but doing so could save your life.
Long sleeves offer another protective barrier between your skin and the sun. Wearing a long-sleeved top can prevent the skin on your arms and shoulders from the harmful effects of UV exposure. You may take this a step further with UV blocking sun sleeves which provide up to 50+ ultraviolet protection factor. These tips are especially important for commercial truck drivers.
Prevention Keeps Professional Truck Drivers Safe
As a professional truck driver in BC and Alberta there’s no avoiding the sun altogether. Instead, proper prevention strategies must be adopted so that you can protect your skin (and your life).
By following these tidbits of skin advice, professional truck drivers will be able to drive with confidence that they’re staying safe.
Learn more about how RJames Management Group Ltd can help with your trucking needs; Contact us today.