title: Factors Associated With Occupational Sun-Protection Policies in Local Government Organizations in Colorado.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Skin cancer prevention remains a national priority. Reducing chronic UV radiation exposure for outdoor workers through sun-safety practices is an important step to help reduce the incidence of skin cancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the presence of occupational sun-safety policies at local government organizations in a single state.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 571 potentially eligible local government organizations of Colorado cities, counties, and special tax districts, we enrolled 98 in a randomized pretest-posttest controlled experiment starting August 15, 2010, that evaluated an intervention to promote the adoption of sun-safety policies. We used a policy-coding protocol to evaluate personal sun-protection practices, environmental and administrative controls, and policy directives for sun safety starting February 10, 2011. We report the baseline assessment of the occupational sun-protection policies of these organizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence of an occupational sun-safety policy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 85 local government organizations (87%) had policies that required personal sun-protection practices, including the use of eyewear, hats, and protective clothing. However, of the 98 responding organizations, only 8 hat policies (8%), 10 eyewear policies (10%), and 7 clothing policies (7%) mentioned sun protection as the intent of the policy. Only cosmopoliteness, operationalized as proximity to an urban area, was associated with the presence of a sun-safety policy (odds ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.98-1.00]; P = .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outdoor workers are at increased risk for skin cancer because of long-term exposure to solar UV radiation. Although organizational policies have the potential to increase sun protection in occupational settings, occupational sun-safety policies were uncommon among local governments. Opportunities exist for dermatologists and other physicians to influence occupational sun-safety practices and policies, which are consistent with other safety procedures and could easily be integrated into existing workplace practices.
authors.affiliation: Klein Buendel, Inc, Golden, Colorado.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Walkosz
authors.affiliation: Klein Buendel, Inc, Golden, Colorado.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Buller
authors.affiliation: School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, Denver.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wallis
authors.affiliation: Klein Buendel, Inc, Golden, Colorado.
authors.forename: Mary Klein
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Buller
authors.affiliation: Mikonics, Inc, Auburn, California.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009111:Local Government; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents