Tips to Prevent Truck Driver Sun Damage

Accidents and long hours are widely recognized as significant occupational hazards for truck drivers. However, the danger of frequent sun exposure is less well-known. All those hours on the road absorbing the sun’s powerful UV rays can lead to truck driver sun damage, including sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways to avoid these common issues, as well as some potential solutions if they do occur. To prevent truck driver sun damage, you first need to understand what it is and how it happens.

What Is Truck Driver Sun Damage?

Truck driver sun damage is the harm caused by frequent exposure to UV radiation that truckers experience on the job. Commercial trucking jobs often require spending long hours beneath the sun every day while out on the road. 

However, because the left sides of their bodies are more exposed to direct sunlight, sun damage on truck drivers tends to be asymmetrical. This can lead to skin damage on the left arm and hand and the left side of the face, which can range from unpleasant to potentially deadly. 

How Does Truck Driver Sun Damage Develop?

There are two forms of UV radiation: UVA and UVB. UVB rays cause sunburns, but UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing long-term damage such as wrinkles, sunspots, a leathery texture, and potentially deadly skin cancer.

While standard vehicle glass blocks UVB rays, it does not block all UVA rays. You may feel protected in the truck because you’re not getting sunburn, but the sun’s harmful rays may be doing far worse damage to your skin over time. This damage may not reveal itself until well after it’s too late to reverse it, so taking preventive measures is often the only way to ensure your protection. 

How to Prevent Truck Driver Sun Damage

While reducing the amount of sun exposure you experience is not necessarily possible, given the nature of your job, there are some measures you can take to minimize exposure while out on the road. The following steps can help you prevent truck driver sun damage: 

Wear Protective Clothing

Long-sleeved and high-collared shirts made of UV-protective fabric offer great protection from the sun’s rays. Look for clothing labeled with UV Protection Factor (UPF) ratings, and go for lightweight, breathable materials that protect you from getting too much ultraviolet radiation while still keeping you cool. 

Apply Sunscreen

Keep broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun proof factor (SPF) of 30 or higher on hand at all times. Apply it generously to all exposed skin before hitting the road. Forgetting to reapply is a common error that can result in significant sun damage, so be sure to do so every two hours or more often if you’re sweating. 

Use Window Tinting

UV-filtering window tints can significantly reduce sun exposure without compromising visibility. However, there are legal limits to window tinting that can earn you a ticket or an FMCSA violation, which means you need to be sure yours are within them. Those limits vary by state, as well, so remain aware of what the law says about your tints when crossing state lines.

Seek Shade

While you may not be in total control of your sun exposure while out on the road, you can still find shady areas to park in during breaks or when stopped for deliveries. Using your sun visors or installing temporary shades inside your cab can also provide some respite from UV rays on the job. 

Stay Hydrated

Dehydrated skin is more vulnerable to the sun’s rays, so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. The necessary amount of water can vary depending on age, weight, and activity level, but eight glasses a day is a good baseline. If you’re sweating more, then drink more.

Take Breaks

Regular breaks are already required for FMCSA compliance, but they can double as a time to reduce your UV exposure. Be sure to schedule your breaks with shade or indoor areas in mind. 

Invest in High-Quality Sunglasses

UVA/UVB-blocking sunglasses protect not only your eyes but also the sensitive skin on your face from the sun’s rays. Investing in a high-quality pair can pay big dividends in overall eye and face health. 

Get Regular Screenings for Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is among the most preventable types of cancer, not only because you can apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing to avoid exposure but also because you and your doctor can keep an eye on suspicious growths with regular exams. Schedule an annual appointment with your dermatologist and do a monthly self-check.

Educate Others

Sun damage on truck drivers is an overlooked occupational hazard that can get more attention when you spread the word yourself. Employers, dispatchers, and fellow drivers should encourage those around them to take the above preventive measures.

Can I Get Workers’ Comp for Sun Damage as a Truck Driver?

In Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation covers injuries and illnesses that occur on the job, including conditions and diseases caused by prolonged exposure to hazardous elements. That can include sun damage, but proving that you’re entitled to compensation can be a complex matter. You’ll need to demonstrate the following:

• Sun exposure occurred primarily on the job.
• Sun damage was caused or worsened by the job.
• Your occupation puts you at substantially greater risk of sun damage than other occupations would.
• A medical professional supports these connections.

If you can provide clear and convincing evidence that your job activities caused or worsened your condition, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. That compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, and even disability benefits. However, these cases require medical evidence and expert testimony, which means it’s important to work with an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ comp attorney. 

Contact Our PA Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Help

If you’ve suffered sun damage while working as a truck driver, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The team at Calhoon & Kaminsky, P.C., has recovered over $221 million for injured Pennsylvania workers. Our lawyers can fight for your right to the benefits you’ve earned. Contact us today for your free consultation.