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UV Exposure and Sun Protection

Ultraviolet light reaches you on cloudy days, in cool weather and through vehicle windows. For people who work outdoors, protection is a daily habit, not a summer extra.

Why does UV matter for farm workers?

Farmers and farm workers spend many hours outdoors across many seasons. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun damages skin and eyes over time, and the damage adds up across years of work. Cloud cover does not remove it, and reflected light from water, snow and bare soil adds to exposure.

The CDC and the National Weather Service publish information about the UV Index, which tells you how strong UV is on a given day. Learn how to find it for your area and what each range means.

Skin and eye damage may not show for years, which is why people underestimate the risk. A habit built now pays off later, and it is never too late to start.

• Exposure adds up over years
• Clouds do not block all UV
• Reflection from soil, water and snow adds exposure

What does a sun protection plan look like?

A good plan layers protections: shade when possible, clothing that covers skin, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Move shade breaks and hard tasks around the strongest sun hours where you can. CDC and dermatology groups describe each layer in detail on their websites.

For sunscreen, read the label and follow the directions. Ask your pharmacist or health care provider for help choosing a product, and do not rely on advertising claims.

Reapply sunscreen as the label directs, especially after sweating. Keep it where you will actually use it: in the truck, the shop and the barn, not just the bathroom cabinet.

• Shade and schedule changes
• Long sleeves and long pants
• Wide-brim hat
• Sunglasses that block UV
• Sunscreen used as directed

How do you protect your eyes?

Sun exposure can harm the eyes as well as skin. Sunglasses labeled to block UV, with good coverage, are the usual advice. Ask an eye care professional about eyewear suited to work, and check OSHA guidance for any workplace requirements.

Tinted or protective lenses should still meet your task needs, such as impact protection. Do not swap protective eyewear for fashion sunglasses where impact or dust is an issue.

Ask your provider about any eye symptoms such as pain, redness that does not clear or changes in vision after long sun exposure, and seek care promptly.

What about children and young workers?

Young skin is especially sensitive. Teach children and teens on the farm to use shade, hats and sunscreen, and set the example yourself. Ask a pediatrician about protection for infants, since guidance differs for the youngest children.

Employers who hire young workers should follow federal and state rules. Confirm requirements with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and your state labor department.

Teenagers often skip protection to fit in. A farm norm that everyone wears hats and sleeves removes the social pressure. Check the forecast for the UV Index each morning during the growing season and use it to decide how much protection a given day calls for, especially on bright days after a long stretch of cloud when skin is least prepared.

How can employers and farm families make this practical?

Make protection easy. Provide shade structures, water, and sunscreen at central spots, and remind workers at the start of each shift. Include sun protection in safety talks, and add hats and sleeves to the dress norms for the farm.

Do not rely on memory or social pressure. A written routine that everyone knows helps people follow through when they are busy or tired.

Make a plan for rotating tasks so that no one is in full sun for a whole shift. Shade structures and cooling breaks serve both UV and heat safety.

When should you see a health care provider?

See a provider about skin changes that persist or concern you, and about burns that blister or cause other symptoms. Call 911 for emergencies. Heat illness can accompany sun exposure, so see the heat safety articles on this site and the CDC for details.

Regular skin checks can catch problems early. Ask your provider how often you should be checked.

Keep records of any skin concerns and when you noticed them. This helps your provider track changes.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.