Are you your own boss? Why self-employed tradies need to invest in their skin health

Congratulations on being your own boss! While it can certainly have its perks, we’re also all too familiar with the not-so-easy parts of being self-employed.

We all have pressing issues to keep the cogs turning, while also keeping ourselves safe on the job. And while it might be tempting to cut a few corners here and there, workplace safety should never be compromised.

If you’re working in construction, you wear a hard hat, right? And if you’re on a roof, you wear a harness to avoid a nasty tumble. Likewise, we know that UV radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer, so it’s important to also take steps to minimise the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.

Outdoor workers are exposed to up to 10 times as much UV radiation as indoor workers. It should come as no surprise then that they have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.  We also know that about 34,000 cases of skin cancer in Australia are caused by UV exposure at work each year. Because of this, the big companies have strict sun protection policies in place, so there’s no confusion about what is expected. If you don’t comply, you don’t work, it’s a simple as that. But you’re your own boss. And that means you need to take charge of your own sun protection.

Skin cancer can be much more serious than just getting a spot removed. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, kills around 1,400 Australians each year, and the repercussions are felt far and wide.

If you can’t work because of skin cancer, who’s going to keep things ticking over? And have you thought about how you and your family would cope with the loss of income? These issues are unfortunately a reality for many Australians dealing with skin cancer.

Working for yourself can be tough. Everything needs to be done yesterday. But looking after your skin doesn’t have to be a burden, you just need a bit of preparation.

Protecting your skin today is a smart investment in the future of your business, and your health. Find out more here.