Assessing the Impact of Workplace Sun Protection Policies on Skin Cancer Prevention in the Construction Industry

Thesis Abstract

The increasing incidence of skin cancer among construction workers underscores the urgent need to evaluate the efficacy of workplace sun protection policies and their role in skin cancer prevention within the industry. This study aims to assess the impact of these policies on workers’ sun protective behaviors, awareness levels, and overall skin health outcomes. The specific objectives include identifying the extent of policy implementation, evaluating workers' adherence to recommended sun safety practices, and analyzing the relationship between policy enforcement and skin cancer risk reduction. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to obtain a comprehensive understanding of policy effectiveness. The quantitative component targeted a stratified random sample of 350 construction workers across five construction companies, representing diverse roles and levels of experience, with data collected via structured questionnaires measuring sun protection behaviors, policy awareness, and demographic variables. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews with 20 health and safety managers and policy formulators to explore contextual factors influencing policy enforcement and worker compliance. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple regression analysis to examine correlations between policy variables and workers’ protective behaviors. Thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data to identify emergent themes related to communication efficacy, organizational support, and perceived barriers. It is anticipated that results will demonstrate a positive association between active policy enforcement and increased protective behaviors among workers, with barriers such as insufficient training and inconsistent policy application identified as key challenges. The study also expects to reveal disparities in policy impact based on demographic factors such as age, education level, and years of experience. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the role of organizational policies in modifying risk behaviors in high-exposure occupational settings, filling a gap in the literature regarding construction industry-specific interventions. The findings will inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and health practitioners about effective strategies to enhance policy adherence and integrate sun safety into workplace safety cultures. The main conclusions highlight the critical importance of comprehensive policy implementation, continuous training, and organizational commitment in achieving meaningful skin cancer prevention outcomes. Based on these insights, the study recommends strengthening policy development through stakeholder engagement, increasing resource allocation for protective equipment and training, and establishing regular monitoring and evaluation protocols. Furthermore, the research advocates for adopting behavior change theories, such as the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behavior, to tailor interventions that effectively address perceived barriers and motivate sustained protective behaviors. Future studies are encouraged to explore longitudinal effects of policy interventions and to develop industry-specific, culturally adapted sun safety programs. By providing empirical insights into the effectiveness of workplace sun protection policies, this research aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based occupational health strategies that can significantly mitigate the risk of skin cancer among construction workers, thereby advancing both academic understanding and practical implementation of workplace health promotion.