Use NAHB Resource to Keep Workers Safe from UV Exposure
As NAHB celebrates UV Safety Awareness Month in July, it is important for home builders and general contractors to educate workers about the potential risks associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and have plans and resources in place to keep them safe on the jobsite.
Why UV Awareness Matters
Ultraviolet radiation can come from both natural and artificial sources. The sun is the main source of exposure for most people — and specifically those working in construction. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to serious health issues, including sunburn, skin cancer, premature aging and eye damage. UV Awareness Month serves as a timely reminder to protect workers against these risks.
Practical Tips for UV and Heat Stress Protection
UV intensity is typically at its strongest as temperatures begin to climb during the summer. Workers can better protect themselves from sun and UV exposure with the following recommendations:
- Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and apply it to all uncovered skin, especially your nose, ears, neck, hands, feet and lips. Reapply every two hours or more often depending on the level of activity.
- Avoid extensive periods in the sun, seek shade as needed, and limit time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are the most intense.
- Wear protective clothing that covers your arms and legs. Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection are also crucial.
- Review the UV index before the beginning of each shift.
- Avoid artificial UV sources, including tanning beds, lasers, mercury vapor lighting, halogen and fluorescent lighting.
- Understand basic first aid and heat stress response measures, which can be found in NAHB’s Video Toolbox Talk on heat stress safety and on the NIOSH website.
Spreading Awareness to Workers
Understanding the basics of sun safety can help prevent injuries and illnesses. More information on what employers and workers can do to stay safe can be found in NAHB’s Heat Stress Safety Toolkit.
Additional Resources
OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Campaign
Latest from NAHBNow
Advocacy
Jul 24, 2026
Latest Tariff Actions Add Uncertainty to Housing MarketRecent tariff developments could create more uncertainty for home builders over building material supply chains and pricing.
Economics
Jul 24, 2026
New Home Sales Edge Higher as Affordability Challenges PersistSales of newly built single-family home rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000, up from an upwardly revised May estimate, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The pace of new home sales is down 5.6% from a year earlier.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jul 24, 2026
New Home Sales Edge Higher as Affordability Challenges PersistAffordability challenges continued to weigh on the new-home market in June, as elevated mortgage rates, rising inflation and broader economic uncertainty kept many prospective buyers on the sidelines.
Economics
Jul 23, 2026
Acquisitions Increasing Among Home BuildersAt the start of 2026, most home builders predicted that high mortgage rates and hesitancy among buyers would be their toughest challenges this year. They weren’t wrong: the 30-year mortgage rate averaged 6.49% in June and housing demand has weakened, as reflected by flat mortgage applications in the first half of the year.
Economics
Jul 22, 2026
What Do Home Buyers Purchase After They Move InBuying a home typically generates a wave of consumer spending beyond the purchase of the home itself. Following a home purchase, households often buy appliances and furnishings and undertake remodeling and repair projects to make the home fit their needs and preferences.