With Ireland expected to enjoy scorching weather over the next few days, Agridirect.ie discuss the need for farmers to exercise caution when working in the sun. 

A Rare Forecast

In Ireland it is rare to find a weather forecast that makes for pleasant reading. But that is precisely what you will find if you glance at the Met Éireann website today. With temperatures reaching 24 Celsius last Sunday, many of us may have expected that we had seen the first and last of the summer sun. 

How wrong we were! It now seems that we are in for at least a week of sunshine, with most forecasts predicting temperatures to reach 27 or 28 degrees over the coming weekend. 

A Chance to Get Work Done

As farmers, it is only right that we should rejoice at this sudden upswing in our fortunes. This week brings with it the promise of getting any number of big jobs done on the farm, from shearing sheep to saving silage. A lot of important work has been put on the long finger this year, due in large part to disastrous weather we suffered through in May and June.

A Note of Caution

That said, the strength of the predicted sunshine should prompt all of us to exercise a degree of caution. Now is an important time to remember that farmers are three times more likely to develop skin cancer than are most blue collar workers. 

The underlying cause of this astonishing fact is not far to look for. It seems that a lot of us can't see a sliver of sunshine peeping through the clouds without ripping off our shirt, thereby exposing skin that doesn't see daylight for ten months of the year. 

The Threat of UV Rays

In short, if I had a cent for every farmer I see at this time of year with blistering skin on his back and shoulders, I'd have the price of a litre of diesel (and that's saying something!)

Jokes aside, though, all farmers need to give consideration to skin protection over the coming days. Our pale Irish skin simply isn't made to withstand hours of blazing sunshine. UV rays from the sun can cause severe damage to skin cells, resulting in the onset of melanoma and other skin diseases.

Take Your Health Seriously

Now I know that a lot of farmers take pride in their indifference to health and safety concerns, and that a bit of sunburn can be a source of bravado for some. But this is a ridiculous and immature attitude. It is important to remind ourselves that our health is not just our own problem. We have a duty to take care of ourselves for the people we love. 

So, if you have to rip off the t-shirt over the next few days, please, please, please remember to wear sunscreen!