Request ID: FOI-0395-2223 Date published: 16 June 2022
You asked
Please provide any risk assessments relating to London Underground staff (in particular operational) and UV/sun protection.
Please provide any information as to if issued uniform provides any UV/sun protection and to what standard and what assurance processes are in place including if there is UV/sun protection, how long it would last for before deterioration at normal washing of 30-40 degrees.
Please advise what PPE is provided as standard or on request, such as sunscreen, hats that are wide brim or over the neck and any standards relating to them.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0395-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 18th May 2022 asking for information about sun protection for London Underground staff.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Please provide any risk assessments relating to London Underground staff (in particular operational) and UV/sun protection.
Please provide any information as to if issued uniform provides any UV/sun protection and to what standard and what assurance processes are in place including if there is UV/sun protection, how long it would last for before deterioration at normal washing of 30-40 degrees.
Please advise what PPE is provided as standard or on request, such as sunscreen, hats that are wide brim or over the neck and any standards relating to them.”
Exposure to the sun is not a significant risk to London Underground colleagues and no specific risk assessments on this issue have been undertaken. We recognise that some staff may want to protect themselves so we provide PPE to protect them from direct sunlight. The following garments are available to those who need them:
An outdoor wide brim light weight and breathable sun hat.
Two caps manufactured by Coolibar. Coolibar have embedded zinc oxide (ZnO), a natural mineral compound with well-established sun protection properties, to the fibres of natural cotton and bamboo to create ZnO SUNTECT fabric. The caps have long side fabric flaps which protect the lower face and back of the next. These garments offer an ultraviolet protection factor of 50+.
We also offer a range of safety eyewear which filters UV.
A sunscreen is also available to maintenance staff who work outside. The sunscreen offers a sun protection factor of 30. Some elements of our uniform (for operational staff) and workwear (for maintenance staff) also provide protection – for example, peaked 'baseball' style caps which will offer shade for the eyes, and long sleeved shirts.
We do not hold recorded information on how long the clothing items referenced above last for before deterioration at normal washing of 30-40 degrees. Where clothing items have deteriorated, we have well established processes to ensure our staff can order new clothing as required.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
