HSS Hire, the national tool and equipment hire company, is helping construction workers beat the heat this summer thanks to an innovative new poster campaign and ensuring free sun screen is available at the new multi-million pound Bloomberg site in Central London.
Backed by Cancer Research UK, the campaign is part of a sun safety initiative devised by HSS Hire and Sir Robert McAlpine aimed specifically at construction workers, who have been identified as an ‘at risk’ group by health authorities when it comes to skin cancer diagnosis.
Specifically designed by HSS Hire, the unique sun reactive posters feature a simple graphic of an apparently featureless, colourless face in a hard hat – but which, when exposed to ultraviolet light, dramatically morphs into grim “life” as a skull in a shock of vibrant colour.
The powerful posters have been put up around the 1,000,000 sq ft development on Queen Victoria Street which currently employs 1,200 Trade Contractor employees managed by Sir Robert McAlpine. 
The specialist “photochromic” inks which produce the effect become intensely coloured after only 15 seconds in direct sunlight and return to clear when taken indoors or as daylight diminishes. The campaign is the first of its kind to harness the technology in poster format, and if successful, could be rolled out at all HSS Onsite facilities nationwide, to help drive awareness about the high risk of skin cancer faced by construction workers.
David Branch from HSS said: “Safety is our number one priority at HSS which is why we’re working with Sir Robert McAlpine and Cancer Research UK in raising awareness around being sun safe on site.”
“When you’re working for prolonged periods outside, your skin is exposed to dangerous rays which is subsequently why 55% of skin cancer patients are construction workers.”
“We want to ensure we are doing our bit to protect workers on site and remind them that too much sun exposure without protection can lead to long term skin damage.”
Free sun screen is available from the HSS Onsite shop on the Bloomberg development to all construction workers.
Nick Wright, Senior Works Manager at Sir Robert McAlpine’s Bloomberg site, said: “The Health of our site workforce is of the upmost importance. However, it’s not just about hard hats and safety vests.
“Summer can bring with it other safety issues that we need to factor in, so it’s important that the correct precautions are put in place to ensure the team goes home healthy at the end of each working day.
“The sun reactive posters dotted around the site are an eye-catching way to remind workers to stay safe in the sun and slap on the sun screen when they see red!”
Ruth Blackwell from Cancer Research UK added: “Sun safety awareness is hugely important in helping to prevent skin cancer so it’s great to see HSS Hire and Sir Robert McAlpine partnering together for such an important cause.”
HSS has over 70 branches in Greater London which operate a click and collect service via www.HSS.com, guaranteeing local businesses next day availability on a huge range of items.
For more information please visit: www.hss.com