For crews in Florida, Texas, and California, the sun isn’t just an annoyance; it is a job site hazard.
We often talk about safety gear in terms of hard hats, steel-toe boots, and safety glasses. But for outdoor professionals, the most constant threat to their long-term health is ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
There is a dangerous misconception in the trades that a standard white cotton t-shirt is “good enough” for sun protection. The reality? That cotton shirt might be putting your team at risk.
Here is why upgrading to UPF-rated performance wear is not just a comfort choice—it is a necessary safety protocol.
The “White T-Shirt” Myth
Many business owners assume that if their skin is covered by cloth, it is protected.
However, a standard white cotton t-shirt only has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of about 5 to 7. Even worse, once that shirt gets wet from sweat—which happens within 20 minutes on a job site—that rating can drop as low as UPF 3.
To put that in perspective: wearing a wet cotton t-shirt is almost the equivalent of wearing no sunscreen at all. UV rays pass right through the loose weave of the fabric, cooking the skin underneath and increasing the cumulative risk of skin cancer.
Long Sleeves in Summer? Yes.
It sounds counter-intuitive. Why would you ask your team to wear more fabric when it is 95 degrees outside?
The answer lies in the technology. UPF 50+ Performance Shirts act as a shield.
- Block the Burn: High-quality performance fabric blocks 98% of the sun’s rays from hitting the skin.
- Cooler Than Skin: Direct sunlight heating up bare skin raises body temperature faster than sunlight hitting a lightweight, reflective fabric.
- Evaporative Cooling: Unlike cotton, which holds hot moisture against the skin, lightweight UPF shirts wick sweat away instantly, creating an airflow effect that actually keeps the technician cooler than if they were shirtless.
Duty of Care
As an employer, you have a responsibility to mitigate hazards. Sun exposure leads to heat stress, fatigue, and serious long-term medical issues.
By equipping your team with lightweight, long-sleeve UPF shirts, you are actively reducing their UV exposure. You are telling them that you care about their health five years from now, not just their output today.
Don’t let the sun be the silent killer on your job site. Armor up against the rays with gear that works as hard as you do.
Design your Summer Work shirt today.
