Climate change represents one of the greatest global challenges in public health. One consequence is the increase in air temperatures and sunshine hours, leading to stronger UV exposure (Bfs, 2023). In Hamburg, there is a significant increase in summer days. High temperatures and UV rays pose the risk of heat stroke, sunstroke, and skin cancer. The Hamburg Cancer Registry has recorded a significant increase in skin cancer cases (malignant melanoma) over the past 20 years. Workers who work outdoors are particularly at risk.
To protect this vulnerable group, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) launched the project “Resilience at Work: Skin Health and Heat Protection”. The project aims to improve the health competence of employees in the areas of skin and heat protection. Through targeted measures and the training of multipliers, health-promoting and sustainable conditions are created to strengthen wellbeing and stabilize productivity.
The project’s measures include information and awareness campaigns as well as practical offers such as testing heat protection clothing, consulting with occupational medicine, and professional skin cancer screenings as part of community days. The regular collection of strategic key figures within the framework of the psychological risk assessment enables structured feedback on individual offers. A consistent positive social well-being and attractiveness index over the years encourages the specialized units to continue advancing the target group specific measures to sustainably promote and secure the health of employees.
The project “Resilience at Work: Skin Health and Heat Protection” stands out for its innovative approach and tailored support for a particularly vulnerable group. Interdisciplinary collaboration between different specialist units is a best practice for sustainable health promotion and shows how preventative measures can ensure the long-term health and ability to work of employees.