Efectividad de los elementos de protección personal en la prevención de afectaciones de la piel por exposición a radiación solar en trabajadores del sector de la construcción: una revisión de alcance

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) in preventing skin damage due to occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation in construction workers. It was designed as a scoping review that integrates evidence from the last decade to respond to a need that has received little attention in the field. A PRISMA-ScR protocol was implemented with a structured search in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, defining equations, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and a thematic extraction matrix to organize results and reported barriers. The main problem arises because much of the workday is spent outdoors, with cumulative UV exposure increasing the risk of actinic keratosis and skin cancer. Furthermore, the extent of the damage continues to be underestimated in everyday practice and by organizational decisions that do not always prioritize sun protection. Overall, the findings show that the availability of PPE alone does not guarantee protection: adherence depends on thermal comfort, a culture of self-care, supervision, and organizational adjustments. When PPE, education, and administrative measures are combined, there is a reduction in burns and better compliance, which should be integrated into OHS programs with follow-up. This synthesis made it possible to develop practical guidelines for prioritizing relevant PPE on construction sites and, thus, reducing skin injuries and absenteeism