A WIRRAL housing provider is backing a campaign to keep employees safe in the sun.

Magenta Living is the first business to sign up to the Outdoor Workers Pledge from Public Health Liverpool and North West Cancer Research.

The pledge aims to encourage employers to put outdoor worker's safety first, raising awareness for the importance of using adequate sun protection.

Employees will have access to a toolkit which includes advice on covering up and using sun cream between May and September and paying attention to ears, necks and lips.

Magenta Living are also encouraged to promote the use of sun protection and provide protective clothing and suncream.

They will also raise awareness of the symptoms of skin cancer and highlight the importance of early diagnosis.

Assistant director of HR and Organisational Development at Magenta Living Joanne Francom said: “The health and wellbeing of our employees is paramount to our values as an employer and with such a large portion of our people spending time outdoors each day, this was an initiative we immediately wanted to get involved in.

“As part of the Outdoor Workers Pledge we have now disseminated awareness posters and leaflets to all our teams and have ensured there are sun cream samples for our employees to access in communal areas.

“With this summer being one of the hottest in a long time, we hope our employees welcome this advice and take adequate measures to protect themselves when working outside.”

North West Cancer Research and Liverpool City Council are now hoping more businesses and organisations will sign up to the pledge – especially as temperatures hit record highs this summer.

Chief executive of North West Cancer Research Alastair Richards said: “We already know that skin cancer rates are on the rise here in Merseyside and we want to ensure the messages relating to sun protection are reaching those most at risk and that includes people who work outdoors.

“As one of the biggest housing providers in the Wirral, we are delighted that Magenta Living has come on board and committed to supporting our Outdoor Workers Pledge.

“Over exposure to UV rays can be harmful and we want employers and employees to get the message about the importance of sun protection when at work.”

For more information on the Outdoor Workers Pledge visit http://www.nwcr.org/how-we're-fighting/pledge