Why Tradies Should Prioritise Sun Protection: Essential Gear for Outdoor Workers

Why Tradies Should Prioritise Sun Protection: Essential Gear for Outdoor Workers


Working outdoors comes with its own set of challenges, but one of the most critical—and often overlooked—is sun protection. Whether you're a builder, landscaper, bricklayer, or gardener, spending long hours in the sun increases your risk of skin damage, sunburn, and even skin cancer. For tradies who spend most of their day on construction sites, proper sun protection is essential, and it goes beyond just applying sunscreen.

While you can pick up most of your workwear and safety gear from places like Totally Workwear and RSEA, it’s important to consider adding UV protective gear like sun sleeves and shoulder wraps to your routine, especially during the hot summer months. Hi-vis UV sleeves can be an excellent alternative to long sleeves, offering sun protection without making you feel overheated.

The Importance of Sun Protection for Tradies

Builders, construction workers, and outdoor workers are often exposed to UV rays for long periods, significantly increasing their chances of developing skin cancer and suffering from skin damage. While sunscreen helps, it requires constant reapplication and can wear off during a hard day’s work. This is where sun protection clothing, like UV sun sleeves and shoulder wraps, becomes a crucial addition to your workwear.

Sun Protection for Tradies: Why It’s Crucial

Here’s why sun protection should be a priority for every tradie and outdoor worker:

  1. Skin Cancer Risk

    • Working in the sun without proper protection significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. The good news is that wearing UPF50+ sun sleeves and shoulder wraps can provide constant, high-level protection against harmful UV rays.

  2. Skin Damage

    • Even if you don’t burn easily, long-term exposure to UV rays leads to skin damage, including premature aging, sunspots, and an increased risk of cancer. Covering exposed areas with hi-vis UV sleeves and other sun protection clothing can reduce these risks.

  3. Hi-Vis and Sun Protection

    • Many tradies rely on hi-vis shirts and jackets for visibility on the job site, but long sleeves can make you overheat, especially in the summer. Hi-vis UV sleeves are a great alternative—they provide UPF50+ protection and keep your arms covered without causing you to overheat, allowing you to stay visible and sun-safe.

  4. Workwear That Lasts

    • Your workwear is designed to withstand tough environments, and your sun protection clothing should be no different. SParms offers UV protective gear that is durable, breathable, and comfortable, perfect for the long hours spent outdoors on a construction site.

The Benefits of SParms UV Clothing for Tradies

SParms has created gear specifically designed to meet the needs of outdoor workers and tradies. Here’s how our sun protection products can help you stay safe on the job:

  • Sun Sleeves: Our sun sleeves provide full coverage for your arms, protecting them from UV rays without restricting your movement. Whether you’re lifting heavy tools, hammering nails, or operating machinery, these sleeves keep your arms safe while staying breathable and comfortable.

  • Shoulder Wraps: The upper back and shoulders are often exposed to direct sunlight, especially when bending over or reaching up. SParms’ shoulder wraps offer added protection in these high-exposure areas, making them an essential part of your sun safety routine.

  • Gloves: Your hands are constantly in use while working with tools and materials, which means they are also exposed to the sun for long periods. Our gloves are designed to protect your hands without sacrificing grip or dexterity, allowing you to work safely and efficiently.

Hi-Vis Sun Protection Options for Tradies

Many tradies and builders already wear hi-vis clothing to stay visible and compliant on job sites, but long-sleeved hi-vis shirts can feel too hot in the summer. That’s where hi-vis UV sleeves come in. These sleeves provide the same UPF50+ sun protection as long sleeves, but with the added bonus of breathability and comfort.

While you can get your traditional hi-vis workwear from places like Totally Workwear or RSEA, it’s worth considering hi-vis UV sleeves as a summer-friendly alternative. These sleeves are lightweight, easy to wear, and perfect for outdoor work in hot conditions.

Not Just for Tradies – Essential for All Outdoor Workers

It’s not just tradies who need to worry about sun protection. Anyone who works outdoors for extended periods is at risk of UV exposure. This includes landscapers, gardeners, bricklayers, and even those working in agriculture or roadwork. SParms gear can be adapted to fit the specific needs of each of these jobs, providing ultimate sun protection without hindering movement or comfort.

Stay Sun-Safe with SParms

For outdoor workers, sun protection is as important as any other piece of safety gear. By wearing sun sleeves, shoulder wraps, and gloves, you’re not only protecting your skin from painful sunburn and long-term damage but also taking proactive steps to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

At SParms, we understand the challenges that come with working outdoors, and that’s why we’ve designed our UV protective clothing to be both functional and comfortable, without compromising on performance. Our UPF50+ sun protection products offer long-lasting protection, helping you stay safe while focusing on the job at hand.


Protect your skin and stay safe in the sun with SParms. Browse our range of sun sleeves, shoulder wraps, and more – your skin will thank you later!