LANGLEY, B.C. – The agricultural health and safety association for British Columbia is telling farms in the province that protecting outdoor workers from sun and heat stress in the summer is the employer’s responsibility. Agricultural workers are about three times more likely to develop skin cancer than indoor workers are, due to high sun exposure, according to a media release that AgSafe B.C. sent out on Aug. 10. The organization offered tips for minimizing sun exposure and preventing heat stress for farm employees, such as using sunscreen, wearing loose-fitting clothes and wide-brimmed hats, wearing sunglasses, drinking water regularly and taking breaks in shady areas. Additionally, employers should minimize outdoor work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. “There are resources available for those who employ outdoor workers to help them develop and implement a sun and heat safety plan,” AgSafe executive director Wendy Bennett said in a press statement. “The key is controlling the worker’s exposure to sun and the possibility of heat stress,” she added, noting that farm equipment that gives off heat can increase the risk. Employers should look out for signs of heat stress, which include extreme fatigue, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps and quick shallow breathing, AgSafe stated.