GENESIS-UV in occupational settings

The GENESIS-UV measurement system was developed for measurement of solar UV exposure at work and has been used in annual measurement campaigns since 2014. In 2020 and 2021, measurements were also conducted to assess UV exposure for leisure time activities.

For the purpose of UV exposure measurements, each participant is equipped with a GENESIS-UV measuring unit, which essentially consists of an electronic data logger/dosimeter, a tablet PC and accessories, stored in a padded suitcase. The system is programmed to automatically record data during the relevant hours of the day. By default, this means from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. At the end of each working week, the participants connect the dosimeter to the tablet. The data is encrypted and transferred via an online connection to a central database server, where it is stored and relayed to the IFA. The latest data is therefore received weekly from all regions in Germany, and regular inspection of the data reveals any technical faults immediately. Should an Internet connection not be available at the participant’s location, the data is stored on the tablet. The system can therefore also be operated fully autonomously as a standalone unit. With the GENESIS-UV measurement system, the IFA has enabled solar UV exposure to be measured remotely in national and international campaigns of any scale.

During the measurement campaigns employing GENESIS-UV conducted by the DGUV in cooperation with local social accident insurance institutions, detailed exposure data for a wide range of outdoor occupations was collected and analysed. Since 2014, 800 employees in various occupations have worn dosimeters on the upper arm each year from the beginning of April to the end of October, thereby enabling and supporting the measurements. Over 3 billion valid data records have been produced to date as a result, equating to well over 80,000 working days of measurement. The occupational profile is particularly important with regard to a specific individual’s exposure level. It describes which activities of an occupation and which time periods spent outdoors or in a vehicle contribute to which degree towards the personal exposure. The identified high exposure activities and time periods are also relevant for risk assessment. Furthermore, the occupational profile allows the estimation of the average time spent working outdoors.

List and profiles of occupations and tasks studied to date

For each occupation studied to date by means of GENESIS-UV, an occupational profile has been created relating it to the solar UV radiation exposure. The information relevant to work and exposure was structured for this purpose by means of the GENESIS-CODE developed at the IFA.

Latest results

The measurement results from 2014 to the present have been fully evaluated and published.

In Germany, it was previously assumed that persons who spend more than 75% of their working time outdoors are subject to high levels of exposure to solar UV radiation and must therefore be given particular consideration in terms of preventive measures. Analysis of the measurement data for occupational UV exposure obtained in the GENESIS-UV campaigns has enabled this definition to be updated.