Stricter Protection For Sunbed Users To Be Enforced

Picture by Whatsername on Flickr.

As of tomorrow new legislation will come into force in Wales with the intention of providing greater protection for people who use sun beds and ensure that they receive competent advice on the effects of artificial tanning.

There will be legal requirement for businesses which operate sun beds to provide informed advice to their customers regarding their skin type, correct exposure time, and the effects from artificial tanning.

All operators will also have to provide individual eye protection and posters or leaflets relating to or promoting the beneficial health effects of sun beds, will be banned.

The new law will also prohibit under 18’s from buying, hiring or even using a sun bed as it is recognised that the likelihood of developing skin cancer is increased if you have been sunburnt as a child or as a young person.

In response to the new legislation Wrexham County Borough Councils’ health and safety enforcement teams is working together to contact all the relevant business’s in order notify them of all the new changes.

During the months of November and December all premises with sun beds, including those that sell and hire sun beds, will be visited and provided with specific free advice and guidance explaining what premises need to do to comply with the new legislation.

Similarly dedicated training sessions have been organised in Wrexham during December and January for all sun bed businesses. This will ensure that they understand what is required and enable them to deliver competent advice to customers using sun beds.

Following the training further business revisits will take place between January and March 2012 to ensure that all premises have implemented the new measures and comply.

Toni Slater, Service Manager for Wrexham County Borough Council said:

“Wrexham County Borough Council are committed to ensuring that businesses understand their legal requirements and sun bed users are provided with competent advice and guidance on the effects of artificial tanning.”

Any business affected by the new legislation should contact Wrexham County Borough Council on 01978 298989.