Skin cancer - protecting outdoor workers

People who work outdoors are in one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer. They are more likely to develop skin cancer as a result of long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun’s rays. Your employer has a duty of care to protect you from sun damage. There is a range of methods that you and your employer can introduce to reduce your exposure to the sun.

Sun protection is a workplace issue
Sun protection is an important workplace health and safety issue. Your employer has a responsibility to provide a safe environment for you and your colleagues. Talk to your employer about introducing the protection methods listed below to your workplace.

Protecting yourself from the sun
There are many ways to protect yourself from the sun while working outside, for example:

• Rotate shifts or change work times – try to arrange your work so that you are not outside during the hottest part of the day; that is, from 10am to 2pm or 11am to 3pm (daylight savings time).
• Use shelter – if the job or work times cannot be changed, look at ways to provide shelter or shade where you work.
• Wear protective clothing – wear proper outdoor work clothes, like a shirt with long sleeves and a collar. The fabric should be close-weave to restrict sunlight and UV radiation penetration. Clothes that are specially designed for sun protection will carry a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating on their tags. The higher the UPF number, the greater the protection from UV radiation. UPF 50+ gives the best protection.
• Wear a hat – protect your head with a broad-brimmed or legionnaire’s hat, or ask your employer to provide a helmet guard that fits over your hard hat.
• Wear sunglasses – everyone should wear wraparound style sunglasses, which protect the eyes from UV radiation that can cause eye trauma (temporary blindness, soreness from the glare and even cataracts). There is a wide range of effective and inexpensive sunglasses available. Choose a pair that meet the Australian Standard (AS1067).
• Use broad spectrum SPF 30⁺ sunscreen – apply broad spectrum SPF 30⁺ sunscreen, 20 minutes before you go outside, and then reapply regularly throughout the day. Waterproof sunscreen is best, as it won’t easily sweat or rub off. Remember, no sunscreen can block out 100 per cent of UV rays, so always use sunscreen with other means of protection.

• The Cancer Council Helpline Tel. 13 11 20
• Multilingual Cancer Information Line, Victoria
• Your doctor
• Your local community health centre
• Your occupational health and safety officer

• Outdoor workers are in one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer.
• Your employer has a duty of care to protect you from sun damage.
• Talk to your employer about introducing sun protection methods to the workplace.
• Never rely on sunscreen alone. You can still get sunburnt – even when wearing sunscreen – if you spend considerable time in the sun.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:


(Logo links to further information)