Skin cancer - protecting outdoor workers

Skin cancer is a high risk for outdoor workers. Anyone who works outdoors for all or part of the day is at risk as a result of long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun’s rays. There are various ways that you and your employer can reduce your exposure to the sun.

Under Australian occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, employers have a duty of care to protect you from ongoing exposure to UV radiation that can lead to skin cancer. Employees also have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and cooperate with employers’ efforts to improve health and safety.

Sun protection is a workplace issue
Sun protection is an important workplace health and safety (OHS) issue. Your employer has a responsibility to provide a safe environment for you and your colleagues.

Talk to your employer about introducing simple protective methods to your workplace. This is important to prevent sun-related injuries and reduce the suffering and costs associated with skin cancer. It is in your employer’s interests to provide a safe working environment, as employee ill-health can reduce productivity, morale and financial returns.

Protecting yourself from the sun
There are many ways to protect yourself from the sun while working outside. When the UV Index is 3 and above:

• Use shade – work and take breaks in the shade. Where no shade exists, use temporary portable shade.
• Change work times – try to arrange your work so that you are not outside between 10am and 3pm, when UV levels are most intense.
• Rotate staff – share outdoor tasks so the same person is not always out in the sun.
• Wear protective clothing – aim to cover as much skin as possible, by wearing work shirts with long sleeves and a collar and long pants. Choose lightweight fabric that is closely woven to restrict sunlight and UV radiation penetration, but allows air movement to keep you cool in the heat. Clothes that are specially designed for sun protection will carry an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 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 – wear a broad-brimmed or legionnaire hat to shade your face, ears and neck or ask your employer to provide a helmet guard that fits over your hard hat.
• Wear sunglasses – choose close–fitting, wraparound sunglasses. There is a wide range of cheap and effective sunglasses available. Choose a pair that meets Australian Standard AS 1067 and that are safe for driving. Also look for an eye protection factor (EPF) of 10.
• Use SPF 30+ sunscreen – make sure your sunscreen is broad spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays) and rated as SPF (sun protection factor) 30+. Apply generously, 20 minutes before you go outside, and then reapply every two hours or more often throughout the day. Waterproof sunscreen is best, as it won’t easily sweat or rub off. Remember, no sunscreen provides complete protection, so never rely on sunscreen alone. Remember to protect your lips with an SPF 30+ lip balm, always check and follow the use-by date on your sunscreen and store below 30ºC.

• Undertake a solar UV radiation risk assessment periodically
• Provide training for employees to work safely in the sun
• Develop a UV protection policy.

• WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Service Tel. (03) 9641 1444 or 1800 136 089
• 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 overexposure to UV radiation.
• 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.

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