Does your workplace require employees to work outdoors for some or part of the day? Australia has one of the highest levels of skin cancer in the world and with outdoor workers receiving between five and 10 times more sun-exposure than indoor workers, it's important all worksites have a comprehensive sun protection program and policy in place. Is your workplace protected from the sun?
The workplace is a major source of sun-exposure for many Australians so it's not surprising that outdoor workers who are required to spend long periods of time working in the sun, year after year, have a higher than average risk of skin cancer.
When it comes to health in the workplace, prevention is far better than cure. Business SA member,
Cancer Council SA, recommends workplaces have a comprehensive sun-protection program in place that includes:
- Risk assessment: periodic assessment of the UVR exposure risk to all workers
- Sun protection control measures: the introduction and maintenance of protective measures in line with occupational hazard controls
- Training workers to work safely in the sun; the provision of information, instruction, training and supervision of workers
- Sun protection policy: documentation of the program, including control measures in a written policy
- Monitoring program effectiveness; a process to determine the effectiveness of control measures and identify changes that may further reduce exposure.
For further assistance with the implementation of a sun-protection program,
click here to download Cancer Council SA's
Skin Cancer and Outdoor Work: A Guide for Employers.
For further assistance with the prevention of skin cancer - contact Cancer Council SA on (08) 8291 4111 or visit
www.cancersa.org.au