Guidelines and policy
Developing a workplace UV protection program
Employers are required to provide a safe working environment, according to health and safety legislation. This includes taking steps to reduce the health risks of occupational exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Employers, in consultation with employees, should identify UV hazards and introduce control measures to reduce exposure.
Employees have a duty of care to take care of their own health and safety. They should cooperate with employers' efforts to improve health and safety. To work safely in the sun, employees should follow workplace sun protection policies and practices, attend training and use supplied protective equipment as instructed.
Help to develop your program
- Skin cancer and outdoor work: a guide for employers [pdf 1.55M] provides more information about control measures, how to confidently address sun protection in your workplace and evaluate compliance.
- Download the sample UV risk assessment [pdf 557K] to help identify current workplace UV risks.
- Download the sample sun protection policy for workplaces [pdf 75K] to use as a basis for developing a policy for your organisation.
- Download the brochure Skin cancer and outdoor work: a guide to working safely in the sun [pdf 532K] for employee information.
Also refer to:
- Sun protection: when working outdoors for information for employees
- Sun protection in the workplace Cancer Council Australia position statement
- Guidance note for the protection of workers from ultraviolet radiation in sunlight from the Australian Safety and Compensation Council
- Radiation protection standard for occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
- WorkSafe Victoria for industry specific sun protection information
- Creating effective shade: shade audit tool
