SunSmart urges Victorian workplaces to implement policies to prevent skin cancer: new research reveals gaps

SunSmart is urging Victorian workplaces to treat ultraviolet (UV) radiation as the serious occupational hazard that it is.

The call is backed by a new Cancer Council Victoria survey, showing while most Victorian businesses with outdoor workers do have a sun protection policy, 1 in 5 (21%) still do not.

This is despite Australia having the highest skin cancer rates in the world, and the survey findings clearly showing a sun protection policy leads to better sun safety behaviours and practices in the workplace.

According to the survey, businesses with a policy were more likely to provide outdoor workers with potentially life-saving sun protection gear, such as UV-protective clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses and hats, compared to workplaces without a policy.

Head of SunSmart, Emma Glassenbury, said it’s positive to see majority of workplaces taking sun protection seriously, but given the clear benefits, SunSmart wants to ensure every Victorian workplace with outdoor workers has a sun protection policy in place.

“You wouldn’t expect workplaces to cut corners on safety measures like hard hats, hi-vis vests or steel-capped boots. But according to this new data, some Victorian employers are still skipping policies and practices that protect workers from a serious safety hazard – the sun’s UV rays.”

“Australia has some of the harshest UV radiation and highest skin cancer rates in the world and outdoor workers receive up to ten times more UV exposure than indoor workers. This repeated exposure can add up over time, increasing workers’ risk of skin damage and skin cancer.”

Warren is a retired horticulturalist from Footscray who had melanoma that spread to his brain, intestines, and liver. Thankfully now cancer-free after years of treatment, Warren believes workplaces need to do more to protect outdoor workers from UV damage.

“They called me a dead man walking at first diagnosis. But somehow, I made it through. I defied the odds and am one of the lucky ones. But when you learn just how preventable melanoma is, it makes you ask why all workplaces in Victoria aren’t being held to higher standards.”

“I am certain my hours working in the sun contributed to my melanoma diagnosis. I remember times when us blokes were out in the blazing sun wearing just shorts and singlets, with nothing else to protect our skin. If I knew then what I know now, I would have covered up in a heartbeat.”

WorkSafe Victoria Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said employers must protect workers from harm due to exposure to UV radiation, just like any other workplace hazard.

“Sun protection is an essential part of workplace safety for anyone working out in the elements, even if they’re only outdoors for part of the day,” Mr Jenkin said.

“Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to reduce the risks associated with UV exposure – that means having systems and processes in place to ensure workers have appropriate sun protection throughout the work day.”

Ms Glassenbury said sun protection policies also help influence workplace communication practices, with the survey finding workplaces without a policy communicated with staff about UV radiation protection on 23 days a year on average, compared to 44 days a year in organisations with a policy.

“Whether in construction, manufacturing, farming or transport, every worker deserves to feel safe and protected on the job. We know that sun protection policies help shape healthier behaviours and cultures around sun safety in workplaces. All businesses that employ outdoor staff have a responsibility to have a sun protection policy in place,” said Ms Glassenbury.

Ms Glassenbury is encouraging all workplaces with outdoor workers to enrol in SunSmart’s UV Safety training and seek out their sun protection policy support services, especially as Victoria heads into its sun protection season when the UV consistently reaches high and extreme levels.

“Skin cancer is largely preventable, yet it remains the most common cancer in our state. Protecting outdoor workers from sun exposure through more policies, education and strengthened sun protection habits will help prevent skin cancer and ultimately save lives,” she concluded.

For information, resources, policy support and training for workplaces, visit www.sunsmart.com.au/advice-for/workplaces

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About SunSmart:

The SunSmart program is delivered in partnership with VicHealth and Cancer Council Victoria. SunSmart is one of the longest running – and most successful – skin cancer prevention and early detection programs in the world. The program is dedicated to reducing skin cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality.

SunSmart Victoria’s workplace program helps businesses to develop and implement sun protection policies. The program also offers UV safety training sessions for outdoor workers. In the last financial year alone, the specialised training reached more than 6,000 Victorians.

About the research:

This survey was conducted from 12 November – 26 November 2024 by Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer. More than 500 responses were collected over this time period. Participants were predominantly decision-makers, such as executives, senior managers and/or other employees involved in policy development and implementation.

Data tables: