On the page:
UV training and education for workplaces | Employer responsibilities | Outdoor workers | SunSmart tips to reduce UV exposure at work | Reflective UV | Vehicle glass and UV protection | Indoor workers | SunSmart tips for indoor workers
People who work outdoors in Australia receive up to 10 x more UV exposure than indoor workers, placing them at higher risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
Every UV exposure adds up. Help protect your workers from the damaging effects of UV and reduce their skin cancer risk.
UV training and education for workplaces
Each year in Australia, around 200 melanomas and 34,000 other skin cancers are diagnosed as the result of UV exposure in the workplace.
SunSmart has developed UV safety training programs and resources to help you meet your duty of care and protect your workforce from UV radiation – a serious health and safety hazard.
SunSmart has a range of online and in-person UV safety training programs and education that can be tailored to your workplace, whether your workforce is indoors, outdoors or a mix of both. We offer free workplace UV policy support to ensure the education is integrated into workplace policy and culture.
SunSmart also offers education to health and safety professionals.
SunSmart UV safety training
Employer responsibilities
Work health and safety legislation, specific to each Australian state or territory, has the clear objective of preventing illness and injury at work and saving lives. All employers or Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking must provide a safe working environment that is free of health risks, this includes reducing exposure to UV radiation at work.
Australian workplace health and safety legislation requires employers to protect workers from harmful UV radiation and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Implementing a comprehensive sun protection program can prevent UV-related injuries and reduce the personal and financial burden of skin cancer.
This includes responsibilities to provide and maintain a safe working environment and facilities and implement policies and procedures to control the risk of UV exposure as far as reasonably practicable. SunSmart offer free policy support to workplaces. Use our UV protection policy for workplaces who employ outdoor workers to review and update your workplace sun protection policy.
SunSmart policy support & education for Health & Safety professionals
Outdoor workers
People who work outdoors are exposed to UV all year round and should use five forms of sun protection every day.
Damage from UV exposure adds up over time so the more exposed you are, the greater your risk of skin cancer. That's why it's important to protect your skin all year round when working outdoors. Workers have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and must cooperate with employers’ efforts to improve health and safety in the workplace.
Download a guide for skin cancer and outdoor work for more information about UV, protecting workers, skin cancer prevention and early detection.
Download Skin Cancer & Outdoor Work
SunSmart tips to reduce UV exposure at work
Reflective UV
Consider different UV reflective surfaces around the workplace. Where possible, modify or move work away from UV reflective surfaces, such as soil, clay, or water.
Scheduling and breaks
Plan outdoor tasks for earlier in the morning or later in the day to avoid peak UV periods. Take breaks indoors or in shaded areas whenever possible.
Protective clothing
Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts with collars, and long trousers. Clothing made from UFP50+ material provides further UV protection. If a uniform is provided, ensure it is sun protective.
Sunscreen
Apply SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours and use SPF30 or higher lip balm. Keep sunscreen in a cool place and check the expiry date.
Wide brim hat
Wear a wide brim hat that shades your face, neck and ears or a construction helmet with brim attachment.
Adequate shade
Move jobs indoors or into shaded areas where feasible. If no shade is available, consider putting up temporary shade.
Sunglasses or eyewear
Wear wrap-around sunglasses (AS/NZS 1067 or with an EPF of 9 or 10) or appropriate safety glasses with UV protection.
Resources for your workplace
Reflected UV
Outdoor workers not only receive UV directly from the sun but UV also reflects off different surfaces increasing overall exposure.
Smooth, shiny, light surfaces such as aluminium, concrete and ceramic tiles reflect more UV. than natural, rough, dark-coloured surfaces.
When working outdoors, use all five forms of sun protection to prevent damage from direct and reflected UV.
Vehicle glass and UV protection
Glass reduces but doesn't block all UV radiation.
Laminated windscreens provide a Protection Factor (PF) of 50+ while the side windows typically provide only moderate protection (PF 12), unless tinted.
Consider tinting side and rear windows of vehicles and ensure vehicles have air conditioning so windows can remain closed.
If windows are not tinted, use sun protection for prolonged periods in the vehicle.
Indoor workers
Indoor workers can have high incidental and recreational sun exposure during lunch breaks and at the weekend, so it’s important to help your workforce understand UV risk and how they can reduce their exposure.
SunSmart tips for indoor workers
Know the UV for your location
Download the free SunSmart Global UV app or add the UV widget to your computer to check UV levels and when to use sun protection.
Clothing
Wear cool, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Keep a light wrap or long sleeve shirt at work to layer before heading outdoors.
Apply sunscreen
Apply SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen to exposed skin before going outside and reapply every two hours. Store sunscreen at work or have a pump pack in the staff bathroom.
Wide brim hat
Keep a wide brim hat that shades your face, neck and ears at work and put it on whenever you go outside.
Choose shade
Enjoy shady areas during breaks. Ensure shade is available in outdoor work areas or when attending outdoor events.
Sunglasses
Wear wrap-around sunglasses when you head outdoors. If you have a spare pair, leave them at work so you always have sunglasses handy.
Book UV safety training for your workplace