Health & Safety > Sun Protection Procedure
Authorised by Chief Executive Officer
Issue Date: 10 September 2021
Introduction
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes skin, eye damage, and is the main cause of skin cancer in Australia. In most people, the risk of skin cancer increases with increasing amount of exposure to the sun. In addition, the pattern of sun exposure is important for melanoma and probably basal cell carcinoma (BCC), as short bursts of intense sunlight increase the risk of both cancers.
Outdoor participants/workers can be exposed to UV radiation, both by direct sunlight and by reflection from surrounding surfaces, such as concrete, glass, metal, sand and large bodies of water. Under workplace safety laws, employers are required to maintain a safe and healthy workplace and it is important they take steps to protect participants/workers from UV radiation in sunlight and reduce hazards associated with in a hot and sunny environment.
Participants/workers who attend activities or work outside also have an obligation to cooperate with their support workers/employers in reducing the risk to their health from exposure to the sun. Even when working in the shade or under cover it is important for outdoor participants/workers to continue to wear sun protection in the shade to avoid the risk of sun damage through UV radiation.
This procedure supports Kyeema Support Services to apply Standard 6: Service Management of the NDIS Practice Standards.
Scope
This procedure applies to all participants/workers including permanent and casual, contract workers, temporary agency workers, and volunteers.
Procedure
The aim of this procedure is to minimise the exposure of any outdoor participant/worker to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). UVR is recognised as a risk to health. As a result, risk assessment procedures apply. The measures outlined below reflect a risk management approach.
Risk assessment
A risk assessment can be used to identify situations where participants/workers are exposed to the sun. Factors that influence UVR exposure within the workplace to consider include:
•Work tasks and/or breaks where exposure occurs
•The total amount of exposure occurring over the course of the day whether a single ongoing episode or a series of episodes which add up over the day
•Times of the day when participants/workers are exposed. UV radiation is most intense between 10am and 3pm when the sun is more directly overhead and the distance sunlight has to travel through the atmosphere is shortest.
•Existing sun protection available location of reflective surfaces such as shiny materials, light coloured concrete and paintwork, reflective building glass, corrugated steel, aluminium roofing, sand, water, some soils and even grass.
•If work involves long periods in a vehicle extra protection should be taken to reduce exposure even though vehicle glass offers some protective from UV radiation.
•Use of photosensitising substances, which can cause the skin to be more sensitive to UV radiation and thus worsen the adverse health effects of exposure – check the substance’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
•Season, latitude and altitude. The time of year and the latitude of where you are working make very significant differences to UV radiation levels. UV radiation levels are more intense during the summer months and the closer you are to the equator. The intensity of UV radiation increases around 4% with every 300mm rise above sea level. Therefore working at higher altitudes will increase levels of UV radiation exposure significantly.
•Exposure to artificial sources of UV radiation including electric and plasma arc welding and cutting tools, gas or vapour pressure discharge lamps used in lighting, curing paint, inks and other materials, bacterial and fungicidal cabinets and lamps, solariums and ultraviolet lamps, some molten metal presses.
Risk Control
•Strategies to reduce risk may include:
•Increasing the amount of shade provided and used in the outdoor programs and workplace – move to the shade of trees or buildings, use portable or erect permanent shade structures
•Modifying reflective surfaces
•Rescheduling outdoor programs/work activities to outside the strongest period of the day (10am to 3pm).
•Rotating workers between indoor and outdoor tasks
•Education by providing participants/workers with information outlining the hazards of UV radiation and protection measures to be used. Display warning signs to remind participants/workers of the risk.
•Provision of personal protective clothing and equipment including:
•Sun protective work clothes – shirts with long or three-quarter length sleeves and a collar and be made from a close weave, breathable fabric with ultraviolet protection factor rating of 40, 45, 50 or 50+. Loose fitting long trousers or shorts at least to the knee.
•Broad brimmed hats made of a close weave material.
•Sunglasses that comply with Australian Standard AS 1067 and screen out at least 99% of UV light. Sunglasses should be glare resistant, light weight, comfortable and fit closely to the face – preferably wrap around versions.
•Sunscreen – broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a SPF 30+ used in conjunction with the above measures. Apply generously to all exposed skin at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours.
Responsibilities
Participants:
•wear a broad brimmed hat outdoors where possible
•cover up and wearing closely-woven, loose shirts with long sleeves, collars and long trousers or skirts
•wear sunglasses which meet Australian Standards and applying broad spectrum sun screen (SPF 15+ or 30+)
•keep hydrated
Workers: This procedure will cover all workers, including casual, temporary and permanent and volunteers and supported workers. Workers are required to:
•making use of shade over the work area or wear a broad brimmed hat
•cover up and wearing closely-woven, loose shirts with long sleeves, collars and long trousers or skirts
•wear sunglasses which meet Australian Standards and applying broad spectrum sun screen (SPF 15+ or 30+)
•keep hydrated.
Contractors: Contractors must meet the minimum PPCE requirements at their own costs.
Managers/supervisors:
•Ensure that suitable PPCE is readily available to all workers and participants if needed.
•providing and maintaining equipment and shelter to protect participants/workers from the sun
•designing systems of work to reduce the amount of time workers spend in the sun
•providing information, instruction, training and supervision needed by workers
•rotating tasks to lessen exposure time and changing work times by scheduling work to cooler times of the day.
•ensure compliance with the procedure
Related documents
Water Activity Safety Checklist SF-32
Green Fingers Training and Safety Procedure
Induction Information specific to Windward Industries
Safe Work Procedure
Related legislation and guides
The WorkCover guide Skin cancer and outdoor workers – A guide for employers provides practical advice on sun protection and workplace safety obligations for employers and workers
National Standards for Disability Services
National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguarding Framework