Sun safety in the workplace: - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Sun safety in the workplace:

Toolbox talk for people working outdoors

The importance of sun safety

Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.

Two in three Australians will develop skin cancer before the age of 70 but the damage starts during the younger years

99% of skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet radiation (UVR), too much exposure to the sun.

Around 324,000 non-melanoma skin cancers and 3,700 cases of melanomas are diagnosed each year in Queensland.

People who work outdoors – high risk

People who work outdoors have a higher than average risk of developing common skin cancers

May receive 5 - 10 times more UVR exposure every year than indoor workers

Damage occurs as soon as the skin is exposed to the sun (UVR)

Damage is permanent and irreversible and increases with each exposureIn Queensland the UV Index is 3 or higher almost every day

What is the UV Index?

The UV index is a rating system with five categories:

Low: UV index of 1 - 2

Moderate: UV index of 3 - 5

High: UV index of 6 - 7Very high: UV index of 8 - 10Extreme: UV index of 11 and aboveSun protection is required for three and aboveCheck your local UV index by from the

Bureau of Meteorology at

http://www.bom.gov.au/uv/?ref=ftr

or downloading the SunSmart app.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR)

UVR is emitted from the sun

UVR can:

damage our skin without us knowing

cause cancer

be high even on cool and cloudy days

cannot be felt

pass through loosely woven clothes

bounce off reflective surfaces such as metal, concrete and water.

Source: The Cancer Council Victoria.

Shade for everyone: A practical guide for shade development.

Be SunSmart

every

day

Slip on sun protective clothing

Slop on SPF30 or higher sunscreen and reapply every two hours

Slap on a protective broad brimmed hat

Seek shade where possible

Slide on wrap around sunglasses that comply with Australian standards

Follow your employer’s sun protection policies and procedures to reduce exposure to UVR.

Use supplied protective equipment e.g. shade structures, clothing, sunscreen etc.

Get annual skin checks with a qualified health professional – watch for changes on your skin.

Take action

Group discussion

What are our main sun safety risk factors at work?

What jobs/tasks are we performing when we are at risk?

What can we do about it?

Remember

Report sun safety issues to your supervisor

Be sun smart:

wear sun-protective clothing (hat and sunglasses)

apply sunscreen work in the shade where possible.Have annual skin checksSee your doctor if your see changes in skin pigmentation

Resources

Workplace

Skin Cancer and Outdoor Work: A Guide for Employers

https://www.cancer.org.au/content/pdf/PreventingCancer/BeSunsmart/Skincanceroutdoorworkbooklet.pdf

Sun safety and skin cancerhttps://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/hazards/hazardous-exposures/sun-safety-and-skin-cancerCancer Council Qld QUEST workplace resourceshttps://cancerqld.org.au/cancer-prevention/programs-resources/quest/Sun protection in the workplace information and resourceshttps://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/sun-protection-in-the-workplace.html

Resources

Individual

Check your local UV index

http://www.bom.gov.au/uv/?ref=ftr

Download the SunSmart app http://www.sunsmart.com.au/tools/interactive-tools/free-sunsmart-app SunSmart resources: Skin check flyerhttp://www.sunsmart.com.au/downloads/resources/brochures/spot-the-difference-flyer.pdfCancer Council Queensland sun protection facts

https://cancerqld.org.au/cancer-prevention/understanding-risk/sun-protection/