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