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SUN PROTECTION IN THE WORKPLACE
Are your workers safe from the sun?
Australians have the highest rate of skin cancer in the
world. Skin cancer is a potentially fatal disease, mainly
caused
by over-exposure to ultraviolet or ‘UV’ radiation
in sunlight
The amount of sun exposure required to cause skin cancer
varies greatly from one person to another. However, in all
people, it is likely that the risk of skin cancer increases
with increasing amount of exposure to the sun.
Outdoor workers have a much higher risk of developing non-melanocytic
(the most common) skin cancers given the nature of their
work.
UV exposure is now a well-recognised workplace hazard for
all employees – full time, part time and contractors
who spend all or part of their working day outdoors exposed
to the sun.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1995 (Tasmania),
both employers and employees have responsibilities to reduce
the risk of all types of injury and other risks to health.
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Employers need to ensure that
their systems of work are safe, that supervision is adequate,
that education and training
is provided and the workplace is safe as far as
possible.
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Employees also have duty of care responsibilities
to comply with all instructions given by their
employer for
reasons of health and safety and not engage in risk taking behaviour.
SunSmart working with industry
SunSmart, the skin cancer control program of The Cancer
Council Tasmania aims to minimise the human cost of skin
cancer
in Tasmania
The SunSmart Workplace Program supports and assists organisations
to reduce any risks employees may face associated with
occupational exposure to UV radiation in sunlight.
To bring about change the SunSmart Workplace Program…
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Provides information, support,
ideas and feedback to workplaces.
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Develops and disseminates resources to assist organisations
in the development of comprehensive UV radiation
protection programs including the UV radiation protection policies.
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Assists organisations to develop and deliver their own skin
cancer programs and sun protection initiatives
targeting outdoor or indoor workers.
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Provides consultancy services to business on sun protection
policy issues.
SunSmart Speakers Service…
The Cancer Council Tasmania will provide trained staff
to visit your organisation to conduct an education session
on skin cancer issues.
Educating workers about skin cancer and sun protection
will help your employees understand more about the importance
of being SunSmart, not only at work, but in their leisure
time as well. Sessions are also available for supervisors,
management and/or health and safety professionals.
Education sessions are provided on a ‘fee for service’ basis.
In general topics covered include:
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Skin cancer - What is it, what causes it and who’s
at risk? 
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The nature of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
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Sun protection
and skin cancer prevention measures
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Early detection of skin
cancer - checking your own skin.
For information about education sessions contact your local
Cancer Support Centre
Sun protection for indoor workers
How many colleagues do you know who have come back from
a weekend with sunburn?
Indoor workers are at higher than average risk of melanoma
because of their intermittent exposure to the sun.
Make sun protection a priority at your workplace and you’ll
dramatically improve your employees’ sun habits.
Resources for Industry
The following resources have been designed to help you
to develop, implement and promote sun protection in your
workplace
or to provide additional information.
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Protecting your workers from
ultraviolet radiation in sunlight [booklet]
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Working outdoors: a skin cancer risk [brochure]
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Sun protection in the workplace [Information sheet]
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UV alert: your guide to sun protection
[brochure]
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Learn to look at your moles [bookmark]
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Skin spots to watch [information sheet]
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Sunglasses & eye protection [brochure]
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Sunscreen: how, what where & why [brochure]
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All these resources are available free of charge from your
local Cancer Support Centre.
Need more information on SunSmart Workplace services?
Contact the Health Promotion Officer at The Cancer Council
Tasmania on 6233 2030.
Cancer Helpline 13 11 20
Information about cancer and support services for the cost
of a local call.
CANCER SUPPORT CENTRES
| 180-184 Collins Street, HOBART |
103 Oldaker Street, DEVONPORT |
| 5/216 Charles Street, LAUNCESTON |
54 Cattley Street, BURNIE |
CANCER COUNCL HELPLINE 13 11 20
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