Skin Cancer - What are your sun protection policies?

Skin Cancer in the workplace

As people continue to work past the age of retirement, the incidence of skin cancer diagnosis while still at work will become more common. What are your sun protection guidelines or policies for helping those diagnosed with melanoma? 

According to Cancer Council WA, 1,360 workers compensation claims for sun-related injury/disease were made in Australia from 2000-2009, at a total cost of $38.4 million. According to the report, while this figure is likely to increase, it can be reduced if correct sun policies and practices are put in place by businesses. This is particularly important given that almost one third of the workforce in this country is exposed to direct sunlight during work hours.

Each year some 440,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer and more than 1850 lose their lives to the disease due to overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Using personal protective equipment (PPE), rotating outdoor workers shifts, tinted windows, rescheduling outdoor tasks and ongoing staff training is a must to protect against the rise of skin cancers.

When it comes to protecting the skin, workers should be regularly educated about sun safety including these five simple measures:

• Seek shade whenever possible
• Wear sun-protective clothing that covers as much of the body as possible
• Put on a broad-brimmed hat that shades the face and neck
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses
• Apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen every two hours
• Try to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, the hottest part of the day. 

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Being able to assist an employee who has been diagnosed with malignant skin cancer is just as important, especially if they are having surgery and receiving medication following diagnosis. Our Core Health Assist Program can be particularly useful during this time as we work alongside both you and your employee to find the ideal balance between sustainable work and ongoing treatment. 

Want to know more about our Core Health Assist Program? Click here.

Sources: Cancer Council Australia, Cancer Council Australia’s Skin Cancer Committee, Skin cancer and outdoor work: A guide for employers. 2012, Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria. Cancer Council WA.