sunsmart

Working safely in the sunA guide for outdoor workers

Why talk about skin cancer?� Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world with 2/3

Australians diagnosed with Skin Cancer before the age of 70.

� Every year approximately 440,000 cases are diagnoses and 1,850 deaths – which is greater than the nations road toll

� Yearly costs to the healthcare system are in excess of $500 million

� 2/3 of deaths are men

� Melanoma in WA (2008)� 1082 diagnosed� 123 deaths� Most common cancer in 15 to 39 year olds

� The Good news is that skin cancer is preventableImage courtesy of Queensland Health

Non-melanoma skin cancerBasal cell carcinoma (BCC)

– 67% of cases

– Grow slowly (months to years)

– Common sites include head, neck and upper body

– Strongly associated with shorter, high UV exposures and sunburn

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)– 31% of cases

– Grow rapidly (months)

– Sun exposed sites including lips, ears and balding scalp

– Common in outdoor workers

BCC

SCC

Melanoma

� Less than 2% of skin cancers, but 4th most common cancer in Australia

� Most dangerous & aggressive

� Starts in a freckle, mole or normal skin and can occur in sites that are not often exposed to the sun

� Grow and spread rapidly (weeks to months)

Melanoma

Other damage from UVSolar keratosis: sun spots – pink, scaly, not

skin cancer but a warning of sun damage

� Sunburn

� Wrinkling and premature aging

� Eye Damage

Short term:Excessive blinkingSwellingDifficulty looking at strong lightPhoto keratopathy, snow-blindness

Solar keratosis

Sunburn

Cataract Pterygium

Long term:CataractsPterygiumCancers

The UV Index

0-2

Low

3-5

Moderate

6-7

High

8-10

Very high

11+

Extreme

0 to 2 You can safely enjoy being outside

3 to 7 Seek shade during midday hours. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen slide on sunnies and slap on a hat

8 or Limit time outside during more midday hours. Make sure you

Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek & Slide

UV across Australia

SummerMonthly mean clear-sky UV Index: 12

WinterMonthly mean clear-sky UV Index: 7

Source: Bureau of Meteorology (www.bom.gov.au)

SunSmart UV Alert

Reported when the UV index for the day is moderate: 3 or above – based on clear sky day.Can be found in the West Australian and Sunday Times, also on some radio and TV weather reports, BOM website, or iPhone app.

Who is at risk of skin cancer?

All Australians, but particularly those who:� Have fair skin� Have fair or reddish hair� Have freckles or many moles� Burn easily and cannot easily develop a

tan� Have a family history of melanoma� Spent their childhood in Australia� Works or spend a lot of leisure time in

the sun� Do not protect their skin from the sun� Use solariums or sun beds (artificial

tanning devices)

How can Centurion protect you?� Risk assessment

� Sun protection control measureso Engineering controls (shade,

window tinting)o Administration controlso Sun protective PPE

� Training employees to work safely in the sun

� Sun protection policy

� Monitoring program effectiveness

What can you do?

� Employees also have a duty to take care to their own health and safety and cooperate with employers’ efforts to improve health and safety.

� Be Sun Smart

Be Sun Smart!

1. Slip on protective clothing

2. Slop on SPF 30+ sunscreen

3. Slap on a hat

4. Seek shade

5. Slide on some sunglasses

Slip on sun protective clothing

� Long sleeves (driving sleeves are an option for those in a vehicle)

� Long shorts or trousers

� Collar/high neckline

� Fabrics with close weave, natural fibres and medium colour

� Loose fitting

� UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) 50+

Slop on sunscreen

� Do not rely on sunscreen alone!

� Choosing a sunscreen:– SPF 30+– Broad spectrum– Water resistant– Valid expiry date

� Store below 30°C e.g. Esky, office, cooler bag

Image courtesy of Cancer Council

How to apply sunscreen

� Do not rub in, instead layer it on

� Apply 20 minutes before going out to clean, dry skin

� Reapply every 2 hours or more if sweating, towel drying or swimming

� Look for different varieties for different needs� e.g. non greasy, dry touch, sensitive, sport/active

Slap on a hat

� Look for a hat that is:o Broad brim: 7.5cmo Bucket hat: 6cmo Legionnaire style (back flap)o Detachable neck flaps for hard hats

� Fabric should be 50+ UPF and a close weave

� No caps! They leave the neck, ears and side of face exposed.


Seek shade

� Whenever possible seek shade whether it be from existing built structures, shade from trees or portable shade

� Spend work break times inside or in the shade.

� Ask your supervisor if it is possible for additional shade provision if you think their isn’t enough.

Slide on some sunglasses

� Don’t forget to wear sunglasses because the sun also damages your eyes! Look for styles that:

o Meet Australian standards or have an EPF of 9 or 10o Are close fitting, wrap around in style


Checking your skin

� Look for:– New spots– Changing spots– Non-healing sores

� Ask your doctor, partner of friend to check hard to see spots like your back and scalp.

� Any concerns, see your doctor straight away


Melanoma – ABCD


In summary� Be Sun Smart, protect yourself in five ways:

1. Slip on sun protective clothing

2. Slop on SPF 30+ sunscreen

3. Slap on a brimmed hat

4. Seek shade

5. Slide on some sunglasses

� Take extra care in the middle of the day when UV radiation is most intense

� Check your skin regularly

� Visit your GP if you notice any spots with changes in size, shape or colour.

Thanks to the

Cancer Council Helpline13 11 20

www.cancerwa.asn.au/sunsmart

Sun Smart Workplace CoordinatorLauren Zappa

[email protected]

For more information

Cancer Council

Working safely in the HeatA guide for everyone

Heat Stress

� Heat stress is most likely in summer � Heat stress affects: simple discomfort to life

threatening � Some people are simply less tolerant of heat than

others� Employers need to have a safe system of work that

does not penalise these people � Employees are required to take reasonable care to

ensure their own safety and health at work

What is Heat Stress

� Dehydration

� Heat Cramps

� Heat Exhaustion

� Heat Stroke

Heat stress - contributing factors� High Temperatures� High Humidity� Low movement of air� Radiant temperature of surroundings� Person’s clothing� Physical activity� Lack of acclimatisation� Physically unfit or overweight � Age and medically condition� Being on certain medications� Use of Drugs� Heart or circulatory disorders� Alcohol � Clothing� Not acclimatised

Your body’s cooling system

� In very hot conditions the only way heat can be lost is by evaporation of sweat.

� Water lost as sweat must be replaced

� Even if you don’t feel thirsty you need to drink water, juices or other non-alcoholic drinks in sufficient amounts and frequency to avoid to replace the water and avoid dehydration

Assessing DehydrationA simple check of your urine colour

Acclimatisation

� The body is able to adjust it’s heat regulation mechanisms to suit the environment – ie people become acclimatised.

� Most acclimatisation occurs in the first four to se ven days and is fully effective in about 2 weeks

� Over this period, physical activity should start be low normal work load and be gradually increased

Precautions� Replace fluid loss by drinking more water – 100 to 2 00ml

at frequent intervals

� Keep out of sunlight wherever possible (use the sha de of an umbrella, a broad brimmed hat or work in shad e)

� Have rest pauses in a cool place

� Help your sweat evaporate by wearing loose lightwei ght clothing to allow air to circulate around your body

� Allow time to acclimatise if working in hot conditi ons for the first time or resuming after a break away

� Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Symptoms of Heat Stress and how to deal with them

� Agitation or confusion� Dry mouth and mucous

membranes� Increased heart rate� Less frequent urination� Mental changes � Pale, cool and clammy skin

Rest in the coolest available place and

drink cool but not cold fluids.

Seek medical advice if there is no rapid improvemen t

� Clumsy� Collapse� Dizziness� Dry skin� Headache� Very

sweaty

� Fatigue� Fitting� Thirst� Sick

Heat Stroke – can be life threatening

� Person will have stopped sweating

� Body temperature will be high

� Skin hot and dry

� Confusion and loss of consciousness may occur

� The person should be treated by a doctor as a matter of urgency.

� Until medical aid is available cool the person as quickly as possible.

� soak clothing in water or splash water on skin

� increase air movement by fanning

� give fluids if possible

Thanks to the

http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/worksafe

For more information

Department of CommerceWork Safe WA

Assessment

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