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With South Australian summers being well known for their extreme heat and dryness and damaging levels of ultraviolet radiation for most of the year, we remind employers of their responsibility to manage risks associated with heat stress and overexposure to UV radiation.

Australia has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. It is a largely preventable disease yet, two in every three Australians will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Each year in Australia around 200 melanomas and 34,000 non melanoma skin cancers (nmsc) are due to occupational ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure.

Duty holders, principal contractors, builders, labour hire agencies and employers must identify and control solar UV radiation exposure risks and heat related hazards, so far as reasonably practicable.

Duty holders should consult, coordinate, and cooperate with each other to minimise the risk of thermally stressful situations and the risk of overexposure to UV radiation to workers, through a risk management approach.

Stopping work due to heat

The Work Health and Safety laws do not specify a ‘stop work’ temperature. A single ‘stop work’ temperature would not capture the range of factors which make working in heat hazardous, including humidity, air flow, the physical intensity and duration of the work, and whether workers are physically fit and acclimatised to the conditions.

In some workplaces, a heat clause is included in the employment agreements. For workplaces that do not have this clause, PCBU are to follow the WHS laws and provide a safe work environment.

See Safe Work Australia's FAQs for working in heat for further details.

Employer responsibilities

Employers have a duty of care to ensure they are not putting their workers’ health and safety at risk. Employers should be familiar with the Managing the Work Environment and Facilities - Code of Practice.

Unless it is specified in workplace employment agreements, the work health and safety legislation does not set temperatures at which a worker may be sent home, nor does it determine acceptable levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Each workplace environment is different, and the onus is on the employer to manage any risks, in consultation with their workers. If it is not possible to eliminate exposure to UVR or increased temperature, the risk of skin damage and heat-related illness must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.

Some practical suggestions for employers to minimise these risks include:

Risk control for heat

Risk control for UV

  • identify hazards associated with working in the heat and UVR exposure

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  • plan ahead and ensure all practicable measures for preventing heat illness and   overexposure to UVR can be implemented

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  • alter work schedules so that work is done on a different day, during cooler times   of the day or outside of peak UV times (such as early morning or late   afternoon)

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  • provide cool drinking water, which is close to the work area to encourage hydration

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  • ensure all workers are aware of heat stress symptoms so they can monitor themselves   and their workmates

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  • provide workers with access to shelter, additional rest breaks

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  • move work indoors if possible

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  • create cool down areas

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  • enable workers to take regular breaks or rotate with others where possible to reduce   their exposure to UVR and heat sources

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  • utilise fans, misters and air-conditioners

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  • move workers away from other heat sources in the workplace

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  • provide suitable protection against UVR, including sun protective clothing (such as   collared tops, long sleeved shirts and long trousers) and sun protective hats   and/or hat attachments (e.g. broad brimmed), SPF 50+ broad-spectrum water   resistant sunscreen and close fitting sunglasses (that meet ANZ standards)
 

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  • provide training and education opportunities for workers and encourage a positive culture around health and safety

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  • encourage workers to keep an eye on each other and role model sun protective behaviours

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  • most importantly, make your controls available to workers and encourage their use.

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See Safe Work Australia's resources below, for more information:

Worker responsibilities

Unless it is specified in workplace employment agreements, the work health and safety legislation does not set temperatures at which a worker may be sent home, nor does it determine acceptable levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Each workplace environment is different, and the onus is on the employer to manage any risks, in consultation with their workers.

Workers have a responsibility to contribute to the management of risks and to take care of their own health and should:

Risk control for heat

Risk control for UV

  • follow all reasonable instructions from their employer

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  • drink enough water to remain hydrated

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  • look after their work colleagues, recognise symptoms of heat related illness and   know when to seek medical treatment

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  • take responsibility for the health of their skin by wearing a broad brimmed hat,   sun protective clothing that cover both arms and legs, and close fitting   sunglasses, applying sunscreen and working in the shade where possible
 

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  • be role models and encourage co-workers to protect their skin and eyes from UV   radiation
 

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  • raise any work health and safety concerns with your employer or Health Safety   Representative.

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Visit the following websites for more information:

Heat illnesses

Know the warning signs

View our warning signs infographic to easily identify symptoms of heat illnesses.

Contributing factors

Heat-related illness is very serious and can be fatal, but most importantly, is preventable. Heat illnesses occur when your body absorbs more heat from your environment than you can physically get rid of through perspiration or other cooling mechanisms. Some reasons why workers may experience heat-related illness are:

  • if they are exposed to direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day with no shade relief
  • if they are carrying out strenuous tasks or work for sustained long periods in hot conditions
  • if they are exposed to reflected heat from construction materials, polished aluminium and glass, or heat build-up in roads and concrete structures
  • if they are exposed to additional heat (from machinery).

Other factors that may contribute to heat-related problems at work include:

  • inadequate cooling off or rest periods and insufficient water consumption
  • climatic conditions (low air movement, high humidity, high air temperature and high radiant heat)
  • inappropriate clothing (non-breathable materials)
  • individual medication that may affect the body’s temperature regulation
  • things that may cause dehydration such as poor diet, vomiting, diarrhoea or excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption
  • individual medical conditions such as heart problems, diabetes and hypertension
  • increasing age, poor general physical fitness or being overweight
  • new workers that are not acclimatised or young workers who underestimate risks
  • workers not recognising symptoms of heat related illness.

There are a range of medical conditions that can arise when the body is unable to cope properly with working in the heat. Heat illness can occur if the worker starts:

  • vomiting or feels nauseous
  • feeling dizzy or weak
  • feeling clumsy, light headed and/or faints.

Heat stroke

Heat stroke is perhaps the most serious temperature-related illness as it is life-threatening and requires immediate first aid and medical attention. Signs and symptoms to look out for include:

  • a high body temperature of 40°C
  • flushed and dry skin
  • a pounding, rapid pulse.

Heat stress

Heat stress can be caused by physical exertion outdoors in hot weather or by working in hot and cramped work areas that have poor ventilation.

Symptoms to be on the lookout include:

  • pale, cool, clammy skin
  • rapid breathing and shortness of breath
  • a rapid or weak pulse.

Heat discomfort

The more common outcome of living in a hot country like Australia is to experience heat discomfort. This is what many people feel when it is hot, although, unlike heat illness and stroke, it is not a medical condition and isn’t considered a risk to health.

Those who work in office-type environments or do minimal physical work are unlikely to suffer from a heat illness. What they experience as a result of higher temperature and increased humidity is most likely heat discomfort.

There are several simple solutions that office environments and other indoor areas can do to properly manage heat discomfort such as:

  • increasing air movement
  • providing access to cool water
  • providing air conditioning (if practical)
  • wearing suitable light and loose fitting clothing.

The following general conditions are considered to be comfortable for people working indoors and doing light work and include:

  • keeping the air temperature between 23°C and 26°C
  • maintaining a relative humidity of 30 to 60 percent.

Plan ahead and ensure all necessary measures for preventing heat illnesses can be implemented when hot weather is predicted. Doing so will ensure the safety and well-being of your workers.

See Safe Work Australia's First aid for heat-related illness for further information.

Ultraviolet radiation

Our sun emits different kinds of energy as part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes:

  • infrared radiation that we can feel (heat or temperature);
  • visible light that we can see (sunlight);
  • and ultraviolet (UV) radiation (that can’t be seen or felt).

UV radiation is responsible for causing skin damage, premature ageing and skin cancer and because UV is invisible to our senses, we cannot rely on them to determine the need for sun protection.

All skin tones can be damaged by overexposure to UV radiation and this damage is permanent, irreversible and increases with each exposure, across our lifetime. Almost all skin cancers (approximately 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers and 95% of melanoma) are caused by overexposure to UV radiation.

People who spend all or part of the day regularly working outdoors are at increased risk of skin cancer  Outdoor workers receive up to 10 times more solar UV exposure than those who work indoors. Every year in Australia, it’s estimated that over 200 melanomas and 34,000 other skin cancers are caused by UV damage in the workplace.

Unlike managing the risks of heat stress, preventing UVR damage encompasses year-round protection. Due to the extended periods of exposure that outdoor workers experience, even when UVR levels are low (such as during the winter months) damage still occurs and year-round sun protection is therefore necessary.

Assessing the risk

Exposure to solar UV radiation is a risk for anyone who works outside, not only from direct sunlight but also from the surrounding environment as UV radiation can be reflected off certain materials, such as concrete, metal, sand and water, therefore increasing the overall level of exposure.

Undertake a periodic risk assessment to identify workers who have a high risk of exposure to UV radiation and situations or work systems where high exposure to UV radiation occurs. Factors which influence the total exposure to UV radiation include:

  • the geographical location of the work
  • the time of year when outdoor work occurs
  • the times of the day when outdoor work occurs
  • the pattern and length of exposure - exposure can occur in an ongoing episode or via a series of shorter episodes which accumulate over time
  • the availability and use of control measures
  • the presence of reflective surfaces, and
  • the presence of photosensitisers.

Photosensitivity can be caused by ingesting, inhaling or coming into skin contact with a range of substances including some industrial chemicals, plants and medication. More information on substances which cause photosensitivity can be found on page 7 of the ‘Guide on exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation’ available from Safe Work Australia www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.

Use the hierarchy of risk control to identify suitable control measures that eliminate or minimise the risk as far as reasonably practicable.

Managing the risk of overexposure to UV

Solar UV radiation must be managed throughout the year by implementing a combination of the following control measures:

  1. Elimination
    • Where possible, move tasks indoors to remove the UVR hazard to a worker.
    • Where possible, rotate jobs between workers if some activities can be done in shaded areas/ indoors, so no one worker is outdoors for extended periods.
  2. Engineering controls –
    • Provide shaded areas or temporary shade for stationary tasks and breaks and encourage their use. Additional UV protection is still recommended even if working in shaded areas outdoors.
    • Where possible, change, modify or avoid reflective surfaces. Soft or rough surfaces reflect less UVR and are safer than hard or smooth surfaces. Painting surfaces a less reflective colour (dark colours) also helps to reduce reflective UVR.
    • Consider applying window tinting to work vehicles or plant equipment to help reduce the amount of solar UVR entering the vehicle.
    • Identify and minimise contact with photosensitising substances.
  3. Administrative controls
    • Plan work routines so outdoor tasks are done early in the morning or later in the afternoon when UV levels are lower.
    • Provide training and education to workers about working safely in the sun.
    • Announce or display the daily UV Index and sun protection times in a common area or encourage workers to use the SunSmart Global UV app  via their smartphones.
    • Provide workers with information on why and how to check their skin, and reminded to do so regularly. High-risk workers should be encouraged consult their GP.
  4. Personal protective equipment (PPE) - ensure outdoor workers are protected in as many ways as possible including:
    • Uniform that covers as much skin as possible, including long-sleeved shirts with collars and long trousers. Where possible choose clothing made from material with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50+.
    • Close fitting, wraparound sunglasses that meet Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1067) or safety glasses rated “O” (AS/NZS 1337.1) that provide good UV protection
    • A broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire style hat that covers the head, face, neck and ears. Use brim or neck flap attachments where hard hats are a requirement
    • Broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen and lip balm with a SPF 50+, that is generously applied to any remaining exposed skin, 20 minutes prior to going outside and reapplied at least every two hours.

Visit Safe Work Australia's Guide on exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), ARPANSA’s Ultraviolet radiation monitoring or www.sunsmart.org.au for more information.

Cancer Council SA support

Cancer Council SA can assist workplaces to meet their WH&S responsibilities and duty of care through provision of education, guidance and support. Cancer Council SA can provide information and resources and to identify controls to manage UV hazards in the context of your workplace situation, review current workplace practices and develop a UV protection policy.

For more information about the SunSmart Workplace program, visit www.cancersa.org.au/prevention/workplace-risk/uv-radiation or email prevention@cancersa.org.au.

Additional resources