Sun Smart
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia, with 80% of all cancers diagnosed being skin cancers. Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
The major cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes in the summer sun so it is important to protect skin from UV radiation and be Sun Smart.
Being Sun Smart
- Avoid being outside between10 am and 3 pm.
- When working outside cannot be avoided try:
- reorganising work schedules where possible so that outdoor tasks are done early in the morning or late afternoon
- rotating tasks that involve direct sun with fellow workers
- working around the movement of the sun, for example, do outdoor work on the western and northern side of a building in the morning, and work on the eastern and southern sides in the afternoon
- using trees, buildings and other temporary shelter (e.g. awnings, umbrellas)
- using shaded areas during rest and meal breaks
- wearing appropriate protective broad brimmed hats,clothing (shirts with longer sleeves, collars, close weave and darker colours) and sunglasses
- applying SPF 50+ water-resistant broad-spectrum sunscreen every 2 hours
- drink plenty of cool water