VICTORIAN outdoor workers are being warned by SunSmart about their exposure to up to ten times more UV radiation annually compared to their indoor counterparts. This exposure places them at a higher risk of skin damage and cancer, including melanoma.
This warning follows a recent report by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization, which identifies workplaces as key settings for preventing skin cancer. Globally, nearly one in three deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer is caused by working under the sun.
“Each time someone works outdoors unprotected, they are adding to their lifetime of UV exposure,” said Emma Glassenbury, Head of SunSmart. She strongly recommends year-round sun protection for outdoor workers.
In response, SunSmart Victoria is offering UV safety training and education sessions across the state. In 2023, SunSmart and Incolink have partnered to deliver 15 UV SunSmart Tradie Toolboxes to more than 1,600 workers on construction sites throughout Victoria.
Incolink CEO, Erik Locke, emphasised the importance of education in reducing skin cancer risk. Outdoor workers are urged to use sun protection all year round, particularly during summer when UV levels are consistently high.
