Sun Safety

Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders.  Skin cancers are usually caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, in particular sunburn.  Outdoor workers have a high risk of skin cancer because they are regularly exposed to UV radiation for long periods of time.

There are three main types of skin cancer and melanoma is the most serious of these because if not caught early, it can spread quickly through the body and lower the chance of survival.

For every death from skin cancer, an average of 17.4 potential years of life are lost.  It is estimated that, in 2006, skin cancer caused a $66 million loss to New Zealand society (in particular, to gross domestic product) due to early deaths and time lost in treatment. 

The good news is that most skin cancers can be prevented by being sun safe – i.e. by reducing exposure to the sun when ultraviolet radiation is most intense, and by never getting sunburnt.  It is also important for skin changes (e.g. moles) to be checked as soon as they appear because if detected early, most skin cancers can be successfully treated.


The facts

• Every year about 60,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with skin cancer and 300 die from melanoma.
• It is the ultraviolet radiation from the sun – not the sun’s heat or high temperatures – that causes sunburn.
• Ultraviolet radiation levels can still be high enough on cloudy, windy or cool days to cause sunburn.
• All skin types – fair, olive or darker – can sunburn.

Key sun safety messages

Being sun safe in the workplace is especially important for people who work outdoors and those who go outside at lunchtimes.  Encourage staff to be sun safe when outside, especially between 11am and 4pm during daylight saving months:    

• Slip on a long-sleeved shirt and trousers or slip into the shade. 
• Slop on plenty of broad spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours. 
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat. 
• Wrap on some sunnies – choose sunglasses that cover the whole eye area.

WorkWell for Sun Safety

Being sun safe in the workplace is especially important for people who work outdoors and those who go outside at lunchtimes.  Outdoor workers are at a high risk of developing skin cancer because they are exposed to high ultraviolet radiation levels for long periods.  People who are outside at lunchtime (eg. walking, running or sitting outside) also need to protect themselves from getting sunburnt because ultraviolet radiation levels are at their highest then.

 

Download the WorkWell for Sun Safety Toolkit.  Inside you’ll find documents and resources to help you ensure:

• Your Sun Safety programme is effective, sustainable and integrates with other WorkWell initiatives.
• The reasons for implementing a Sun Safety programme have been justified and help gain management approval.
• Your success in developing a Sun Safety policy and plan of action.

Remember all workplaces undertaking WorkWell Accreditation are eligible to attend the FREE WorkWell Workshops or access FREE support from one of the WorkWell Advisors.