UV protection for Outdoor Workers

Policy Objectives

To protect all employees from any adverse affects due to their exposure to the outdoors, in particular their exposure to ultra-violet light.

Policy

To ensure that the risk of adverse health effects due to solar ultraviolet radiation is minimised, DFP Consultants shall on placing a casual into an assignment that is likely to involve them in outdoor work:

  • Assess in conjunction with the host client the potential for occupational exposure to solar UV
  • Ensure at risk casual staff are provided with suitable protective clothing and sunscreens
  • Educate and train staff who are potentially at risk on the effects of UV exposure, use of protective clothing and sunscreens
  • DFP casual staff shall:
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    • Wear such protective clothing that is recommended or made available to them
    • Apply sunscreens as appropriate
    • Undertake all training provided
    • Advise their site supervisor and DFP Consultant should they have any concern at all regarding the safety of their working environment.

Induction of Casual staff

Prior to commencing a casual assignment, all casuals are required to complete a comprehensive Induction program. For outdoor staff, this Induction covers clothing and other requirements aimed at protecting staff as much as is practicable for the elements surrounding them.

Standard Dress

The recommended minimum desirable clothing for outdoor casuals should be a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers.

However, where casuals are in an exceptionally hot climate and to minimise the adverse effects of heat stress in hot weather, work shorts and short sleeved shirts may be allowable as long as sunscreen is applied and maintained to all exposed skin surfaces throughout the day.

This consideration will not apply where there is an obvious risk of immediate physical damage to the person for other reasons (see special requirements below).

A broad brimmed hat (8cm to 14cm) shall be worn. Other types of hats may be permitted as long as they provide good protection to the face, ears and neck. This may include a peak cap with non-detachable neck and earflap. Baseball type caps with no ear or neck protection are not acceptable.

Special Requirements

There are many categories of outdoor workers who  because of the nature of their activities will be subject to particular dress requirements as nominated by host clients and DFP at a particular work area.   This could include heavy duty footwear and gloves or the requirement to wear less cumbersome clothing.

Categories of staff this may apply to include:

  • Pool attendants (long pants may hinder a pool rescue and are not recommended)
  • Mechanics, fitters and welders
  • Operators of brush cutters, concrete/bitumen saws, chainsaws or other equipment which may pose a danger to bare skin
  • People handling bitumen
  • People who handle chemicals i.e. pesticides and herbicides.

Use of Sunscreen Cream

Sunscreens - Broad spectrum sunscreens which cover both UV A and UV B should be used. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be about 30. No sunscreen provides complete protection and hats, clothing and other protective measures should always be used in addition to a sunscreen. Sunscreens should be applied to the dry skin at least 15 minutes before the start of any outdoor work. They should be reapplied every 2 hours though this may need to be more frequently if sweating is profuse. Adequate supplies of sunscreens should be maintained at outdoor work locations.

Lip protection: To avoid damage by solar UV radiation, lips should be protected by a 15 plus screen or lip-stick.

Eye protection: Sunglasses meeting Australian Standard AS 1067and AS1337 (1992) should be used by casual staff working regularly outdoors.

Administrative and Other Controls

While these policy guidelines are essentially about the type of garments worn, the implications to the wearer with respect to comfort and overheating problems are worthy of further mention.

The key factors which may promote bodily overheating problems are the:

  • Ambient and radiant temperature
  • Extent of air movement (wind)
  • Pace and physical demand of the work
  • Adequacy of water replacement required by sweating
  • Humidity
  • Person’s clothing.

Note

Actual temperature experienced by workers will differ considerably dependent on their workplace. Working in a well treed park will be vastly different to working on an open bitumen road.
Thus some steps which should be taken include:

  • All relevant staff should ensure that they have ample supplies of fresh cool water
  • The use of natural shade should be exploited
  • The erection of temporary shade should be considered where practicable
  • Rescheduling of particularly heavy work outdoors for the period 10.00am to 2.00pm when practicable
  • Consideration of temporary cessation from physically demanding work for the time when severe heat related conditions are experienced
  • It is readily apparent that heavy work in particularly hot weather is not efficient work, without frequent stops, at least for drinks and possibly self-dousing with water
  • Staff should be encouraged to report immediately to their supervisor any significant symptoms of bodily overheating
  • Suitable educational tools sessions should be used to ensure that staff are aware of what these symptoms are and the effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Robert van Stokrom
Chief Executive Officer