With an estimated 34,000 skin cancers and 200 melanomas caused by sun exposure in the workplace every year, employers and workers who work outdoors are being encouraged to work safely in the sun and reduce their risk of skin cancer.
The Cancer Council Australia today launched a range of resources to help employers and employees work safely in the sun as part of activities for National Skin Cancer Action Week (November 18-24).
CEO Professor Ian Olver said an estimated 1.2 million Australian workers work outdoors face an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
“UV radiation is a known carcinogen,” Professor Olver said. “We need workers and employers to understand that the sun is potentially as deadly as toxic chemicals or heavy machinery.
“Outdoor workers have died from skin cancer caused by their sun exposure at work. No one should have to risk their life for work.
"The hazard is known and the controls obvious. We know how to prevent skin cancer, and therefore there is no reason that outdoor workers should be in more danger of developing skin cancer than others who work indoors.”
Professor Olver said all types of skin were at risk of damage from the sun’s UV radiation. “Skin damage from the sun is permanent and irreversible, and increases with each exposure. That means every time an outdoor worker is unprotected, they are increasing their skin cancer risk.”
Professor Olver said the new resources, which included an online training course, a comprehensive booklet for employers, and information for employees, had been produced to help workplaces develop and implement sun protection programs for outdoor workers. The resources can be found at www.cancer.org.au/sunsmartworkplace.
“It is possible to work safely in the sun, and these new resources will guide both employers and employees on how they can work safely in the sun,” he said.
Construction worker Andrew Butterworth, who was diagnosed with a Level 4 melanoma in March this year, urged other outdoor workers to save their skin.
“I’ve worked for around 20 years in the construction industry, and to be honest, for most of that time I didn’t pay much attention to protecting my skin - when the sun came out, you took your shirt off, Mr Butterworth said.”
“It was only recently following a focus on sun protection for outdoor workers that I started to understand that I was at higher risk of skin cancer, and take more care to cover up.
“Now I’ve had a melanoma, I am careful to use sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing both when I’m at work and also when I’m enjoying the outdoors after work too.
“It’s a fantastic thing, that great big nuclear reactor in the sky, but it can kill you, it can kill you stone dead.”
Gary Thompson from ERGOSH Safety Management Services warned that employers have the key legal responsibility for ensuring the safety of employees working outdoors in the sun.
“In order to understand their legal requirements for sun safety, all employers must be familiar with the relevant provisions of their particular State Occupational Health and Safety Act,” Mr Thompson said.
“Skin cancer has been established as a growing legal liability for employers. Employers who fail to ensure that sun safety measures to eliminate or minimise the risk of sunlight injury are effectively in place, do so at their peril.”
National Skin Cancer Action Week runs from November 18-24. The week is an initiative of The Cancer Council Australia's Skin Cancer Committee, and aims to raise awareness of skin cancer and sun protection issues at the start of the summer season. For more information about protecting your skin and detecting skin cancer, go to www.cancer.org.au/sunsmart
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For more information or to arrange interviews:
• Zoe Furman: 03 9635 5271 or 0408 176 934, e zoe.furman@cancervic.org.au
• Glen Turner: p. 02 8063 4100 m. 0412 443 212 e. glen.turner@cancer.org.au
Background information – skin cancer and outdoor workers
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001) show there are an estimated 1.2 million outdoor workers across Australia.
• It is estimated that around 200 melanomas and 34,000 non-melanoma skin cancers per year are caused by occupational exposures in Australia.
(Source: Fritschi L, Driscoll T. Cancer due to occupational exposure in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 2006)
• In the five years from 1999-2004, the rate of skin cancer claims (per million employees) compensated by the Australian Health and Safety Commission Council more than doubled.
There are over 300 occupations in Australia which require mainly outdoor work, according to My Career, a government-funded career information service (www.myfuture.edu.au).
From the Australian census in 2006, among the biggest groups of outdoor workers are over 175,000 farmers or farm managers, almost 120,000 construction/mining labourers, and almost 100,000 farm, forestry and garden workers.
Legal action
In Australia at least two legal cases have been settled in favour of workers with occupation skin cancer:
1. Eric Reeder
In 2003, a Victorian County Court judge ruled that Eric Reeder’s skin cancer was serious and dangerous enough for him to sue his employer of 35 years, Boral Bricks. Mr Reeder, a retired truck driver, had developed multiple skin cancers on his back, neck and shoulders, and had multiple malignant melanomas removed from his back. Mr Reeder settled out of court with Boral Bricks, and died in 2007. His case has established a precedent in recognising UV radiation as a workplace hazard.
2. Robert Ritchie
In September 2004 the New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission awarded damages to an employee of the Roads and Traffic Authority for continuous excessive exposure to the sun while at work resulting in multiple skin cancers. Robert Ritchie suffered significant damage to his skin while employed as a labourer with the Authority for 34 years. He has had numerous procedures to remove skin cancers from his ears, abdomen, cheeks, back, arms, legs and neck.
The Commission determined that Mr Ritchie’s employment substantially contributed to his injury and awarded him weekly compensation at the maximum statutory rate, medical expenses and costs.
Protecting outdoor workers from skin cancer
The Cancer Council recommends that all workplaces have a comprehensive sun protection program in place that includes
• Risk assessment of the UV exposure risk to all employees
• The introduction and maintenance of sun protection control measures
• Training employees to work safely in the sun
• A written sun protection policy
• A process to determine the effectiveness of the program and identify changes that may further reduce exposure
Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are tax deductible if they are needed for protection at work.
Media contacts
Zoe Furman: 03 9635 5271 or 0408 176 934, e zoe.furman@cancervic.org.au
Glen Turner: p. 02 8063 4100 m. 0412 443 212 e. glen.turner@cancer.org.au