Outdoor workers in the trades, utilities, mining and quarrying industries are at risk of over-exposure to UV radiation. This Guidance Note  will assist employers in those industries, and other industries employing outdoor workers, in managing this risk to the health of their  employees.

Background

New Zealand and Australia have the world’s highest rates of non-melanoma skin cancer, with New Zealand also leading in melanoma  mortality. In 2022, the year for which most recent figures are available, there were 3,116 melanoma registrations (1,668 males and 1,427  females) Most skin cancers, including melanoma, are found in people aged 50 years or older, however Melanoma is the 4th most common  cancer among people aged 25 to 39 years in New Zealand.

Each year nearly 100,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with skin cancer and 2 in 3 New Zealanders are expected be diagnosed with a  non-melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. However, around 90% of skin cancers are preventable with sun protection. Outdoor workers  including construction workers have a higher risk of skin cancer than many other workers due to regular and long periods of exposure to  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation directly and when UV rays are reflected from nearby surfaces such as concrete. Studies have shown that outdoor  workers can be exposed to up to ten times more UV radiation than indoor workers. UVR has been identified as the second most  frequent workplace carcinogen in N.Z accounting for 27% of carcinogen exposures (Worksafe 2023)

UV radiation is most intense during the middle of the day. However, workers should protect themselves when outside from September to   April, especially between 10am – 4pm when the UV levels are 3 and above. Protection may be required all year round when you are near  reflective surfaces like concrete, metal and sand or outdoors for extended periods of time. You can use the free UVNZ app to check UV  levels during the day for your region.

What is skin cancer?

Over exposure to UV radiation can damage the body’s skin cells. This can result in various forms of skin cancer which can be fatal if not  detected and treated early. It usually takes many years of exposure for skin cancer to occur. However, there are also cases of it being  diagnosed in young people.

What forms of sun protection are most effective?

In workplaces, a risk management process for solar UVR exposure should be implemented and should be clearly documented in a written  policy endorsed by senior management. This policy should specify how both employers and employees manage the risk of exposure to  solar UVR on a day-to-day basis.

Employers should conduct a risk assessment on outdoor work scheduled for the period from September to April, when UV radiation levels  peak, to assist in developing appropriate sun protection measures. Employers need to ensure protection measures are implemented.  Employers should also consider UVR risk all year round when workers are near reflective surfaces or outdoors for extended periods of  time.

The most effective way of reducing UV exposure is to use a combination of protection methods. In order of effectiveness, following the  hierarchy of controls, they are:

  • Re-organising work to avoid the UV peak of the day.
  • Providing natural or artificial shade.
  • Providing appropriate protective clothing i.e. clothing covering as much exposed skin as possible, clothing, hats and sunglasses.
  • Applying sunscreen.

Re-organising work

Where reasonably practicable, and the production schedule permits, organise rosters to avoid workers being outside in the middle of the  day for long periods. Try to:

  • Minimise the amount of outdoor work.
  • Move jobs undercover.
  • Do outdoor tasks in the early morning or late in the day.
  • Share outdoor and indoor work to minimise individual exposure.

Using shade

Where work has to occur outside for extended periods, assess the location of this work, proximity to reflective surfaces, such as concrete,  and the availability of natural shade from surrounding structures or trees.

If there is no natural shade, have a physical barrier to UV radiation by erecting temporary shade structures, if reasonably practicable.

Examples of shade structures are:

  • Awnings – generally made from closely woven fabric and that have a rating of UPF 50+ .
  • Market-type shade “umbrellas” – provide strong protection due to dense weave and may be plastic coated (plastic is a strong absorber of  UV radiation). Most material would be UPF 50+ .
  • Structures using roofing materials – clear plastic or tinted plastic roofing materials that are UPF 50+ .
  • Structures using shade cloth – UPF ratings may be low to moderate.

NOTE: Outdoor workers are exposed to UV radiation both directly from the sun and indirectly as it is reflected or scattered from surrounding surfaces, which in the construction industry include concrete, glass, metal surfaces (such as steel decks and roofing materials), sand and large bodies of water.

Workers are therefore potentially exposed to a great deal of UV radiation from the sun, even when working in the shade or under overhead  protection. Workers should continue to wear sun protection (protective clothing and sunscreen) in the shade for maximum  protection.

Learn more about UV radiation and being SunSmart at www. sunsmart.org.nz