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Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) + Skin Cancer at Work

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Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) + Skin Cancer at Work

on 03 Apr 2019 1:08 PM
Blog Category: Safety Blog

In 2003 a skin cancer judgment found skin cancer was ‘serious’ and ‘dangerous’ enough for a retired truck driver to sue his employer of 35 years for damages, putting sun protection and potentially UVR protection more generally, on the agenda for employers.

About UVR

Excessive Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) can cause skin cancer, skin ageing and eye damage, and may affect the immune system. Unprotected outdoor workers are most likely to accumulate excessive UV exposures during summer when, across most of Australia, during the hotter parts of the day, they can exceed UVR exposure limits in 5 to 10 minutes.  

Over-exposure to industrial UVR sources, used for sterilisation in wastewater treatment or food manufacturing, curing of paints, inks and resins, welding, and other industrial activities, can also present a significant risk.

UVR Management

UVR exposure, like any other physical or chemical hazard, must be managed, starting with a risk assessment, to identify workers UVR exposures and the likelihood and consequence of exposure. This should then be followed by controls reducing UVR exposure as far as reasonably practicable, assigned in accordance with the hierarchy and built into organisational systems.

Protecting Outside Workers

Controls protecting outdoor workers from UVR (coming with the added benefit of reducing heat stress and fatigue caused by excessive radiant heat) include:  

Protection from Industrial UVR Sources

 Industrial sources may require specialist risk assessment. Controls include:

Further information

THE UV Index

fire rating index

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