Thanks to Ally Hamer from Cancer Council NSW for this article.
There’s no denying the fact that skin cancer is our national cancer, with 2 in 3 Aussies being diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. Outdoor workers such as greenkeepers are at particular risk given they receive between 5 to 10 times more exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun compared to indoor workers. Men are also at increased risk. In NSW, from the age of 40 men are more than 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed and 2.5 times more likely to die from melanoma compared to women of a similar age.
The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable. When we protect our skin, we reduce our risk. Outdoor workers need sun protection everyday but unfortunately, no more than 10% are fully protected from the sun when they’re working outdoors. Workplaces have a duty of care to protect their workers from harm, yet they can be doing more to protect their workers.
With a high proportion of outdoor workers who are male, the greenkeeping industry can play a really important role in helping to reduce their workers’ risk of developing skin cancer. Cancer Council NSW is here to support outdoor workplaces and has developed a new program to help them best protect their workers.
The free Outdoor Worker Sun Safety Program aims to increase outdoor workplace engagement in the importance of sun protection by supporting workplaces to develop and implement practical and sustainable sun safety strategies to meet their individual needs. Strategies could include improving access to shade, window tinting on work vehicles, modifying exposure to reflective surfaces, scheduling of outdoor tasks, providing information and training and sun-safe PPE to name a few. The team has recently been working alongside selection of NSW golf clubs, and expressions of interest to participate are currently open to NSW Bowling clubs and their greenkeeping teams.
Sun safety is a serious issue in the workplace, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you are interested in learning more about the program, or simply about what you can do to better protect your workers contact Ally Hamer on 02 9334 1422 or ally.hamer@nswcc.org.au. Further information and resources can be accessed via cancercouncil.com.au/workplace.
Cancer Council NSW
