WORK INSTRUCTION
TITLE:
UV PROTECTION
NUMBER: WI 16
1.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this work instruction is to reduce the adverse health effects from exposure to
solar UV radiation for employees, students and others at the worksite.
2.
SCOPE
This work instruction applies to all people on Learning Community (LC) grounds or involved in
activities.
3.
REFERENCES
AS 1337.1 (2010): Personal eye protection.
AS/NZS 1067 (2003): Sunglasses and Fashion Spectacles.
Guidance Note For The Protection Of Workers from the Ultraviolet Radiation in Sunlight, SafeWork
Australia, Nov 2008
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/306/GuidanceNote_Pr
otectionOfWorkers_UltravioletRadiationInSunlight_2008_PDF.pdf
Skin Cancer and Outdoor Work: A guide for employers, The Cancer Council of Australia, SunSmart
http://www.cancer.org.au/content/pdf/PreventingCancer/BeSunsmart/Skincanceroutdoorworkbooklet.p
df
Sunscreens: information for consumers. 29 January 2014. Australian Government. Dept. of Health.
www.tga.gov.au/community-qa/sunscreens-information-consumers
4.
DEFINITIONS
Adverse Health Effects of Solar UV radiation
As little as twelve minutes of sun exposure, at midday during summer, may cause sunburn and eye
damage. Long term repeated exposure may cause keratoses (sunspots), skin cancers, premature skin
aging and injuries to eyes.
Eye Protection Factor (EPF)
Eye Protection Factor is a rating based on frame coverage, UV, blue light and infrared protection, it
indicates the efficiency of sunglasses in protecting the eyes from solar radiation.
Highly Reflective Surfaces
Some buildings and ground surfaces such as polished aluminium, construction materials, lightly
coloured concrete, water and snow reflect UV light back into eyes and onto skin, this increasing UV
exposure.
Photosensitising Substances
Exposure to photosensitising substances can worsen the effects of solar UV radiation. Examples of
photosensitising substances include some industrial chemicals, medications, fruits and plants, certain
dyes, coal tar and coal tar derivatives.
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Solar UV Radiation
UV radiation is part of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun, with a wavelength less than
visible light but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 - 400nm. It can cause damage to living organisms.
SunSmart UV Alert
A daily alert issued by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology whenever the UV index is forecast to
reach 3 or above. Available from http://www.bom.gov.au/products/UV/Adelaide_SA.shtml
UV
Ultraviolet light, so named because the spectrum consists of electromagnetic waves with frequencies
higher than those that humans identify as the colour violet.
UV light is composed of UVA (which causes damage leading to premature aging of the skin and can
cause skin cancer), UVB (which causes sunburn and is the major cause of skin cancer) and UVC
(which is absorbed and scattered before it reaches the earth).
UV Index
A rating system to describe the amount of solar UV radiation at the earth’s surface. The higher the
number the stronger the level of UV radiation and the less time for damage to occur. The UV Index has
five categories:
Low - UV Index 1 – 2
Moderate - UV Index 3 – 5
High - UV Index 6 – 7
Very High - UV Index 8 – 10
Extreme - UV Index 11 and above
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment in regard to sun protection includes: sun protective clothing, hats,
sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30+.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
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SPF is a measure of the effectiveness of a sunscreen to UVB. It is the amount of UV radiation
required to cause sunburn on skin with the sunscreen on, relative to the amount required without the
sunscreen. SPF is measured on human skin in a laboratory by determining how much time it takes
for intense ultraviolet radiation (specifically UVB) to burn skin that has been liberally applied with
sunscreen compared to skin that has no application of sunscreen. For example, if skin protected with
sunscreen takes 300 seconds to burn during the test, but only 10 seconds to burn without sunscreen,
the SPF is 300/10, which is 30. Sunscreen is applied liberally in the SPF test. The product will only
deliver the level of protection claimed on the label if it is applied liberally.
So, wearing a sunscreen with SPF 50, your skin will not burn until it has been exposed to 50 times
the amount of solar energy that would normally cause it to burn.
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)
UPF is a measure of the effectiveness for sun protective textiles and clothing. It is a ratio of UV
measured without the protection of the fabric (compared to) with protection of the fabric. For
example, a fabric rated UPF 30 means that if 30 units of UV fall on the fabric only 1 unit will pass
through.
5.
ACTIONS
A risk management approach will be used to reduce the adverse health effects from exposure
to solar UV radiation for employees, students and others at the worksite. Situations where
people are at risk of exposure to UV radiation will be identified, the risks assessed and
appropriate control measures introduced.
5.1
Identify the Hazards
The Management Representative, in consultation with the H&S Rep, if elected, will identify
workers who have a high risk of exposure to solar UV radiation, and situations or work systems
where high exposure to solar UV radiation occurs.
Work activities that include a photosensitising substance will also be identified.
All outdoor activities involving students will be identified.
5.2
Assess the Risks
Managers of outdoor workers in consultation with those undertaking the work, will assess the
UV exposure of all their workers. Managers of outdoor workers will also assess the UV
exposure of each outdoor task, as part of the risk assessment of that task.
Teachers of students doing outdoor activities will assess the UV exposure of each outdoor
activity, as part of the risk assessment of that activity.
The Cancer Council has assessed the risk of UV exposure and has stated that:
 when the SunSmart UV Alert is 3 or above, sun protection control measures should be
implemented for all outdoor workers
 when the SunSmart UV Index is greater than 8, and from 10 am and 2pm each day
during summer (or 11am – 3pm during daylight saving), working outside should be
avoided, if possible or additional control measures should be implemented
 sun protection measures should also be implemented when in alpine regions or near
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highly reflective surfaces.
5.3
Controlling the Risks for Workers
Managers of workers identified as having a risk from UV radiation will identify, document and
implement appropriate controls according to the following Hierarchy of Control Measures. In
most cases a combination of sun protection control measures will provides the best protection
for employees.
5.3.1
Eliminate or Minimise Exposure
Whenever possible exposure to UV radiation should be eliminated or reduced
by working inside and away from highly reflective surfaces.
5.3.2
Engineering Control Measures
Engineering control measures include: using natural or existing shade, using
portable shade structures, modifying reflective surfaces, window tinting on
vehicles, blinds or awnings to buildings to reduce indoor worker’s UV exposure
5.3.3
Administrative Control Measures
Managers of outdoor workers shall check the daily SunSmart UV Alert and will
schedule work in such a way as to minimise UV exposure to workers. Outdoor
tasks should be scheduled early in the morning or late in the afternoon (when
UV radiation is lower) and indoor or shaded work tasks scheduled during the
middle of the day, (when UV radiation is higher).
Managers of outdoor workers shall rotate staff so that the same person is not
always out in the sun.
Staff exposed to UV radiation should be trained in the adverse health effects of
UV radiation, factors that affect the levels of solar UV radiation, appropriate
control measures, PPE and how to check the skin for skin cancer
5.3.4
Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing
PPE should be provided for workers exposed to UV radiation.
Personal protective equipment in regard to sun protection includes:

Sun protective clothing - It should cover as much skin as possible, and should
include long pants, a shirt with a collar and long sleeves. Fabrics should be
made of closely woven material with a UPF of 50+. Clothing should also be of
loose fit, to keep cool in the heat.

Sun protective hats - They should shade your face, ears and neck. A broad
brimmed style should have a brim of 7.5cm. A bucket style should have a deep
crown, angled brim of 6cm and sit low on the head. A legionnaire style should
have a flap that covers the neck and joins to the side of the front peak. If a hard
hat or helmet is worn, brim attachments or legionnaire covers should be worn

Sunglasses – They should be close fitting and wrap around style with EPF of 9
or 10 according to AS/NZS 1067. When eye protection is required as a safety
measure, safety glasses with UV protection should be selected according to AS
1337.

Sunscreen – it should be a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF
30+. It should be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied every
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
2 hours, or more often if sweating occurs. Only therapeutic sunscreens regulated
by the Therapeutics Goods Administration should be used. These can be
identified by an AUST L number on the label
Lip balm – It should have an SPF 30+
PPE must be chosen carefully and must always keep in mind the type of outdoor
work being performed. The selection of PPE must balance sun protection with
the needs to stay cool in hot conditions. Sun protections must not override other
safety and health control measures.
It is also important that PPE does not introduce secondary hazards such as:

loose clothing (including long sleeves) may become caught in machinery

oily sunscreen may increase the risk of cement and other dusts adhering to the
skin and causing skin problems

close fitting clothing, synthetic or tightly woven fabrics may reduce the
evaporation of sweat and lead to heat stress

zinc cream, if applied to large areas of the body will prevent sweat
evaporating in hot conditions
Managers who supervise outdoor workers will monitor and ensure compliance with sun
protection control measures.
Form 2 – Safety Improvement Request will be used to report any incident of sunburn or
excessive exposure to solar UV that occurs in the workplace.
5.4
Controlling the Risks for Students
All staff will model good UV protection practices for students.
The Principal/Director will ensure appropriate risk management strategies are implemented and
communicated to students in regard to recess and lunch breaks. This may include the provision
of indoor areas or shade structures and the requirement for students to wear hats, sunglasses
and sunscreen.
Teachers will avoid scheduling outdoor activities, if possible, when the SunSmart UV Index is
greater than 8, and from 10 am and 2pm each day during summer (or 11am – 3pm during
daylight savings).
Teachers will implement control measures for their students when the SunSmart UV Index is
greater than 3. This may include such things as minimising the amount of time spent outdoors,
seeking shaded areas and requiring students to wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
6.
DOCUMENTATION
WI 16 – UV Protection
APPROVED:
ISSUE DATE:
John Proeve
Executive Director
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26/01/2016