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Hi Beverly, be safe working in the sun
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Protecting workers from the sun is the feature of this update. New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma in the world with over 2000 people reported to the New Zealand cancer registry with melanoma every year – that’s around six every day. Each year over 300 New Zealanders die from melanoma.
Most of us know that too much sun exposure can harm our health – but because this harm is not always visible, it’s hard to identify the damage until it’s too late. Over-exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a serious hazard for all New Zealanders, particularly those who work outdoors.
The UV radiation given off by the sun damages the cells in the body and this can cause serious health conditions, such as life-threatening skin cancers and permanent eye damage. The harm sustained from UV exposure can build up over time, so workers exposed to UV radiation more frequently and for longer periods are more at risk.
If you or your workers work outdoors, you need to know what the risks are and how to manage them. Explore what higher-level control measures you can use to keep out of the sun. This may include re-scheduling outdoor tasks, moving work indoors, or providing shade structures. If this isn’t possible, use lower-level control measures such as protective clothing, hats and eyewear, and SPF 50+ sunscreen.
As part of your solar UV radiation risk management, you and your workers should also complete regular self-assessments for skin changes which may be the difference between identifying a deadly skin cancer or not. Workers of all ethnicities and skin tones need to regularly check their skin for signs of abnormalities or changes. Although they have a lower likelihood of developing melanoma, Māori and Pacific people often have thicker, more serious melanomas. No matter how fair or dark your skin tone – regularly check it.
Read on for information about our new quick guide for protecting workers from the sun, Health Protection Agency sun protection resources, and some sun safety myths.
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In this issue:
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- Frontline view from our inspectors for January to June 2017
- Legionnaires’ disease warning
- New workplace exposure standards
- Updated guidance on writing for health and safety
- Young people in the workplace info sheet
- In the news: negligent asbestos removal puts others at risk
- Check out our new website
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Protecting workers from solar UV radiation quick guide
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If you or your workers are working outdoors, solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a hazard you need to consider. Outdoor workers can be exposed to harmful UV radiation while working, even after as little as 10 minutes. This can increase the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as skin cancer. These are risks both PCBUs and workers have a responsibility to manage. Check out our new protecting workers from solar UV radiation quick guide for more information.
More sun protection resources
The Health Promotion Agency has a range of resources to help businesses and workers manage risks from solar UV radiation at work:
- use the Sun Protection Alert to find out the time in your location each day when you need to protect your skin and eyes
- watch the Be Sunsmart video – although aimed at 16 to 24 year-olds the prevention steps can be promoted in all workplaces
- encourage your workers to regularly check their skin and see a doctor if they’re worried about a mole, freckle or spot
- check out wellplace.nz for more SunSmart resources.
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Sun safety myths to bust in the workplace
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Myth 1: When you can’t see or feel the sun, you are safe and can’t get burnt.
False – we can’t see or feel UV radiation. Sunlight or warmth from the sun is not the same as UV radiation. The radiation from the sun does not provide light that we can see, or heat that we can feel, so your skin can burn even if it feels cool.
Myth 2: Wearing PPE is an inconvenience and difficult to enforce with workers.
False – wearing PPE or protective clothing can be an inconvenience if it is not the right fit for the job. However, choosing the right PPE and protective clothing for the job minimises inconvenience and discomfort.
Myth 3: Sunscreen provides enough protection on its own.
False – sunscreen is limited in the amount of protection it can provide and should not be the only form of sun protection. It must be applied correctly over all exposed areas and reapplied regularly as it wears off (especially after coming into contact with water).
Myth 4: I haven’t used sun protection before and it’s too late now to start.
False – sun damage adds up, meaning the more we are exposed, the greater the risk. It is never too late to start protecting skin and eyes against UV radiation.
Myth 5: I have developed a gradual sun tan without burning so I am better protected from the sun.
False – a sun tan is an indicator that the skin is trying to protect itself from UV radiation exposure. It does this by creating more pigment which provides a very small SPF. While the sun tan is present, it provides a very small amount of protection from future sunburn. However, the cell damage caused by this process can be enough to cause skin cancer. Overall, the risk of being harmed outweighs the small and short-lived benefit of the sun tan.
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Our new website is live
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Our new website is now live and brings together six of our previous websites into a single, streamlined website. It works on all mobile and tablet devices and has useful search features.
We’ve also taken the opportunity to review and refine our web content to make it as easy as possible to find the information you need. The site includes a range of new digital tools including data visualisations and online notification forms.
Check out our work-related health landing page.
If you have feedback on the new site, please let us know by filling out this online form.
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