Ultra-violet (UV) radiation
Learn about ultra-violet (UV) radiation, the risks and how to prevent exposure in the workplace.
On this page
This page is about solar UV radiation. For information about artificial UV radiation (produced through arc welding, exposure to specialised lights and lasers used in hospitals and laboratories) visit our Ionising and non-ionising radiation webpage.
UV radiation exposure
Exposure to UV radiation from the sun is a known cause of skin cancer.
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Over 95% of these skin cancers are caused by exposure to solar UV radiation. Many result in death.
Exposure to UV radiation can damage all skin types – the damage is permanent, irreversible and increases with each exposure. Exposure can cause:
- melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (both of which can be fatal)
- sunburn, premature ageing, short-term eye problems and permanent eye damage, such as cataracts.
Workers who spend all (or even part) of the day outdoors have a high risk of developing skin cancer. In NSW, men aged 40 years and older are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer – they are more than 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma and around 2½ more likely to die from melanoma than women of a similar age.
Employers or businesses have a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers and others in the workplace. They must consult with their workers and/or health and safety representatives (HSRs) to apply suitable controls to ensure workers are protected from UV radiation exposure risks.
UV Index
The UV Index classifies UV radiation levels from 1 to 14 – the higher the number, the stronger the UV radiation. UV radiation levels of 3 and above damage unprotected skin and eyes.
In NSW, UV levels average between 6 - 10 all year round, with levels of 3 and above routinely occurring outside of peak exposure times (between 10am-2pm, or 11am-3pm during daylight savings). NSW workplaces must have systems in place to protect outdoor workers from exposure to UV radiation.
UV radiation is present during daylight hours – it begins at sunrise and increases in intensity during the morning, with peak levels occurring in the middle of the day and then decreasing in intensity until sunset.
Exposure to UV radiation does not only occur on hot and clear sunny days – it is present on cool and cold days and can pass through clouds on overcast days.
Managing workplace UV radiation risks
Risk management must be used to prevent workplace UV radiation exposure risk. Workplaces must:
- consult with workers and/or HSRs at every stage of the risk management process
- when a number of businesses have workers onsite, consultation must occur with all relevant parties – suitable, long-term solutions to UV radiation exposure risks are easier to find when everyone works together
- eliminate UV radiation exposure risks where possible. If the risk/s cannot be eliminated, the hierarchy of controls must be used to reduce all remaining exposure risks so far as reasonably practicable. Usually, a combination of control measures will be needed to get the best results.
UV/sun protection program
When developing an easy-to-follow UV/sun protection program in consultation with your workers and/or HSRs, it should include a workplace UV/sun Protection Policy (it can be standalone or included within the main WHS Policy) and documented UV/sun protection procedures to:
- ensure all selected UV/sun protection control measures are used
- ensure information, instruction and training for workers about UV radiation, its risks and how to work safely outdoors is provided
- ensure constant monitoring and review of the program’s effectiveness
- perform regular assessments of the UV exposure risk to all workers.
Eliminating risk
Where possible, eliminate exposure to UV radiation. Examples include:
- relocate outdoor work so it is done indoors e.g. roof trusses, pre-cast slabs and panels can be made in the factory and assembled onsite later
- use drones or other technology to avoid worker exposure to UV radiation e.g. monitor agriculture, crops, livestock, fences and dams remotely.
Engineering controls
Engineering controls significantly reduce direct exposure to UV radiation. For example:
- erect permanent shade structures e.g. fixed canopies or awnings
- provide temporary shade structures over sections of the site to create shade where work is being carried out e.g. umbrellas, canopies or awnings
- provide indoor or shaded facilities for rest breaks near areas where work is being done e.g. an air-conditioned shed
- apply window tinting to work vehicles.
Administrative controls and PPE
Develop and implement suitable safe work procedures to:
Monitor the forecast “sun protection times” for the outdoor workplace location every day
- use the ARPANSA UV radiation index and/or the Cancer Council SunSmart app to identify the daily timeframe that UV levels will be 3 and above and when UV protection measures must be used
- designate person/s responsible for monitoring the UV/sun protection timeframes and communicate/display the information and other UV safety messages (such as when to re-apply sunscreen) to workers, so it is easily visible and understood by all staff
- ensure workers with work restrictions can be accommodated, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Plan or reschedule outdoor work
Rotate outdoor workers regularly to reduce their length of exposure to UV radiation and plan and/or reschedule work routines so outdoor work tasks are:
- done early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the UV radiation levels are lower
- done indoors or in shaded areas when UV radiation levels are 3 and above.
Inform and train all workers
Information and training must be provided to all workers and should include:
- what UV radiation is and the risks of exposure
- UV/sun protection timeframes
- how to work safely outdoors
- how to avoid sunburn and how to report workplace incidents and injuries, such as severe sunburn
- the control measures being used in the workplace to manage UV radiation risks
- how to use, wear, maintain and store PPE correctly.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE must be included as an essential part of any outdoor work activity when UV levels are above 3 and workers are required to work outdoors. PPE is only effective if it is worn, used, maintained and stored correctly. Essential PPE for outdoor workers includes:
- a shirt with a collar and long-sleeves; and trousers
- All clothing items must be made of fabric that has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of 50+ and an Australian Government sun protection rating swing tag attached to show compliance with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) testing requirements
- a wide-brimmed bucket or legionnaire style UPF 50+ hat
- hard hats should be fitted with attachable brims and neck flaps
- baseball caps do not provide adequate protection from UV radiation
- broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+ or higher to protect any remaining unprotected skin.
When selecting PPE, consider if it could cause other safety issues, e.g. loose shirts may pose a danger if worn near certain power tools.
Related tools and information
SafeWork NSW recommends the following tools and resources to assist workplaces manage outdoor workers’ exposure to UV radiation:
- SafeWork NSW
- Safe Work Australia (SWA)
- Guide on exposure to solar ultra-violet radiation (UVR) – includes information on UV / sun protection program and sample UV / sun protection policy
- Cancer Council NSW
- Sample Sun Protection Policy for outdoor workers
- Guidelines to Shade
- Sample UV risk assessment for outdoor workers
- Sample Sun Safety Action Plan for outdoor workers
- Champion's Implementation guide
- SunSmart app is free to download and provides the daily averaged forecast “sun protection timeframe” for multiple locations across NSW, including regional. It:
- can be set to the location/area where the work is being done
- provides the specific daily timeframe when UV radiation levels are 3 and above and UV protection must be worn
- has a 2-hourly reminder alert to apply sunscreen.
- Cancer Institute NSW provides information about skin cancer prevention - what it is, how to stay safe, and what is being done in NSW
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
- UV radiation index – details daily UV radiation levels in real-time for Sydney and Newcastle locations
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Radiation Protection Series No 12 – Occupational Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation – provides information on solar and artificial UV radiation and the protection measures required
- About UV and sun protection times