Controlling the risk of Sun Exposure
admin • December 15, 2025
Sun exposure is one of the most underestimated workplace hazards, especially for outdoor workers. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause serious health risks, but with the right protections, employers and employees can reduce these dangers.
Why Sun Exposure is a Workplace Hazard
- UV radiation risk: Outdoor workers are exposed to UV radiation for long periods, which can lead to skin damage, sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancers.
- Eye health: UV rays can also damage the eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts and other vision problems.
- Heat stress: Extended time in the sun raises the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, which can impair concentration and increase accident risks.
- Cumulative exposure: Unlike a one-time hazard, UV damage builds up over years, making outdoor workers particularly vulnerable.
Employer Responsibilities
The legislation prescribes that employers must provide a safe workplace that is without risks to health and safety. As such, employers must take steps to eliminate or reduce UV exposure risks so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes:
- Risk assessment: Identifying tasks and times of day when UV exposure is highest.
- Protective measures: Providing shade structures, scheduling work outside peak UV hours (10 am–3 pm), and rotating tasks to limit exposure.
- Education: Training workers on the dangers of UV radiation and how to protect themselves.
- Policy implementation: Establishing sun protection policies as part of workplace health and safety systems.
- Monitoring conditions: Being aware of UV index levels and reporting unsafe conditions.
- Consulting with employees: in relation to the hazard of sun exposure.
Worker Responsibilities
Under the OHS Act, employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own, and others, health and safety and to co-operate with measures taken by their employer to ensure health and safety. Employees can play a role in protecting themselves by, for example:
- Wearing protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection.
- Applying sunscreen: Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen should be applied regularly throughout the day.
- Hydration: Drinking water frequently to prevent heat stress.
- Monitoring and reporting: Being aware of UV index levels and reporting unsafe conditions.
Building a Sun-Safe Workplace Culture
Creating a workplace culture that prioritizes sun safety is essential. This means:
- Normalising sunscreen use and reapplication breaks.
- Encouraging workers to look out for each other’s wellbeing.
- Making protective gear accessible and mandatory.
- Recognising that sun protection is not just a personal choice but a workplace safety requirement.
Key Takeaways
- Sun exposure is a serious occupational hazard for outdoor workers.
- Employers must provide protections such as shade, scheduling, and training.
- Workers must take proactive steps like wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen.
- A strong workplace culture around sun safety reduces risks and promotes long-term health.
Sunlight is vital for life, but in the workplace, it must be managed like any other hazard. Hazard identification and risk control is a legal requirement under the OHS Act. By treating UV exposure with the same seriousness as machinery or chemicals, employers and workers can ensure safer, healthier outdoor environments.
For more guidance in relation to this: Sun protection for outdoor workers | WorkSafe Victoria
If you’ve spent any time on a Victorian farm, you know the quad bike is as common as the gum tree. It’s the workhorse that gets you from the dairy shed to the back paddock in minutes. But while ATVs save time and effort, they also carry serious risks, especially when safety takes a back seat. Studies have found that rollover and crush protection on quad bikes is saving lives, particularly in Victoria, where farm fatalities have been steadily declining. Yet, despite these improvements, quad bike incidents remain one of the leading causes of death and injury on Australian farms. Quad bikes (also called ATVs) are incredibly useful for mustering livestock, carrying supplies, and navigating rough terrain. But their stability can be deceptive, with uneven ground, high speeds, or heavy loads easily leading to rollovers. In Victoria, WorkSafe data shows that most fatal incidents involve the bike overturning and trapping the rider. Since October 2021, the national quad bike safety standard has required: Operator Protection Devices (OPDs) to reduce crush injuries in rollovers. Minimum stability requirements for new models. Warning labels about rollover risks. Victoria has been ahead of the curve, with strong farm safety campaigns and subsidies to help farmers retrofit OPDs. Practical Safety Tips for Victorian Farmers Always Wear a Helmet . Even at low speeds, head injuries can be fatal. Fit a Crush Protection Device . These can prevent you from being pinned under the bike. Match the Bike to the Job . Don’t overload or tow beyond the manufacturer’s limits. Ride to the Conditions . Slow down on slopes, wet ground, or unfamiliar tracks. Never Carry Passengers . Unless the ATV is specifically designed for more than one rider. Training Matters . Enrol in an accredited ATV safety course to sharpen your skills and make sure all operators have adequate training to operate the vehicle. Don’t forget that the employer has a duty to provide information, instruction and training to ensure that employees can work safely. Review the terrain before undertaking the task . Some areas of the farm may need to be strictly off-limits for ATV use. Look at alternative options . Some farmers are switching to side-by-side vehicles (SSVs), whic h offer seatbelts and roll cages. While not risk-free, they can be safer for certain tasks, provided operators still follow safety protocols. ATVs are here to stay on Victorian farms, but so is the responsibility to use them safely. With the right equipment, training, and by keeping safety front-of-mind you can make sure your quad bike remains a tool, not a threat. If you’re a Victorian farmer, check your quad bike today. Is it fitted with a crush protection device? Are you wearing a helmet every ride? Safety isn’t just about compliance, it’s about coming home at the end of the day. For more information, take a look at: New study finds safety protection on quad bikes is driving down farm deaths - ABC News How the new national quad bike safety standard affects farmers in Victoria | WorkSafe Victoria
Today is the anniversary of the banning of Engineered Stone. On the 1 st July 2024, Engineered Stone was banned due to the high levels of silica it contained, which presented a health and safety risk to those working with it. The banning of engineered stone is a huge win for the safety and health of workers, but it does not mean that workers are safe from silica related disease. Workers can still be exposed to silica from other sources, including: Stone Asphalt Cement, mortar and grout Concrete, concrete blocks and cement products Bricks and pavers Tiles Sand These and related products still present a risk and this comes in the form of respirable crystalline silica. Small particles of silica can be produced when dust is produces through cutting, sanding or processing the materials. This can occur during manufacturing and construction, when mining or digging, and when handling waste. The silica dust can be breathed deep into the lungs and can cause serious disease., including silicosis, fibrosis, COPD, bronchitis and lung cancer. In addition, it can cause other systemic diseases including serious effects on the kidneys, immune system, eyes, etc. Employers must control the risk of exposure and workers should be aware of the risks so that they can make sure that they are safe. BeSafe is still horrified to occasionally see dry cutting by workers who may not be aware of the serious risks of this practice. Just remember, that just because engineered stone has been banned, it doesn’t mean you are safe from silica related disease. Make sure you know how to protect yourself and stay safe from this serious and deadly hazard. More information: For the general information page with resources relating to crystalline silica, take a look at: Crystalline silica | WorkSafe Victoria For information relating to how employers must identify hazards, assess risk, control the risk and review and revise controls regularly, take a look at: Preparing a crystalline silica hazard control statement for high-risk crystalline silica work | WorkSafe Victoria For a practical guide on how to safely work with engineered stone, including exemptions, take a look at Compliance code: Engineered stone | WorkSafe Victoria