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
BeSafe Victoria is pleased to announce the upcoming delivery of a new Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Refresher OHS Training Course focused on Aggression and Violence in the workplace . This is a brand new WorkSafe developed training course, which equips HSRs with practical knowledge and skills to address one of the most significant psychosocial hazards facing Victorian workplaces today. Workplace aggression and violence can occur in any industry and the impacts can be both physical and psychological, not only affecting the person directly involved but also those who witness or are exposed to these incidents. Impacts also extend beyond the workplace to affect family and community. The new course explores aggression and violence through a risk management lens, building skills in hazard identification, assessing risks, finding effective controls and in contributing to effective workplace consultation. The training aligns with the growing emphasis on managing psychosocial hazards and reflects contemporary workplace health and safety expectations, including the management of aggression and violence as a workplace risk. The knowledge gained is important in ensuring that legal obligations, including those relating to the Psychological Health Regulations, are met and that workplaces are safe. As always, BeSafe Victoria is committed to providing engaging, practical and relevant training. This new refresher course offers an excellent opportunity for participants to strengthen their knowledge, build confidence in addressing workplace risks and return to their workplaces with practical strategies for supporting safer work environments. Bookings for this new HSR Refresher OHS Training Course on Aggression and Violence will be available soon. To register your interest, go to HSR Training and support | BeSafe | Regional Victoria or email us at info@besafevictoria.com.au We look forward to helping you create safer, healthier and more respectful workplaces across Victoria.
When Winter sweeps across Victoria, temperatures can drop sharply, especially in regional areas and early mornings. For outdoor workers, or those in cold storage and refrigerated environments, these conditions aren’t just uncomfortable, they can be dangerous if not managed properly. Working in a cold environment can lead to: Hypothermia : when body temperature drops below safe levels. Frostbite : damage to skin and tissue from freezing. Reduced dexterity : making tasks harder and increasing risk of incidents. Slips and falls : from ice, frost, or wet surfaces. Fatigue : as the body works harder to stay warm. Increase in prevalence of other conditions: such as arthritis and bronchitis. Under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (The Act), employers must provide a safe working environment. This includes: Identifying cold-related hazards. Implementing control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk as far as reasonably practicable. Follow a risk management process in relation to the hazard. Consult with your workforce throughout the process. When you have identified that you have a cold hazard in your workplace, you must control the risk as far as reasonably practicable. As, always this means working through the Hierarchy of Control from top to bottom. Here are some ways you could think about controlling the cold hazard in your workplace: Eliminate: Think about changing work scheduling if weather is extreme. Substitute: Think about whether you could move the work to another location. Isolate: Protect the workers from the cold, for example by providing shelter. Engineer: Can you provide heating or insulation in this work situation? Administrative controls: Could include changes to the workflow or rosters. Training must be provided, including training in the signs of cold stress and treatment. PPE: Such as weatherproof clothing, hats, face covers, boots, and allowing for drying or replacement of gear. Don’t forget that, under The Act, Consultation must be undertaken at every step of the process. Monitoring of the controls must also occur, especially as conditions change. Frosts and wind chill factor should be taken into account, as well as seasonal or unexpected weather changes. Cold conditions in Victoria can be managed with the right planning, clothing, and awareness. Employers and workers share the responsibility to ensure everyone stays safe, warm, and healthy through the winter months. Health and safety representatives are a key part of the co-operative process required to create safe workplaces. For more information on this topic, take a look at: Cold - OHS Reps Extreme cold | Comcare For specific guidance regarding cold storage facilities: Safe operation of cold storage facilities: A handbook for workplaces | WorkSafe Victoria