Outdoor Workers

Protect yourself with proper clothing

Protective clothing is one of the best forms of sun protection, and here’s some tips to make sure yours is giving you the best possible protection.

Look for clothing rated UPF50+, which provides excellent sun protection.
Choose medium to dark fabric colours as they absorb more UV radiation than light colours and are cooler than black.
The more skin that is covered, the better, so choose long sleeves and long pants.
Choose a shirt made with a high percentage of natural fibre (e.g. cotton, wool, bamboo), as it will be more comfortable than synthetic materials.
Look for shirts with lots of well-placed venting, but not large amounts of mesh where the UV radiation can reach the skin beneath.

Know your sunscreen and use it everyday

When applied and reapplied correctly, sunscreen provides effective sun protection. However, sunscreen should not be relied on as the only form of sun protection.

An SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen offers the best protection.
Apply sunscreen to clean, dry skin, 20 minutes before heading outside.
Regardless of the instructions on the bottle, remember to reapply every two hours, or more often if sweating excessively.
Adults should apply at least one teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, leg, front of body and back of body and head (including the face, ears and neck)—that is, 35ml (or seven teaspoons) of sunscreen for one full body application.
Sunscreen can expire, so always check the expiry date and store in a cool place below 30°C. As work vehicles can get very hot, keep sunscreen in your cooler box instead.
Dry-touch sunscreens are available. These may be a good option for those who don’t like the feel of wearing sunscreen, or work in a dusty environment.

Slap on hats for outdoor work

Make sure your hat provides the best protection

• Avoid baseball caps – they leave your nose, cheeks, chin, neck and ears exposed, which are common sites for skin cancer.
• Choose a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire-style hat for the best protection.
• Look for broad-brimmed hats with a brim of at least 7.5cm.
• Look for bucket hats with a deep crown, which sit low on the head and have an angled brim of at least 6cm.
• Look for legionnaire-style hats with a flap that covers the neck.
• Choose a hat with an ultraviolet protection rating (UPF) of 50+, or has a tight weave to stop UV radiation getting through
• Attaching brims and neck flaps will improve the sun protection of hard hats and helmets.

Make the most of shade

If you’re fortunate enough to have shade available at work, make use of it wherever possible, including during breaks.

This may be in the form of permanent shade, portable shade (such as gazebos) or trees. Whatever you use, make sure it casts a dark shadow, and remember, UV can reflect off surfaces, so make sure you use other forms of sun protection as well.

Are your sunnies up to the job?

Sunglasses don’t just reduce glare; they also protect your eyes from damage such as cataracts, or even cancer.

In Australia, all sunglasses sold must include UV protection. Look for the words ‘good UV protection’ on the label or swing tag.
Look for glasses that fit close to your face and provide protection from the sides in the form of a wrap-around design, or have side shields. These reduce UV radiation reaching the eyes around the edge or top of the glasses.
Safety glasses with UV protection area also available, these can be clear or tinted and provide the benefits of both UV protection and impact protection.