Workers most at risk
Workers most at risk of suffering skin cancer and other sun related illness include:
- building and construction industry workers
- car park attendants
- gardeners and ground maintenance staff
- fishing industry workers
- lifeguards
- outdoor council workers
- police officers
- pool attendants
- power line workers
- road workers
- roofers
- rural workers
- truck or delivery van drivers.
Within these industries, 'at risk' groups for sun health effects include:
- people with fair skin (especially those who freckle easily or tan poorly)
- workers who are exposed to direct sunlight between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm
- workers who are exposed to water, construction materials, polished aluminium and grass (common reflectors)
- workers in northern parts of Queensland (This area is closer to the Equator and clear sky ultra violet (UV) radiation levels are about one-third higher in Townsville than in Brisbane. Skin cancer rates in Brisbane are about four times that of areas south of Sydney).
Workplaces where workers are at risk of heat stress because of the hot environment created by the process, or restricted spaces include:
- glass and rubber manufacturing plants
- mines
- foundries and smelting operations
- brick-firing and ceramics plants
- boiler rooms
- bakeries and catering kitchens
- laundries.
Most at risk from heat stress are workers who are:
- dehydrated, whether from alcohol or failure to replace water lost in sweating
- unacclimatised to heat
- overweight or medical conditions particularly if suffering from diseases of the heart, circulation or skin
- workers taking particular medications (diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants - always check with your pharmacist or doctor).
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