The risks of working in the sun and heat
People who spend a lot of time in the sun risk developing skin cancer, other skin disorders, eye injuries, heat stress and heat-related illness. People can experience heat related illness during periods of extreme heat in summer. It can also occur in athletes or others during periods of exertion.
People are most at risk during heat waves and when the temperature hovers about 5°C or more above average for three or more days. The risk is increased when elevated temperatures are combined with increased humidity.
It is vital that workers be protected against harmful UV exposure, Queenslanders have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
More on skin cancer prevention in the workplace (Queensland government website).
Two out of three Queenslanders can expect to develop some type of skin cancer, the result of over-exposure to the sun's ultra violet (UV) rays.
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