Arm yourself against the sun
Did you know that outdoor workers receive up to 10 times more exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation than indoor workers?
UV radiation causes up to 99% of skin cancers in Australia. When you remember your sun protection, you reduce your risk of skin cancer.
That’s not all
- 2 in 3 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime
- Each year, around 200 melanomas and 34,000 non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV radiation while working outside
- Around 80% of all newly-diagnosed cancers are skin cancers
- GPs have almost 1 million patient consultations per year for skin cancer
Sun safety is important all year round
Even when it’s overcast, UV radiation can still have damaging effects and increase your long-term risk of developing skin cancer.
Defend yourself with more than just a hat.
To reduce your risk of skin cancer, do the five – slip, slop, slap, seek, slide.
These actions are important as they work together to ensure every part of your body is protected from UV radiation.
Slip
Slip on sun-protective clothing to cover as much of your skin as possible. Long pants and long-sleeved collared shirts are a good option.
Slop
Slop on SPF30 or higher sunscreen. This is the last line of defence for the parts of the body which cannot be covered any other way. Remember to reapply at least every two hours!
Slap
Slap on a broad-brimmed hat. Not a cap. Brim attachments are available for hard hats and helmets. Legionnaire-style hats are a good alternative if a broad-brimmed hat doesn’t suit your type of work, as they protect your ears and neck.
Seek
Seek shade. Reduce your exposure to the sun with shade whenever possible, especially during breaks. This will also help reduce your likelihood of heat stress.
Slide
Slide on some sunglasses – close-fitting, wrap-around styles are best.
Don’t play games with the sun
In a battle against the sun, you don’t stand a chance at winning without upgrading your armour.
These campaign videos aim to provide you with more awareness of the dangers of UV radiation on your skin, and to give you a visual representation of what good sun protection looks like. Choose your fighter and find out how to increase sun protection and lower your risk of skin cancer!