Working in the sun

To reduce the risk of heat related illness and fatigue, be proactive and develop plans. Make sure workers are protected when working outdoors by monitoring the weather forecasts, planning ahead and rescheduling certain tasks to earlier or later in the day.

Australian workers are more vulnerable to skin cancer due to exposure to high levels of UV radiation. Workers are encouraged to take precautions to avoid sun damage. It is advisable to wear comfortable task specific clothing, a hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, lip balm and wraparound sunglasses.

When working in hot environments it’s better to have frequent smaller drinks of cooled water rather than infrequent large drinks. On hot days it is preferable to drink a small cup (200ml) of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes.

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