Fact Sheet: Safety in the Sun

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1 Fact Sheet: Safety in the Sun Clicking here can download the Code Of Practice 2001: Code Of Practice 2001: Work in Hot or Cold Environments Why is working in the heat bad for your health? Human beings need to maintain a constant body temperature if they are to stay healthy. Working in high temperatures will induce heat stress when more heat is absorbed into the body than can be dissipated out. Heat illness such as prickly heat, fainting from heat exhaustion or heat cramps are visible signs that people are working in unbearable heat. In the most severe cases, the body's temperature control system breaks down altogether and body temperature rises rapidly. This is heat stroke, which can be fatal. There is also a risk of skin cancer. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world About 1200 people die from skin cancer in Australia each year, 80% from melanoma The majority of skin cancers are caused as a direct result of frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun, about 90% of skin cancers are found on exposed areas such as the hands and face. Outdoor workers such as those listed below have a high risk of developing skin cancer: Municipal employees Road workers Building and construction workers Postal workers Gardeners Dockyard and harbour workers Outdoor sports and entertainment workers 1

2 Jockeys There are three main types of skin cancer: 1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type; it is usually very small, doesn't spread inside the body and is usually not fatal. The most common areas affected are the central face, nose and eyelids. 2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) rarely spreads to other parts of the body and is seldom fatal. However, it can leave bad scars if is not treated early. This cancer develops rapidly and is less common than BCC. 3. Malignant Melanoma (MM) is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. If not detected early and treated properly, it can spread to other parts of the body. It can grow on places that have not been exposed to the sun - even under toenails and on the soles of the feet. Skin cancer is usually treated by being surgically removed. The earlier the detection and treatment, the less likely that unsightly scarring and disfigurement will result. In particular, the importance of early diagnosis of melanoma cannot be overemphasised. Prevention is better than cure Prevention and protection There are many ways to protect yourself from the sun when you need to work outside. It is very important to take into account the following factors: Workers who are regularly exposed to the sun should be warned about the potential hazards and advised on how to avoid exposure. Outdoor workers need to be clearly aware of the fact that every time they go out into the sun, they are a target for skin cancer. The effect of exposure is cumulative and is 2

3 not reversible - the damage adds up until some years later when cancers start to appear. It is very important to check for: Any new freckle, mole, sunspot or unhealed sore on your skin. A spot that looks different from the other spots around it. A spot that has changed in colour, size or shape over the last few weeks or months. Things to remember Outdoor workers are in one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer. Your employer has a duty of care to protect you from overexposure to UV radiation. Talk to your employer about introducing sun protection methods to the workplace. never rely on sunscreen alone. You can still get sunburnt even when wearing sunscreen if you spend considerable time in the sun. Remember: No matter what type of skin you have you are at risk of developing skin cancers! Heat Related Illness During very hot and extreme heat conditions, people are at greater risk of health problems. These can be specific heat-related illnesses or a worsening of existing medical problems. What are extreme heat conditions? Risk is greatest 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 high temperatures are combined with increased humidity. 3

4 What is heat related illness? Heat related illness can occur when the body is unable to cool itself adequately. The body normally cools itself by sweating. In some situations, sweating isn t enough and body temperature rises. This can be associated with different effects ranging from a mild heat rash or cramps through to heat exhaustion or the more severe and potentially fatal heat stroke. People can experience heat related illness during periods of extreme heat in summer. It can also occur in athletes or others during periods of physical exertion. Heat rash Heat rash or prickly heat is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age, but is most common in young children. Heat rash looks like a cluster of red pimples or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, or in creases in the groin, elbow or under the breasts. The best treatment for heat rash is to move to a cooler, less humid environment. Keep the affected area dry. Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort. Avoid using ointments or creams as they keep the skin warm and moist, which may make the condition worse. Heat cramps Heat cramps usually affect people who have sweated a lot during strenuous activity. The sweating depletes the body s salt and fluid, which can lead on to muscle cramps. These painful cramps usually affect the abdomen, arms or legs. Cramps may be an early symptom of the more severe condition of heat exhaustion. 4

5 If medical attention is not necessary, stop all strenuous activity and rest quietly in a cool place. Increase fluid intake using cool water, clear juice or a low sugar sports drink. Do not return to strenuous activity until a few hours after the cramps subside. Seek medical attention if the cramps continue for more than one hour. Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion can develop over several days of extreme hot weather. It is the body s response to gradual depletion of fluid and salt due to sweating. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people exercising or working in a hot environment, or people with high blood pressure, heart or circulation problems. Warning signs include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness and weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, or fainting. Attempt to cool the person with a cool shower, bath or sponge. The person should rest in a cool place. If possible, move the person to an air-conditioned environment. Give cool non-alcoholic fluids. Avoid high sugar drinks. Ensure they are wearing loose, lightweight clothing. If symptoms are severe or don t improve with treatment, or if the person has high blood pressure or heart problems, seek medical attention immediately. Heat stroke Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It can be fatal. It develops when the body loses its ability to sweat and is unable to cool down. Body temperature rises to 41 C or higher. This can occur rapidly over a period of just minutes. Warning signs include extremely high body temperature (above 39 C); red, hot, dry skin, although in some cases some sweating may still be evident; rapid pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness and nausea. 5

6 If heat stroke is suspected, seek medical help immediately, as this is a life threatening emergency. The body temperature must be reduced quickly. Move the person to a cool shaded area. Remove excess clothing. Immerse the person in a tub of cool water, ensuring more than just the extremities are cooled. Alternatively, place the person in a cool shower, spray with cool water from a hose or wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet and fan vigorously. Monitor the body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops below 38 C. Do not give the person fluids to drink unless you are confident they can swallow properly. If unconscious, place the person on their side and clear the airway. If medical attention is delayed, seek further instructions from ambulance or hospital emergency staff. Warning signs of heat exhaustion are : clammy skin confusion lightheadedness fainting slurred speech nausea rapid pulse vomiting weakness short temper fatigue loss of concentration Symptoms that indicate heat stroke include : staggering walk mental confusion hot skin temperature rise (yet person may 6

7 feel chilled) convulsions unconsciousness incoherence deliriousness Is there an upper temperature limit at which workers should stop work? Section 8(i) of the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 states that an employer has a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees. If workers are suffering from any of the above symptoms, then it is clear that your employer is not complying with the law. But the law does not state any precise temperature at which workers should stop work, or any specific actions which must be taken by the employer at certain temperatures. Hot and cold regulatory controls under clauses 47 and 48 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 states that employers must: provide adequate ventilation and air movement in indoor environments that may become hot provide adequate access to heated or sheltered areas and warm clothing or other personal protective equipment if employees are exposed to cold provide appropriate work and rest regimes relative to physical fitness, general health, medication taken and body weight appropriate for both ot or cold working environments. What helps to prevent heat stress? It is obviously more difficult for the employer to control the environment for 7

8 outdoor work, than for indoor work. However, if work has to be done outdoors then employers must be responsible in taking steps that are available to protect workers. These include: The intensity of the sun's rays is at its greatest between 10 am and 2 pm (from 11 am to 3 pm during daylight saving). Work practices should be modified to avoid any unnecessary exposure to ultra-violet radiation during these times. Nonetheless, remember that skin protection is important all year round - not just in summertime. Employers should provide suitable protective clothing for outside workers. Loose, long sleeved shirts or blouses with a collar and long trousers or slacks to protect arms and legs. A hat with an 8cm wide brim or a cap with flaps. Employers should also provide a suitable sunscreen of at least SPF 15+ to protect those areas of skin still exposed to the sun. 15+ means that this type of sunscreen will give at least 15 times the protection that the skin would give. It should be applied to dry clean skin before exposure to the sun and thickly reapplied when you have been in the sun for more than 2 hours. You should still cover-up with protective clothing. Drink plenty of fluids during hot weather cool water is best Don t wait until you are thirsty to drink drink regularly during the whole day Urine colour is a good guide to hydration it should be clear to light straw-coloured, not dark or golden Increase natural ventilation by opening windows and using fans Seek an air-conditioned environment if possible 8

9 Monitor those at high risk Seek your doctor s advice about predisposing medical conditions and medications Wear Dark loose fitting clothing (navy, black, dark red) absorb UV rays and prevent them from reaching the skin better than white and light colours. However, the closeness of the weave is still more important than the colour of the fabric. Avoid light-coloured hat brims that bounce sunlight back onto the face, loose fitting clothing Stay out of the sun if possible Providing canopies or awnings over sections of the site where work is currently being carried out, to shield workers from the ultra-violet rays of the sun, as well as from the direct heat of the sun. Providing regular rest breaks. A ten minute break every hour, in a cooler area, helps the body to cool off, especially where the work is hard, physical work. The length of the break should be increased if the temperature is very high. As a practical guideline, the following measures can be followed in most workplaces: Temperature Rest Period 30 to 32º 10 minutes 32 to 35º 15 minutes more than 35º at least 30 minutes Providing air-conditioned sheds or vehicles for rest breaks. These must obviously be near each area where work is being done, or 9

10 break time will be spent walking to and from the shed or vehicle. Also, the nearer the shed or vehicle, the more likely it is to be used. Provision of cold (non-alcoholic) drinks. Frequent small drinks of cooled water will help replace the water lost to your body through sweat, before dehydration begins. This is better than infrequent large drinks. Again, the cold water supplies should be near each working position, to encourage frequent drinks. Alcoholic drinks should not be taken as replacement fluids. Alcohol stimulates the body to eliminate fluids, and will increase your risk of dehydration. For example, if you drink one can of beer, you will lose more than that volume of urine. Salt tablets should not be taken - more water will be required by the body to help it get rid of the salt - this will increase the amount of work the kidneys must do and increase the risk of dehydration. Salt tablets also increase the risk of high blood pressure. Drinking water will not give you stomach cramps, as some people believe. What action should be taken if someone has symptoms of heat illness? First take the sufferer to a cooler area (for example, an air-conditioned shed or vehicle). Then remove excess clothing (hard hat, boots, shirt) Give water to drink, if conscious. Allow the person to rest if they are suffering from heat exhaustion If the person is suffering from heat stroke they should be cooled with water, cold compresses, and/or rapid fanning. A person suffering from 10

11 heat stroke should be taken to a medical facility for further cooling and monitoring of body functions. REMEMBER: HEAT STRESS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. DON'T TAKE CHANCES! Workplace action to prevent heat stress Ask workers exposed to high temperatures if they find conditions too hot or have any heat stress symptoms. Write a simple questionnaire based on your own knowledge and the symptoms listed on this factsheet. Ask management to measure and record the temperature regularly throughout the year, preferably with an automatic Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature Instrument, or at least with instruments that measure dry temperature and humidity. Safety Reps have a legal right to these results. Put all of your requests to management in writing. Persuade workers to put all incidents of high temperatures and symptoms suffered into the Accident Book. Compare these results with the results of the membership survey, your own monitoring results and the accident and sick/absence record. Do accidents happen more frequently during high temperature conditions? Is there more sick absence during these conditions? Request that management bring in ventilation and heat control consultants to (re)design and install air conditioning or cool air providers, or insulation of radiant heat sources. Your union or the Workers Health Centre will be able to help you with these arrangements. 11

12 Negotiate exposure reduction by frequent rests away from the source of heat and job rotation. Request that the employer provide suitable clothing and footwear - clothing which increases body heat or prevents sweat evaporating is not suitable (for example, nylon). Arrange for regular medical checks of employees particularly of blood pressure. Ask for information and training for all employees on the need for adequate water, recognition of heat symptoms, acclimatisation to heat, exposure build-up for new workers after holidays and types of work which increase heat hazard. This is a legal entitlement under the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act Ensure that first aiders are trained in the recognition of heat symptoms and first aid treatment of heat stress. If you are getting no response from management, consider calling in the WorkCover Inspector who may encourage your employer to take action. Retain copies of your records and written requests to management to show the inspector. 1 Warning on the Dangers of Heavy Work in High Humidity Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat stress and it often leads to death. This is especially likely when there is high humidity. The risk due to combination of heat and humidity is best measured with a Wet Bulb Thermometer rather than the standard Dry Bulb Thermometer. Fatalities have been known to occur when workers have been performing heavy manual handling tasks in hot humid conditions the Wet-Bulb 1 C. Leithead and A. Lind, (1964), Heat Stress and Heat Disorders, (Cassell; London), pages

13 Temperature exceeded 29 degrees C. Death is most likely when tasks require exertion in hot humid conditions (particularly if there is little air movement). It is inadvisable to do strenuous work such as manual handling tasks when the wet bulb temperature exceeds 29 degrees C in workplaces (especially if there is little air movement). The control of the body temperature is best achieved by the evaporation of sweat from the surface of the body. Evaporation rates are highest when the relative humidity of the air is low and the rate of air movement is high. Air movement prevents the formation of a layer of moisture-saturated air above the skin and hence it enhances the rate of sweating. Air movement rates as high as 2.5 metres per second are useful promoting optimum rates of sweating. Unfortunately most overhead fans only create an air movement rate of about 0.7 metres per second. Pedestal fans tend to produce even less air movement. Overhead fans with long (1400 mm) blades with a high pitch angle (over 10 degrees) and wide blade tips are the most effective. Useful Links for Heat Stress Prevention and Heat Waves NSW Department of Health Fact Sheets: Heat Related Illness; tml Heat Stroke; University Of Sydney Guidelines For Indoor Thermal Comfort And Ventilation 13

14 The Sports Medicine Australia Fact Sheets: Beat the Heat - playing and exercising safely in hot weather and their brochure: Drink up - Beat the heat The Bureau of Meterorology websites: What causes thermal stress? and Thermal Comfort observations in NSW & ACT on the web at: Water in the workplace - Wise up on water! SEE ALSO FACT SHEET: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE Further information NSW WorkCover Authority Information line NSW Cancer Council (02) This material was developed by Unions NSW with the assistance of The Workers Health Centre as part of a project funded under the WorkCover NSW WorkCover Assist Program. Any views expressed are not necessarily those of WorkCover NSW. For more information please contact your union. This Fact Sheet is recommended as a guide only and is not a substitute for professional or legal advice. If you need clarification or further advice please consult your Union for further information. 14