Summer Is Coming: Is Skin Health Part of Your Workplace Safety Strategy?

Why protecting outdoor workers from UV exposure should be part of your organisation’s proactive approach to workplace health. 

As summer approaches, Australian workplaces are preparing for the challenges of warmer weather. While heat stress, hydration and fatigue are often front of mind, there’s another important workplace health risk that shouldn’t be overlooked: UV exposure and long-term skin health. 

For employees working in construction, transport, utilities, maintenance, and other outdoor environments, sun exposure can be a regular part of the working day. 

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, making sun safety an important consideration for employers, particularly those managing outdoor and high-exposure workforces. 

While protective clothing, sunscreen, and shade remain essential, there’s also an opportunity for businesses to take a more proactive approach through skin health education, awareness and access to workplace skin checks.

So, is skin health getting the attention it deserves in your workplace? 

The Hidden Risk of Everyday Sun Exposure 

For many outdoor workers, UV exposure isn’t limited to a weekend at the beach. It’s part of their everyday working environment. 

Whether it’s a construction worker spending hours onsite, a utility worker travelling between locations or a maintenance employee completing outdoor tasks, repeated exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can contribute to skin damage over time. 

And importantly, UV exposure isn’t just a summer concern. Harmful UV levels can occur throughout the year, even on cooler or cloudy days. 

According to Cancer Council Australia, approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. 

For employers, this reinforces the importance of considering cumulative sun exposure as part of broader workplace health and safety planning. 

Which Workers Face Greater UV Exposure? 

While all Australians should be mindful of sun protection, some industries and occupations face greater exposure due to the nature of their work. 

These can include: 

• Construction and infrastructure: Employees working on building sites, roads and other outdoor projects. 

• Transport and logistics: Drivers, delivery workers and employees frequently moving between indoor and outdoor environments. 

• Utilities and telecommunications: Workers maintaining outdoor infrastructure and equipment. 

• Agriculture and landscaping: Employees spending extended periods working outside. 

• Maintenance and facilities: Teams regularly completing outdoor inspections, repairs and physical tasks. 

For these workforces, sun safety should be considered alongside other occupational risks, including manual handling, fatigue and physical injury.                 

Beyond Sunscreen: Taking a Proactive Approach to Skin Health 

When we think about sun safety at work, sunscreen, hats and protective clothing are usually the first measures that come to mind. 

And rightly so. Preventing excessive UV exposure remains the most important step in reducing skin cancer risk. 

However, a comprehensive workplace approach should also consider how employees are supported to recognise potential skin concerns and seek professional advice when needed. 

This might include: 

• Providing appropriate sun protection, shade and access to sunscreen. 

• Planning outdoor tasks around UV exposure where reasonably practicable. 

• Educating employees about UV risks and changes to look for in their skin. 

• Encouraging employees to seek medical advice about new or changing spots. 

• Offering access to professional workplace skin checks as part of a broader health and wellbeing program. 

Where Do Workplace Skin Checks Fit In? 

Workplace skin checks can be a valuable addition to an organisation’s broader preventative health strategy, particularly for employees who regularly work outdoors. 

By making professional skin checks more accessible, employers can help remove some of the practical barriers that may prevent employees from prioritising their skin health. 

For busy workers, finding time to arrange a skin check outside working hours may not always be a priority. Bringing this service into the workplace can make it easier for employees to take that first step. 

Professional skin checks can help identify suspicious skin changes that may require further medical assessment, while also providing an opportunity to reinforce the importance of ongoing skin awareness and sun protection. 

Importantly, skin checks support early detection rather than preventing skin cancer itself. They should complement, not replace, effective workplace UV protection measures. 

Small Preventative Steps Can Make a Bigger Difference 

At Bodycare, we often talk about the importance of early intervention when it comes to workplace injuries. The same proactive mindset can extend to broader employee health. 

Whether it’s identifying musculoskeletal discomfort before it develops into a more significant injury, supporting mental health concerns early or encouraging employees to take their skin health seriously, small actions can contribute to better long-term outcomes. 

For employers, the opportunity is to look beyond individual wellbeing initiatives and consider how different services can work together. 

For example, an organisation already investing in onsite injury prevention, health assessments or wellbeing education could incorporate workplace skin checks into its annual health calendar. 

Rather than treating skin health as a standalone summer initiative, it becomes part of a more consistent approach to supporting workforce health. 

Make Skin Health a Priority This Summer 

With summer approaching, now is a timely opportunity to review your workplace’s approach to UV protection and employee skin health. 

Whether your workforce spends most of its time outdoors or regularly moves between different working environments, making skin health education and professional checks more accessible can be a practical addition to your workplace wellbeing strategy. 

Because supporting a healthier workforce isn’t only about managing injuries and illness when they occur. It’s also about helping your people recognise risks and take action earlier. 

Ready to Prioritise Skin Health in Your Workplace? 

Explore how workplace skin check services can support your employees this summer and beyond.