Sun Safety on the Frontline: Why Outdoor Workers Can’t Afford to Leave Protection to Chance

At Bodycare, we’ve long known that the risks workers face outdoors go beyond slips, trips and heavy-lifting. And while it’s easy to focus on the “louder” machinery, electrical or fall hazards, it’s important to also draw attention to the “silent” hazard of sun exposure and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can equally carry acute risks as well as serious long-term health consequences.  

Prolonged exposure to UV remains one of the most overlooked hazards in the field and the data shows there is some serious work to be done. Here’s what the Australian research tells us about the state of sun safety on the frontline, and how Bodycare can help you reduce the risk of skin damage and occupational disease amongst your crews. 

Reframing Sun Exposure from an Everyday Hazard to an Occupational Health Issue 

Recent survey data highlighted by SafetyCulture (2024) reports that nearly half of outdoor workers had been sunburnt at work in the previous year. Considering the sample size was roughly 1,000 Australian outdoor workers, that is quite a striking figure. Workers spending large parts of their day outdoors face far higher UV-dose than indoor colleagues, making sun safety a legitimate occupational health and safety issue, not simply solved by slapping on a hat. 

Repeated unprotected UV exposure is the single most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancer. But, despite awareness, behaviours often don’t follow, which tells us that knowledge alone is not enough. Instead, prevention means combining awareness, policy systems and regular health checks – including skin screening – to keep your workforce safe and productive.  

Gaps, Attitudes and Behaviours 

Several key findings from SafetyCulture’s (2024) survey warrant attention for any organisation managing outdoor teams: 

• Of outdoor workers surveyed, about 64% said they “simply forgot” to apply sun protection. 

• Around 23% said they don’t have time to apply it, while other non-priority tasks (grabbing a coffee, going to the gym, having a drink) were ranked as more pressing by some. 

• On the employer side: only about 50% of workplaces had a formal sun-protection policy – and just around 25% of businesses actually were enforcing them. 

• Nearly 30% of employers don’t supply any form of sun-protection PPE to outdoor staff. 

Interestingly, although many workers seem to express concern about long-term effects (93% were reportedly concerned about the long-term impacts of working in the sun) the behaviour gap remains. This tells us that having a policy is not enough unless it is actively enforced and backed by leadership. This is because worker behaviour tends not to change just because they are informed of the risk – systems need to make the sun-safe behaviour practical, habitual and built into workflows, so that forgetfulness or distraction can no longer be an excuse. 

Recommendations to Make Sun Safety Real 

Outdoor work will remain a high-risk sector for UV exposure and skin damage, especially if the organisational culture does not treat sun safety as a core part of OH&S. Based on the research and evidence, your outdoor workforce management strategy can have sun-safety embedded by: 

1. Developing and enforcing a sun-protection policy – One that covers scheduling (avoid or reduce midday high-UV work), PPE provision (sunscreen, UV-rated clothing, broad-brim hats or hard-hats with neck flaps, safety sunglasses), shade breaks and monitoring. 

1. Using checklists and toolbox talks – Incorporate sun safety into existing safety briefings by providing reminders to check hats, sunscreen, sleeves and shade options. 

1. Automating weather/UV alerts – Use UV-index or heat-stress alerts to automatically trigger protective action such as extra shade breaks, rescheduling or rotating tasks. 

1. Supplying the right PPE – Sunscreen (broad spectrum, water-resistant, SPF 30+ as a minimum), long-sleeved and UV-rated shirts, pants, hats or neck flaps, UV-rated sunglasses. 

1. Peer-to-peer reminders – Encourage teams to look out for each other by asking sun-smart questions, to build a positive safety culture rather than having a tick-box feel. 

1. Regular skin checks and monitoring – Given the exposure risk, regular professional skin examinations are a critical part of early detection (and where Bodycare can help). 

Why Skin Checks Are Vital 

Bodycare takes a proactive approach to protecting outdoor workers from the long-term consequences of UV exposure. Our skin check service offers: 

• A full professional skin examination by qualified clinicians, targeting areas prone to sun damage (face, neck, hands, arms). 

• Documentation of any lesions or changes and a recommended follow-up plan. 

• A report you can share with your OH&S team for tracking, trending and proactive intervention. 

• Education for the worker on signs to monitor, self-check methods and how to integrate sun-safe behaviour into daily routines. 

By coupling a strong sun-safety system with regular skin checks, you not only protect the individual and demonstrate a very intentional investment in their health, but also reduce absenteeism from UV-related skin conditions, lower long-term liability risk from potential occupational skin cancer claims and show compliance regulators that your business takes UV risk seriously. 

Sun Safety Made Simple

The data is clear: many outdoor workers are getting sunburnt at work, and too many organisations are not prioritising sun protection. Outdoor workers don’t have the luxury of choosing between shade and the job, but what they can have is an employer who is committed to their sun safety. 

By embedding sun safety into your OHS program and teaming up with Bodycare for regular skin screening, you can turn “forgot” and “too busy” into “checked, protected and ready to go!”. Get in touch with Bodycare today and let us help you stay safe out there.