Part 3: Case study 1 - ARPANSA leads the way as a SunSmart workplace
ARPANSA has committed to workplace sun protection and presenting best practice for solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) safety in the workplace by becoming a SunSmart workplace.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two out of three Australians developing some form of skin cancer. The majority of skin cancers in Australia are caused by exposure to solar UVR. This makes them highly common but also highly preventable.
On 23 November 2017, ARPANSA was recognised as a ‘SunSmart workplace’ and celebrated the occasion with a family day at the Yallambie office. The then Assistant Minister for Health, the Honourable David Gillespie, the Chair of Cancer Council Australia Public Health Committee Craig Sinclair and ARPANSA’s CEO Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson, were present to make the official announcement. The day’s celebration included sun-safe show bags and the SunSmart mascot, Sid the Seagull.
The SunSmart workplace agreement was officially signed by Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson in December 2017. Being a SunSmart workplace requires meeting Cancer Council Victoria guidelines for sun protection policies and practices. ARPANSA’s SunSmart workplace initiatives include:
- provision of personal protective equipment including UPF 50+ hats, SPF 30+ sunscreen and EPF 10 rated sunglasses
- provision of appropriate shade for outdoor areas
- implementation of flexible and considered working arrangements to prevent staff working outside during peak solar UVR periods of the day.
As the Australian authority on radiation protection, it is important ARPANSA display best practice in solar UVR protection for our staff and the wider Australian community. Becoming a SunSmart workplace has been one of the ways ARPANSA displays its commitment to raising
awareness of the risks of solar UVR and skin cancer prevention. ARPANSA provides testing services for sun protection products and issues UPF rating labels for clothing so that consumers can make informed choices. ARPANSA’s real-time UV monitoring network also provides critical data for the Cancer Council SunSmart app.
