Sunburn and Heat Stress
In the primary industry often you may have to work where there is no protection from the sun or work conditions are extremely hot. For employees working outdoors such as farm hands, shepherds, fruit pickers and market garden workers there is a risk of heat stress, sun stroke, sunburn or even skin cancer from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
The effects of exposure to the sun is cumulative - the longer the skin is exposed to the sun, the greater the risk of skin cancers, regardless of tan or skin pigment. Short-term risks include sunburn blistering and peeling, acute skin reactions with certain drugs, ointments and creams, and sore gritty, swollen eyes sensitive to bright light. Long-term risks include skin cancers, premature ageing, wrinkling, wasting skin tissues, excessive pigmentation, and clusters of tiny blood vessels and cataracts of the eye.
Your employer should assess whether the day's tasks could cause heat stress or heat stroke and consider ways of reducing or eliminating the risks by considering factors like the weather forecast, availability of shade, knowledge of the job ahead and an awareness of individual heat tolerance. Where possible, your employer should re-schedule heavier work for cooler times of the day or for cooler days and rotate work so you each spend less time on heavier tasks.
 | | Your employer should train you in safe work procedures for working in the sun and in very hot areas of the workplace, which should include the steps to take if an employee does get heat stress or sun stoke. |
Heat stress
The effects of heat stress range from simple discomfort to life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke. Heat stress does make it difficult to concentrate on the job, which can also be hazardous. Signs of heat stress include tiredness, irritability, inattention and muscular cramps.
If you see someone suffering the effects of heat stress, rest them in a cool, airy area and give them cool, rather than cold fluids. Report it immediately to your supervisor or first aid officer.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke is not common. A person suffering from heat stroke will stop sweating and body temperature will be high. Skin will be hot and dry. Confusion and loss of consciousness may occur.
Heat stroke is life threatening and urgent treatment by a doctor is very important. While waiting for medical help to arrive, cool the patient as quickly as possible. Soaking the person's clothes with cold water and increasing air movement by fanning can do this. If the person is conscious give them water to drink.
Ways to reduce the risk
Your employer should make sure you are trained in ways to reduce the risk of sunburn, heat stress and heat stroke.
Ways you can reduce the risk include:
drinking lots of water, juices or soft drinks;
taking rest breaks in a cool place;
wearing cool, protective clothing such as a shirt with collar and long sleeves and long trousers;
wearing broad brimmed hats that shade head, neck, face and ears;
applying SPF30+ sunscreen before exposure to sunlight as well as on overcast days - noses, lips, ears, necks and backs of hands need extra protection - reapply sunscreen regularly;
wearing sunglasses that conform to Australian Standard 1067 - 1990;
if possible working in shaded areas in the high-risk hours between 11am and 3pm and
not working near reflective surfaces such as water, cement, shiny metal, white painted sheds and silos between 11am and 3pm.
