Australia has the highest incidence of Skin cancer in the world, and 2 out of 3 Australians are likely to develop Skin Cancer before the age of 70. Harsh UV rays in sunlight on a hot sunny day and sometimes even on overcast and cooler days, can cause the skin to burn in just 12 minutes.
According to BOM (The Bureau of Meteorology) UV radiation in Australia is at its peak during the hot summer months, and is typically very high to extreme outdoor workers are at some of the highest risks for sun damage, as they can spend several hours a day working under the sun.
Effective risk assessments and control measures to reduce the risk of exposure for workers can help control a largely preventable disease like Skin Cancer.
Prevention of Exposure to UV Rays
As always prevention of exposure to risk is the best possible solution, for e.g – scheduling work to avoid the highest UV rays exposure times of the day, or conducting work indoors when possible.
Barring prevention, employers can engineer solutions like kiosks or awnings and build shelters that provide shade, allowing workers to stay cool and take frequent breaks.
Often however high UV rays exposure without shade is unavoidable and in such cases, barriers between the skin and UV rays are considered some of the most effective control measures. PPE barriers offering shade like a wide-brim hat to cover the face neck and ears are amongst the standard protective measures recommended by the Skin Cancer Council, and the Department of Health.
However, Hard Hats are mandatory and the only allowed head protection for the majority of outdoor and hazardous work sites. Incorporating sun protection into existing PPE such as prescribed, Hard Hats are important for both employers and workers.
Wide brims extending over hard hats, with a UV protection factor of 50+, with coverage for neck and ears that fit with hard hats but don’t compromise the safety functions is the solution recommended by Safe Work Australia.
We have the solutions
The Ergodyne Chill-its 6660 Hard Hat Brim are designed to fit easily over any hard hat size and design, even those with hard hat attachments and accessories, employers to complement their existing PPE quickly and cost-effectively. The fabric, extensions over the neck and ear for full coverage, and bright hi-vis lime and orange colours offer superior visibility.
The Chill-Its 6670CT Evaporative Cooling Hard Hat Neck Shade straps into hard hats to deliver four hours of cooling relief while also shading the neck from sun damage. The lightweight shade features advanced PVA cooling technology for instant cooling without bulk or slime, with a wide panel that extends down for complete back-of-neck-coverage. This hard hat neck shade fits most hard hats and safety helmets, easily and securely attaching to the suspension with two hook & loop straps.
Because we lose most of our body heat through our heads, a hard hat or helmet can trap that heat, making workers feel hotter or sweat more. As a business owner or manager, you should do everything you can to protect your workers while also keeping them cool and comfortable. A cooling hard hat is one of the easiest ways to do this. You can look for a hard hat that has a tough outer shell, with an inner lining or cooling pads that can be refrigerated or wet to help keep the wearer cool. Because they are soft, lightweight or compact, cooling pads are a simple way to keep cool, and workers are able to easily repeat the cooling process as often as they need to.
We Educate. We Engage.
Toolbox Talks are a great way to engage workers to connect, share and educate on how to stay safe on site. Contact us today to schedule a free session for your team. See Pryme’s entire range of Ergodyne products to create a safer workplace.
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