UV radiation:
a year-round hazard
We all know that during summer we need to cover up so we don’t
get sunburnt. Even for those of us who tan, too much sun can
make our skin dry out and lead to skin cancer. But what some
people are not aware of is that in WA, sun protection is
needed for most of the year.Skin damage, like burning or tanning, is caused by ultraviolet (UV)
radiation which cannot be seen or felt, but it can lead to cancer.
The heat we feel is caused by infrared radiation, and even though
both types of radiation come from the sun, they are not delivered in
equal proportions. This means there are times when it can be cool,
but the UV is still high enough to cause serious damage to skin, and
other times when it still feels hot, but the UV level is low enough so
as not to cause as much or in some cases, any damage.So, if I can’t see it or feel it, and using the temperature as a
guide isn’t going to work, how am I supposed to know when sun
protection is required?Not knowing the level of UV is a problem when it comes to sun
protection. If people don’t know the UV level is high, they are not
going to take the measure required to reduce their risk of skin
cancer. This is one reason the World Health Organization created
the UV Index, and it is encouraged by Cancer Council WA.The UV Index put a numeric value on the strength and risk of the UV
level. Each numeric value has a danger category associated with it,
to give an understanding of the current UV risk. There is no upper
limit to the UV Index, with UV level reaching 11 or higher considered
to be extreme.For the general public, the advice is that when the UV level reaches
3, sun protection is required. However, for people who work
outdoors for most of the day, it is recommended that some form
of sun protection is used even at UV levels 1 and 2 due to the
accumulative nature of UV exposure.When the levels reach high, very high or extreme, multiple sun
protection measures, such as long sleeved shirt, hat, sunscreen and
shade, should be employed. These levels are too high to continue
working outdoors without robust protection. Even during winter in
Perth, the UV level can be high enough to warrant sun protection.The UV forecast can be found at http://www.myuv.com.au or on the free
SunSmart app. More information about sun protection and reducing
the risk of skin cancer can be found at the Cancer Council website
http://www.cancerwa.asn.au or call on 13 11 20.Building a mentally
healthy workplace climate
Creating a mentally healthy workplace is vital for any business. It
encourages employees to stay well and supports those who are
experiencing mental health challenges.
Organisations which aren’t considering mental health as part of their
strategy, are falling behind, both in terms of workplace culture and the
costs being added to the business.
Every business has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy
workplace. Go to http://www.headsup.org.au/rights-responsibilities/employer-
rights-and-responsibilities This includes psychological injury prevention.
Where to start?
Conduct a risk assessment of the workplace, work systems and
processes. The assessment should look for hazards and risks that can
impact on mental health. Factors such as workload and levels of job
control and autonomy should be examined.
Educate yourself: do you know what the symptoms of depression are? Do
you know what to do or say if someone you know seems to be struggling?
Find out more at http://www.mensline.org.au, http://www.beyondblue.org.au and
http://www.superfriend.com.au.
It’s the right thing to do
Creating a mentally healthy workplace will provide measurable benefi ts
to the business. These include reducing absenteeism, improving
productivity and lowering workers’ compensation claim and premium
costs. These results are measurable through reviews of incident
reports, compensation claims, patterns of absenteeism, staff turnover
and complaints.
Cbus’s partnership with mental health promotion foundation,
SuperFriend, provides member employers with opportunities to
create mentally healthy workplaces, visit superfriend.com.au for
more information.
This information is about Cbus. Read the relevant Cbus Product
Disclosure Statement to decide whether Cbus is right for you.
Contact 1300 361 784 or visit http://www.cbussuper.com.au for a copy.
Cbus Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623
AFSL 233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262
Average noon clear sky UV index - Winter30 UPDATES health
MAY–JUNE 2017