As we approach the start of summer, we all need to be vigilant both at work and in our own time to protect ourselves from the sun. Whilst some jobs require us to spend more time out in the sun, it is extremely important to protect ourselves and book in for the yearly skin check.
Workplace Health and Safety Victoria can help you monitor your employee’s skin health by offering efficient, thorough on-site skin checks and education provided by trusted professionals.
Whether your employees work indoors or outdoors, workplace skin checks are a vital part of any health and wellness program.
According to SunSmart (2022), the sun’s UV radiation is a serious health and safety hazard – especially for people who work outdoors. Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world and daily UV exposure adds to increased risk of cancer.
According to the Cancer Council, Australia still has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Currently two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70 every year, and around 2000 Australians die from this disease.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged, from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation form the sun.
There are 3 main types of skin cancer:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer)
Skin Cancer Facts:
Every year in Australia:
- Skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers
- The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun
- The incidences of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world, two to three times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK
(Source: Cancer Council)
What to look out for on your skin:
According to the Cancer Council (2019), often melanomas have no symptoms, however, the first sign is generally a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new spot. These changes can include:
- A spot that has changed size, shape, color or texture
- A spot that looks and feels different from other spots on your skin
- A sore that is itching or bleeds
- A sore that fails to completely heal
Prevention:
How can your employees minimise their chances of obtaining a melanoma?
- Wear SPF30+ sunscreen
- Wear a hat that covers the head, neck and ears
- Avoid sunburn by minimising sun exposure when the UV Index exceeds 3 and especially in the middle of the day where UV levels are more intense
- Seek shade where possible
- Wear sun protective clothing and close-fitting sunglasses
Diagnosis for a melanoma:
If your employee notes a suspicious spot or mole on their skin, our doctors may examine using a magnifying instrument, using the ABCDE method:
- A – Asymmetry – irregular
- B – Border – uneven
- C – Colour
- D – Diameter – look for spots that are getting bigger
- E – Evolving – changing and growing
If our doctor suspects a melanoma, your employee will be referred to their GP or otherwise they can visit our clinic for further testing.
Workplace Skin Checks:
Skin checks are vital for early detection of skin cancer and are an essential inclusion in any workplace wellness program. To enhance your employee health and wellness benefits, our trained skin doctors can provide a workplace skin check to your employees in 15 minutes – this involves the use of special lighting and tools to assess the whole body for spots or any areas of concern.
Please email [email protected] or call 0456 387 569 to discuss options for your workplace.