Resources

Emergency response procedures - sun exposure

Ultraviolet radiation

Overexposure to the sun during childhood and adolescence is known to be a major cause of skin cancer. Schools are encouraged to develop a specific policy and set of procedures to minimise the danger of excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure for students and staff as part of the school’s duty of care.

The following factors should be taken into account in the development of an effective sun protection policy, which should be implemented continuously throughout the year.

• The danger period for UV is between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm (11.00 am and 3.00 pm daylight saving time). Damage can occur before and after these hours, but it takes longer to occur.
• Everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer. Fair-skinned people with reddish or fair hair are at greatest risk; people with an olive complexion and dark hair have a lower risk, but still require protection.
• UV cannot be seen or felt and UV levels are not related to air temperature. There can be high levels of UV on cool days.
• UV levels are higher during the summer than during winter months. UV levels do vary from day to day, and a high UV day in April or October may be more damaging than a day of heavy cloud in January.
• Reflected UV from light-coloured and shiny surfaces can reach a person under a hat and in the shade.
• At high altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner, the amount of UV reaching the skin can be much higher than at sea level. The use of sunscreen should be encouraged throughout the year in these locations.
• Fresh snow reflects almost 90 per cent of the UV that falls on it.

Policy considerations

In developing policies and procedures, schools may wish to include reference to:

• Hats with a broad (at least 8 centimetres) brim made of a closely woven material and legionnaire-style hats may be appropriate, particularly for younger children.
• Sun-protective clothing. Loose, closely woven cotton fabrics and shirts with a collar and long sleeves are ideal.
• Broad spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreens. To be effective, sunscreen must be applied to clean, dry skin, fifteen to twenty minutes before going into the sun. No sunscreen provides complete protection against the sun. Hats, clothing and other forms of natural protection should be encouraged as a first measure for protection.
• Skin protection by waterproof sun creams or clothing is necessary while in the water.
• Special preparations, such as zinc cream, are available for sensitive areas, including the face and lips.
• A small number of students may have allergic reactions to the chemicals in sunscreen. Such allergies should be identified by parents when they provide the school with medical advice about their children. Any adverse reaction from sunscreen should be reported to parents.
• Consider the use of sunglasses.

Swimming activities, more than other outdoor activities, may expose students to UV radiation. Staff preparing students for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are advised to document their preparation of students, including preparation for sun protection, using a recording system such as the Proforma: Documentation of participant preparation, prerequisite skills/knowledge.

More information

For more information about sun protection, see: Sun Smart