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Monograph Series 2011
Workers’ compensation claims paid in Australia 2000-2009
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation:Workers’ compensation claims paid in Australia 2000-2009
This monograph has been developed by Cancer Council WA with special acknowledgement to Lauren Zappa with contributions from Rebecca Johnson and Mark Strickland.
Special thanks go to the Data and Analysis Section, Strategic Policy Branch at SafeWork Australia for providing the statistics used in this monograph and the Education and Information Department at WorkSafe WA for assistance with WA legislative responsibilities.
Photographs used on pages 5,7,16 and 17 featured courtesy of Queensland Health.
ISBN: 1 876628 62 6
Key issues:
• UV radiation and skin cancer risks in Australia
• Legislative responsibilities for employers (PCBUs) and workers
• Compensation claim statistics and examples
• Further assistance
1
Contents
1.0 Executive summary 2
2.0 Scope 3
2.1UVradiation 3
2.2SkincancerinAustralia 4
2.3OccupationalexposuretoUVradiationinAustralia 4
2.4Workplacepolicy 5
3.0 Workplace legislation 6
3.1Legislativeresponsibilities 6
4.0 Compensation claims statistics 7
5.0 Compensation claim examples 12
6.0 Assistance with sun protection policies in the workplace 15
6.1CancerCouncilWA 15
6.2WorkSafeWA 15
7.0 Conclusions 16
8.0 Appendices 18
9.0 References 20
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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1.0 Executive summaryThismonographwilladdresstheissueofoccupationalexposuretoultraviolet(UV)radiationinWesternAustraliaandhighlighttheneedforemployerstoputinplacepolicyandprocedurestoprotectworkers.Italsodocumentsthequantumofworkers’compensationclaimsmadeforsunrelatedinjury/diseasefrom2000to2009.ThelargemajorityoftheseareforUVrelatedskincancers.
Atotalof1,360workerscompensationclaimsforsunrelatedinjury/diseasehavebeenmadeinAustraliabetween2000and2009,atatotalcostof$38.4million.Thisfigureislikelytoincreaseinthefutureandispreventablebytheestablishmentandenforcementofpropersunprotectionpoliciesandpractices.
UVradiationisaknowncauseofcancer[1].Toomuchexposurecanleadtoskincancerandotherconditionsincludingeyedamage,sunburnandvisibleaging[2].Anumberoffactorsincludingourcloseproximitytotheequator,highsunelevationandourgenerallyclearatmosphericconditionsmeanthatAustraliaexperienceshigherlevelsofUVradiationthancountriesinEuropeandNorthAmerica[3,4].HighUVlevelscombinedwithAustralian’soutdoorlifestyle,culturalattitudesandpredominatelyfairskinnedpopulationmeanthatAustraliaexperiencessomeofthehighestratesofskincancerintheworld[5].
Eachyearapproximately440,000Australiansaretreatedforskincancerandover1,850peoplelosetheirlivestothisdisease[6,7].SkincancerincursgreatercoststhananyothercancerinAustralia,costingthehealthcaresystemmorethan$300millioneachyear[8].
TheoutdoornatureofsomeemploymentcanresultinincreasedexposuretoUVradiationforworkers.Researchshowsasmanyas34%ofAustralianworkersareexposedtodirectsunlightduringworkinghoursanditisestimatedthataround200melanomasand34,000nonmelanomaskincancersperyearcanbeattributedtooccupationalexposurestoUVradiation[9,10].AsUVradiationisaknowncauseofinjuryanddiseaseemployers(PCBUs)havelegislativeresponsibilitiestoprotectworkersfromoverexposure[1].Workersmustcomplywiththeemployerseffortstoreduceworkplacehealthandsafetyrisksincludingfollowingpolicyandprocedures,attendingtraining,followinginstructionandusingpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE).
TheissueofoccupationalexposuretoUVradiationinAustraliaisbecomingincreasinglyrecognisedandthenumberofseriousclaimsandtheirassociatedcostsareincreasing.Thereareaconsiderablenumberofcaseexamplespublicallyavailableinwhichclaimantsprovedtheirskincancerswerecausedbyoccupationalsunexposureandsuccessfullyclaimedagainsttheiremployersorformeremployersforbreachofduties.Thesecasesfirmlyestablishthelegalrecognitionofsunexposureasanoccupationalhazardcausinginjury/diseaseandofbreachofemployers’dutiestoprovidesafeworkplacesinthiscontext.
CancerCouncilWArecommendsthatemployersassesstherisksintheirworkplaceandimplementpoliciesandcontrolmeasurestoreduceharmsfortheirworkers.CancerCouncilWAcanprovideinformationandassistanceaboutskincancer,sunprotection,legalobligations,andotherinformationrequiredtodevelopacomprehensivesunprotectionprogramintheworkplace.
2.0 Scope2.1 UV radiation Ultraviolet(UV)radiationhasbeenclassifiedasa‘Class1Carcinogen’bytheInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC)[1].Class1isreservedforsubstancesandexposuresthatareknowntocausecancerinhumans[1].OverexposuretoUVradiationcanresultinarangeofhealthhazards,fromshort-termeffectssuchassunburn(erythema)andeyedamagetochroniceffectssuchasskincancer(includingmelanoma)andcataracts[2].
TherearethreetypesofUVradiation:UVA,UVBandUVCradiation[11].OverexposuretoUVAradiationisprimarilyresponsibleforthevisiblesignsofagingincludingrough,blotchy,wrinkledandsaggingskin.HighdosesofUVAradiationcanalsocausesunburn,DNAdamageintheskin,andskincancer.UVBradiationisevenmoredangerousthanUVAradiationandisthemaincauseofsunburnandskincancer.UVCradiationisalsodangeroustohumansbutisblockedbytheozonelayeranddoesn’tnormallyreachtheearth’ssurface[12].However,itcanbegeneratedbyindustrialprocessesincludingarcwelding[13].
TheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)hasdevelopedtheUVindex(showninFigure1)asawayofassessingwhensunprotectionisrequired.
TheUVIndexclassifiesUVlevelsattheearth’ssurfaceandincludesaseriesofactionstatementsthatrelatetosunprotectionbehaviour.WhentheUVindexreaches3(moderate)orabove,UVradiationisintenseenoughtodamagetheskinandcontributetotheriskofskincancer,thereforesunprotectionisrequired[14].
ThepatternofUVexposurealsoinfluencesthehealtheffectsapersonmayexperience.Inparticular,cumulativesunexposurehasbeenshowntobelinkedtosquamouscellcarcinoma(anon-melanomaskincancerthatdevelopsinthesquamouscellsoftheskin)andintense,intermittentsunexposureisassociatedwithmelanoma(developsintheskin’smelanocytes)andbasalcellcarcinoma(anon-melanomaskincancerthatdevelopsintheskin’sbasalcells)[15,16].
AustraliaexperienceshigherlevelsofUVradiationthancountriesinEuropeandNorthAmerica;thisisduetoanumberoffactorsincludingourcloseproximitytotheequator,highsunelevationandourgenerallyclearatmosphericconditions.UVlevelsalsovaryacrossAustraliadependingonthetimeofyearandgeographicallocation[3,4].OncetheUVreaches3itcancausedamage,whichissignificantasduringanAustraliansummerUVlevelshigherthan12-14areregularlyrecorded,andlocationsinthefarnorthoccasionallyreachlevelsashighas16and17[4,14].
Figure 1 WHO’s UV Index and related sun protection behaviours [14].
You can safely stay
outside!
Seek shade during midday hours! Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and
slap on a hat!
Avoid being outside during midday hours!
Make sure you seek shade! Shirt, sunscreen and hat are a must!
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Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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AnindicationofthehighdosageofUVradiationthatWesternAustralianscanbeexposedtoisshowninAppendix1.ThesetablesshowtheaveragelengthoftimetheUVindexisabove3,above8andabove11eachdayatfivelocationsinWAfromAlbanytoKununurra.Thedata,collectedfromtheBureauofMeteorology’sUVAlertforecastsoverthesummermonthsof2010/2011,showsthatinsummer,locationsallaroundWAreceiveextremelydamagingUVlevelsforconsiderableperiodseachday.Forexample,inPerth,inJanuarytheUVindexisintheextremerange(exceeds11)formorethanthreehoursaday.DuringthissamemonththeUVindexexceeds11forapproximatelytwohoursinAlbanyandfourhoursinKarratha.WealsoknowthatinplacesnorthofBunburytheaveragemiddayUVIndexwillreach3orhighereveninmid-winter.
2.2 Skin cancer in AustraliaAustralia,inparticularWA,hassomeofthehighestratesofskincancerintheworld.Despiteskincancerbeingalargelypreventabledisease,itaffectsatleasttwoineverythreeAustraliansbeforetheageof70.Theriskishigherinmen(twointhree)thaninwomen(threeinfive)[17].
Eachyearapproximately440,000Australiansaretreatedforskincancerandover1,850peoplelosetheirlivestothisdisease–afigurehigherthanthenationalroadtoll[6,7].OfthoseAustralianswhodiedin2008morethantwothirds(67%)weremen[7].
Thelargenumberofmedicalvisits,includingdiagnosesandtreatments,relatedtoskincancerthatoccureachyearplacealargefinancialburdenontheAustralianhealthcaresystem.StatisticsshowthatskincancerincursgreatercoststhananyothercancerinAustralia,costingthehealthcaresystemwellinexcessof$300milliondollarseachyear[8].
MelanomaincidenceratesinAustraliaandNewZealandarebetweentwoandfivetimesashighasthosefoundinCanada,theUnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)andtheUnitedKingdom(UK).Althoughmortalityratesaremodest,theyarestilltwotothreetimeshigherinAustraliaandNewZealandthaninCanada,theUSAandtheUK[18].
ThehighratesofskincancerinAustraliacanbeattributedtoanumberoffactors,includinghighlevelsofUVradiationthroughouttheyear,outdoorlifestyles,culturalattitudes,thepredominatelyfairskinnedpopulationandthedesirabilityofatan(althoughthishasfortunatelydiminishedinrecentyears)[4,5].
2.3 Occupational exposure to UV radiation in AustraliaTheoutdoornatureofsomeemploymentcanresultinincreasedexposuretoUVradiationforworkers.The2008NationalHazardExposureWorkerSurveillancesurveyfoundthat34%ofAustralianworkerswereexposedtodirectsunlightduringworkinghours[9].Outdoorworkersarethoughttoreceivefiveto10timesmoreUVexposureinayearthanindoorworkers.Thisincreasedexposuremeansoutdoorworkershaveahighriskofdevelopingskincancer[19].
OccupationalUVexposureoccursnotonlythroughdirectsunexposurebutalsoviareflectionandrefraction.ThismeanseventhoseworkingintheshadecanbeexposedtoUVradiation.Workerswhospendasignificantamountoftimeinaworkvehiclecanalsoreceivehighlevelsofexposurethroughuntintedsidewindows[20].
ItisestimatedthatinAustraliaaround200melanomasand34,000non-melanomaskincancersperyeararecausedbyoccupationalexposures[10].The2008NationalHazardExposureWorkerSurveillancesurveyindicatedthatthoseworkingintheagriculture,forestry,fishingandconstructionindustrieshavegreaterrisk
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ofexposuretohighUVlevels.Thesurveyalsofoundthatpeopleinsmallworkplaces(lessthanfiveworkers)were80%morelikelytobeexposedtohighUVthanthoseinworkplaceswithmorethan200workers.Further,workersinsmallerworkplaceswerelesslikelytobeprovidedwithsunprotectivecontrolmeasuresthanthoseinlargerworkplaces[21].
DevelopmentofsquamouscellcarcinomahasbeenmoststronglyassociatedwithcontinuousoccupationalexposuretoUVradiation.Basalcellcarcinomaismoststronglyassociatedwithintermittentsunexposureandsunburn.Intermittentsunexposureandsunburn,particularlynon-occupational(recreational)exposures,arealsostronglyassociatedwiththedevelopmentofmelanoma[16].
2.4 Workplace policyIn2010,CancerCouncilWAinvestigatedthesunprotectionproceduresandpoliciesof29outdoorworkplacesinWesternAustralia.Theinvestigationshowedthatworkplacesthatuseoutdoorwork/sunprotectionpolicieshavebetterlevelsofawarenessandcompliancewithguidelinesthanthosethatdonothaveformalpolicies[22].Thisisnotanisolatedresult;astudyofsunprotectionbehavioursinmeninQueenslandtreatedfornon-melanomaskincancer,foundthatmenwhowereemployedinworkplaceswithmandatorysunprotectionpoliciesweremorelikelytoprotectthemselvesfromthesun[23].
TheQueenslandstudyrevealedthatoneoftheimportantchallengesinestablishingandimplementingsunprotectionpoliciesintheworkplaceisoutdoorworkersmaybeunlikelytochangetheirattitudesandbehaviourstowardssunprotectionuntiltheyhavealreadysufferedsignificantsundamage.The
studysuggeststhatsunprotectionpoliciesshouldbemandatoryandmonitoredforcomplianceinordertobeeffectiveinreducingratesofskincanceramongstoutdoorworkers[23].
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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3.0 Workplace legislationCurrently,eachstateandterritorygovernmentismovingtoharmoniseworkhealthandsafetylegislationaspartofaninitiativeoftheCouncilofAustralianGovernments.Thiswillresultinsimilarlaws(includingRegulationsandCodesofPractice)ineachjurisdictionfrom2012.Themainobjectiveistoprovideabalancednationallyconsistentframeworktosecurethehealthandsafetyofworkersandworkplaces
Whenthesechangesoccurtheterm‘personsconductingabusinessorundertaking’(PCBU)willreplacetheterm‘employer’inthecontextofhealthandsafetydocumentationinAustralia.Assuchthetermappearsthroughoutthisdocumentandreferstoemployers,soletraders,principalcontractors,unincorporatedassociations,partnerships,franchiseesandvolunteerorganisations.Similarlytheterm‘employees’hasalsobeenreplacedby‘worker’andreferstoapersonwhocarriesoutworkinanycapacityforaPCBU,includingemployees,contractors,sub-contractors,labourhireemployees,outworkers,apprentices,trainees,workexperiencestudentsandvolunteers.
3.1 Legislative responsibilitiesApersonconductingabusinessorundertaking(PCBU)mustensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thatthehealthandsafetyofworkersandotherpeopleintheworkplaceisnotputatriskfromworkcarriedoutaspartoftheconductofthebusinessorundertaking.Thisincludestheprovisionandmaintenanceofasafeandhealthyworkenvironment,plantandstructures,safesystemsofwork,safeusehandlingandstoringofplant,structuresandsubstances,andtheprovisionofanyinformation,training,instructionorsupervisionthatisnecessarytoprotectpeoplefromrisks.
UVradiationisaknownhumancarcinogen(Class1),thereforetomeettheirlegalobligationsthePCBUshouldaddressUVradiationasaworkplacehazard[1].Failuretocomplymayresultinfinesunderworksafetylegislationandmayleaveaworkplaceliabletolegalaction.
Whileatwork,aworkermusttakereasonablecareforhisorherownhealthandsafetyandensurethattheydonotadverselyaffectthehealthandsafetyofotherpeople.TheworkermustalsocomplywithanyreasonableinstructionthatisgivenbythePCBU,andco-operatewithanyreasonablepolicyorprocedurerelatingtohealthorsafetyintheworkplace.
Aself-employedpersonmustensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,hisorherownhealthandsafetywhileatwork.
Thismeansthat,toworksafelyinthesun,workersmustfollowworkplacesunprotectionpolicyandprocedures,attendtraining,followinstructionandadviceprovided,andusepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)asprovidedbythePCBU.Failuretocomplymayresultinconsequences,whichmayincludebeingremovedfromsiteorhavingtheiremploymentterminated.Workersmayalsofacefinesunderworksafetylegislation.
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Thereisconsiderablelegalprecedentrecognisingaclaimforskincancercausedbysunexposureintheworkplace.MostPCBUsarewellawareoftheirobligationsinrelationtoworkplacehazardssuchasasbestosandtobaccosmoke.AccordingtotheInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC),UVradiationfallsinthesamecategoryofcarcinogens(cancer-causingagents)asasbestosandtobaccosmoke,andsoitshouldbetreatedjustasseriously[1].
SafeWorkAustraliahavedataavailablewhichshowstheimpactsunexposureishavingintermsofworkers’
compensationclaims–includingthenumberofclaimsandcosts.Atotalof1,360workerscompensationclaimsforsunrelatedinjury/diseasehavebeenmadeinAustraliabetween2000and2009,atatotalcostof$38.4million.Thedatamustbeviewedwithsomecautionastheyareroundedtothenearestfiveclaimsforconfidentialitypurposesandhavesomelimitationsintermsofinclusions(fullinformationavailableatwww.safeworkaustralia.com.au).Regardless,thedatashowsthattheissueofoccupationalsunexposureisbecomingincreasinglyrecognised,andthenumberandcostofclaimsisincreasing.
4.0 Compensation claims statistics
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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Figure 2
Figure2reportsthenumberanddurationofclaimsforsunrelatedinjury/disease.MostclaimsinAustraliaareforworkersclaimingshortabsencesfromworkorapermanentincapacity(permanentincapacitiesareclassifiedinthe1-5weekcategory).Thedatashowsasubstantialincreaseinthenumberofclaimsovertime.
The following graphs and interpretations are based on data provided by SafeWork Australia:
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Figure 3
Figure3morespecificallyshowsthenumberofclaimsmadeforsunrelatedinjury/disease(includingcancers)withinAustralia.Ithighlightstheincreasingnumberofclaimsforinjury/diseaseattributabletosunexposure(numberspeakedatatotalof210claimsin2007-08).ThismaybereflectiveofAustralia’srisingrateofskincancers,ourageingpopulationandtheincreasingawarenessthatdamagecausedbyworkplacesunexposurecanbecompensated.
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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Figure 4
Figure4reportstypical(median)paymentsmadetoworkerswhomadeaclaimafterdevelopingasunrelatedinjury/disease.Medianpayoutfiguresaremorerepresentativeofthetypicalclaimsthanaveragefiguresastheyarenotskewedbytheoccasionalhighcompensationpayout.Australia’shighratesofskincancermeanthatworkplacesthatdonotprotectworkersfaceahigherlikelihoodofcompensationclaims.Compensationsclaimscancostsworkplacesinmorewaythanthecostsoftheclaimpayout.Claimscanalsoaffectworkplacesintermsofworktimelost,legalfees,timespentdealingwithclaimandincreasedinsurancepremiums.
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Figure 5
Sunrelatedinjury/diseases,particularlyskincancers,resultinalargefinancialburden,primarilyinthehealthcaresystemwheretheyrepresentthelargestcostburdenofallcancers.Largecostsarealsobeingincurredthroughworkers’compensationpayouts.Figure5showsthetotalcostsofcompensationspaidtoworkersinAustraliaforallsunrelatedinjury/disease,aswellascostsspecificallyforcancerscausedbysunexposure.Thedatashowsthatthesefiguresareincreasingsignificantly(totalpaymentsforskincancerclaimsdoubledfrom$2millionin2001-02to$4millionin2008-09).
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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5.0 Compensation claim examplesAsearchofAustralianlegaldatabasesreturnedaconsiderablenumberofcasesinwhichclaimantsprovedtheirskincancerswerecausedbyoccupationalsunexposure,andsuccessfullyclaimedagainsttheiremployersorformeremployersforbreachofemployerduties.ReportingdifferencesbetweenthestatesmayaccountforthelargenumberofcaseexamplesfromNewSouthWales.
Theselectionofexamplecasesoutlinedbelowwassourcedfromlegaldatabasesandreporteddecisionsofstateworkers’compensationcommissionsandcourts,whichareavailableonline[24,25].CancerCouncilWAconsidersitimportanttorespecttheprivacyofclaimantsandPCBUsinthecasesdiscussed,andsotheyarereferredtoinnumericalterms.
Thecasesthatfollowfirmlyestablishthelegalrecognitionofsunexposureasanoccupationalhazardcausinginjury,andofbreachofPCBU’sdutiestoprovidesafeworkplacesinthiscontext.
Case No. 1 v Company 1 & Another [2000] NSWCCR 607In1997,CaseNo.1,aformerbricklayer,diedfrommalignantmelanoma.Theexecutorofhiswillmadeacompensationclaimonbehalfofhistwochildrenagainsthisemployerin2000.
CaseNo.1wasafair-skinned,red-headedbricklayer,whowasexposedtoUVradiationforaprolongedperiodinthecourseofhisemployment.Hewasfrequentlysunburnedonexposedareasofhisface,armsandlegs.Hehadaprimarymalignantmelanomaexcisedfromhislowerbackin1986andby1995thecancerhadmetastasisedtootherpartsofhisbody.Hediedoftheeffectsofmalignantmelanomain1997.
ThecourtfoundthatcumulativeexposuretothesunwasacharacteristicofCaseNo.1’semploymentasabricklayer,andacceptedthemedicalevidencethatcumulativeexposuretothesuncreatesariskofmelanoma.ItfoundthathisexposuretoUVradiationoveraprolongedperiodoftimeincreasedhisriskofdevelopingmelanomaandsubstantiallycontributedtohisdevelopingmelanoma.
Theclaimantwassuccessful,thoughordersandfindingswerenotreported.
Case No. 2 and Company 2: [2003] settled out of courtCaseNo.2deliveredmailinQueenslandforeightyears.Heusuallyworkedduringthehottestpartoftheday,woreshort-sleevedshirtsandshorts,wasn’tprovidedwithsunscreenandworearegulationmotorcyclehelmet,whichdidnothaveasunvisor.
In2001,CaseNo.2wasdiagnosedwithamelanomaonhisforehead,whichhehadremoved.Healsohadsmallercancersremovedfromhisrightcheekandtheleftsideofhishead.WhenCompany2refusedtocompensatehimforthetwodaysherequiredoffworkforthecancerstoberemoved,CaseNo.2tookhiscasetotheCommonwealthAdministrativeAppealsTribunal.
However,shortlybeforethehearingbegan,Company2agreedtopayalllegalcosts,medicalexpenses,andsometravelcosts.Company2hasagreedtocompensateCaseNo.2ifhedevelopsasecondarymelanoma,andhasconfirmedthatshoulditbefatal,hisfamilywillreceivelumpsumcompensation.
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Case No. 3 v Company 3 [2003] VCC 23CaseNo.3laidbricksanddrovetrucksforCompany3for35years.Hespentaconsiderablepartofhisworkinglifeinthesun,wearingsingletsthatexposedhisarmsandpartofhischestandback.Hedevelopedmultipleskincancersonhisback,neckandshoulders,andhadmultiplemalignantmelanomasremovedfromhisback.
In2003aVictorianCountyCourtjudgeruledthatCaseNo.3hadtherighttosuehisemployerforcompensationforhisskincancerinjuries.ThecaseestablishedaprecedentinrecognisingUVradiationasaworkplacehazardandskincancerasaseriousoccupationalinjury.CaseNo.3settledoutofcourt,anddiedin2007.
Case No. 4 v Company 4 [2004] NSW WCC 3488CaseNo.4,aformerwharfworker,suedhisformeremployerin2004afterhedevelopedskincancerassociatedwithexposuretoUVradiationinthecourseofemployment.HeworkedoutdoorsforCompany4andwasnotprovidedwithorrequiredtowearsunprotection.Heusuallyworeshortsandat-shirt,andoftenonlyshortsduringsummer.
CaseNo.4developedbasalcellcarcinomas,solarkeratoses,andsquamouscellcarcinomasthatrequiredremovalandhisdoctorpredictedthathewouldcontinuetodevelopnewlesionsthroughouthislife.Heclaimedthathefeltconstantanxietyaboutdevelopingmalignantmelanoma.
TheCommissionfoundthatCaseNo.4’sskincondition‘[placed]anextremelimitationonhisdailyactivities’.Hewasawardedweeklycompensationpayments;$4,500inrespectofpainandsuffering,reimbursementforallrelatedmedicalexpenses,andhislegalcosts.
Case No. 5 v Company 5 [2004] NSW WCC 6434CaseNo.5sufferedsignificantdamagetohisskinwhileemployedasalabourerwitharoadandtrafficauthority.Herequirednumerousprocedurestoremove
skincancersfromhisears,abdomen,cheeks,back,arms,legsandneck.HeresignedfromCompany5,citinghealthconcerns,in2003,andtookoutanactionintheNSWWorkersCompensationCommission.
TheNSWWorkersCompensationCommissionawardedCaseNo.5damagesonthegroundsthatcontinuous,excessiveexposuretothesunwhileatworkhadcausedorcontributedtohisskincancer.TheCommissiondeterminedthathisemploymentsubstantiallycontributedtohisinjury,andawardedhimweeklycompensationatthemaximumstatutoryrate,medicalexpensesandcosts.
Case No. 6 v Company 6 [2006] NSW WCC 5866CaseNo.6wasemployedasamarinestewardonthewharvesforCompany6.Heworkedoutside,andgenerallyworeshortsandat-shirtsorsinglet.Hisemployerdidnotsupplyhimwithsunscreenorahat.Hesubsequentlysufferedseverefacialandbodilydisfigurementcausedbyaskincancerrequiringongoingtreatmentandmonitoring.
TheNSWWorkersCompensationCommissionfoundthathisemploymentwasasubstantialcontributingfactortohisinjuryandCompany6wasorderedtopaymedicalexpensesrelatingtohiscondition,andanundisclosedamountforpermanentimpairment.
Case No. 7 v Company 7 [2006] NSW WCC 10799CaseNo.7wasemployedbyCompany7asawatersideworkerontheSydneywharves.Duringthecourseofhisemploymentheworkedonaverage50hoursperweek,ofwhich90%wasoutdoors.HewasthereforeconstantlyexposedtosunlightbothdirectlyandfromreflectedUVradiationoffthewater.Hemainlyworeshortsortrousersandashortsleevedshirt,andonlystartedwearingahatinhislastfiveyearsofemployment.Hedidnotwearsunscreen.HecommencedanactionagainstCompany7forcompensationafterhedevelopedskincancerwhichseverelydisfiguredhisfaceandbody.TheNSWWorkersCompensationCommissionorderedCompany7topayCaseNo.7$60,000forpermanentimpairment,$5000forpainandsuffering,andcosts.
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Case No. 8 v Company 8 [2009] NSW WCC 5671CaseNo.8workedoutdoorsasaroadconstructionforemanandconcretefinisherforalocalgovernment.Hedidnotwearprotectiveclothingorapplysunscreenduringhis13yearsofemploymentpriorto1989,afterwhichhisemployerprovidedhimwithprotectiveclothingandsunscreen.Hesufferedbasalcellcarcinomasonhishead/face,chest,neck,back,legsandarms,whichhadtoberemovedatconsiderablecost.
TheNSWWorkers’CompensationCommissionacceptedCaseNo.8’sclaimandorderedCompany8topay$25,930.85forhismedicaltreatmentandrelatedexpenses,andlegalcosts.
Case No. 9 v Company 9 [2009] NSW WCC 5997CaseNo.9claimedcompensationforinjuriescausedbyworkingoutdoorsforhisformeremployer,anenergycompany,between1974and1995.Hesufferedfacialdisfigurement,severebodilydisfigurementandlossofsexualcapacitycausedbyskincancer.
TheCommissionheardevidencethatbetween1999andthetimehiscasewasheardCaseNo.9visiteddoctorsover120timestohaveskincancerstreated.Onvirtuallyalloftheseoccasionshewasincapacitatedforanywherefromtwoweekstotwomonthsafterwards,asthemajorityoftheskincancerwoundsbecameinfectedfortwotoeightweeksafterwards.TheCommissionacceptedthathisconditionmeanthecouldnolongerspendanysignificanttimeoutdoors,w_hichaffectedhisabilitytoenjoytheamenitiesoflife.CaseNo.9alsosubmittedthathisunsightlyappearanceandbodilydisfigurementcausedthelossofhissexualrelationshipwithhiswife.
TheCommissionawardedCaseNo.9$20,000forpainandsuffering,$6,400forhisfacialdisfigurement,$7,500forhisbodilydisfigurement,and$9,400forhislossofsexualfunction.Company9wasalsoorderedtopaylegalcosts.
Case No. 10 v Company 10 [2010] NSW WCC 8766CaseNo.10wasemployedbyCompany10,alocalgovernment,asaplantoperator.Heworkedoutsidemowinglawnsonthenaturestripsofstreets,parks,andsportingfields.Hedevelopedskincancersonhisface,ears,necktemple,backandarmsfromexcessiveexposuretosunlight.
TheCommissionheldthatCaseNo.10’sinjuriesaroseoutofthecourseofhisemploymentandthathisworkwasasubstantialcontributingfactortohisinjuries.Company10wasorderedtopayallmedicalexpensesandlegalcosts.
Case No. 11 and Company 11 [2010] Qld In2010thefamilyofCaseNo.11receivedarecordpayoutfromCompany11afterCaseNo.11,aformercarpenterandplasterer,passedawayattheageof43,twoyearsafterbeingdiagnosedwithmelanoma.Hiswife,whoisnowthesolecareroftheirfouryoungsons,wasawardedtotaldependencyandreceivedalandmarksixfigurepayout.
ThiscasesetsasignificantprecedentforsizeablepayoutsformelanomacausedbyoccupationalexposureinQueensland.
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6.1 Cancer Council WACancerCouncilAustraliahasdevelopedacomprehensiveguideforworkplaceslookingtodevelopsunprotectionpoliciescalledSkin cancer and outdoor work: A guide for employers[26].TheguideexplorestherelationshipbetweenUVexposureandskincancerandprovidesPCBUswithinformationandadvicetoconfidentlyaddresssunprotectionintheworkplace.
Skin cancer and outdoor work: A guide for employersadvisesthatacomprehensiveworkplacesunprotectionprogramrequires:
• Runningperiodicriskassessmentstodetermineworkers’UVexposurelevels;
• Introducingsunprotectionmeasures;
• Providinginformation,education,trainingandsupervisiontoworkerstoencouragesafeworkinthesun;
• Developingacomprehensivesunprotectionpolicy;and
• Monitoringprogrameffectivenessandmakingnecessarychanges.
Skin cancer and outdoor work: A guide for employersisavailableforpurchaseorcanbedownloadedfromCancerCouncilWA’swebsitewww.cancerwa.asn.au.
TheSunSmartTeamatCancerCouncilWAisabletoassistworkplacestointroduceeffectivesunprotectionpolicies.
TheSunSmartTeamcan:
• ProvideinformationandeducationforPCBUsassessingtheneedforacomprehensivesunprotectionpolicy
• Provideclearguidelinestobuildaworkplacesunprotectionpolicy
• Provideresourcesandinformationtoeducateworkersonsunprotectionissues
• Provideeducationandtrainingtomanagement,healthandsafetystafforworkers
TheSunSmartTeamcanalsohelpwithrevisingexistingpolicieswithaviewtowardsincreasingprotectionforworkers,clarifyingexpectationsandareducingpotentiallegalliability.
Resourcesandfurtherinformationareavailableatwww.cancerwa.asn.au,orcontacttheCancerCouncilWASunSmartWorkplaceCoordinatoron(08)93884350.
6.2 WorkSafe WAWorkSafeWAhasarangeofresourcesrelatingtosunprotectionandotherworkplacehealthandsafetyissues.Theseareavailableonlineatwww.worksafe.wa.gov.au.IncooperationwithCancerCouncilWA,WorkSafeWApresentsregularinformationsessionsonmanagingheatstressandworkinginhotconditions.
WorkSafeWAcanbecontactedon(08)93278777.
6.0 Assistance with sun protection policies in the workplace
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
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7.0 ConclusionsOccupationalexposuretoUVradiationisahazardforanyworkplace.AsUVradiationisaknowncauseofcancer–andoutdoorworkersexperiencehigherexposurelevelsthanthosewhoworkindoors–itisimportantthatPCBUsputinplacecomprehensivesunprotectionpoliciesandprocedurestohelpminimisetheriskofexposuretoworkers.ThiswillensurethatPCBUsnotonlyprotecttheirworkersfromskincancer,butalsomeettheirlegislativeresponsibilitiestoprotectworkersfromharm.
TheclaimstatisticsandcaseexamplesreportedinthisdocumenthighlighttheneedforPCBUstohaveeffectivepoliciesandproceduresinplaceforreducingworkplacesunexposure.Theincreasingnumbersofseriousclaimsandtheirassociatedpayoutcostsindicatethatskincancerandothersunrelatedinjury/diseasearegainingrecognitionascompensableconditions.PCBUsneedtobeawarethatwithouteffectivepolicyandprocedurestheyareleavingthemselvesopentoanincreasedlikelihoodofacompensationclaim.
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Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
8.0 Appendices
9.1 Appendix 1WesternAustralianDailyUVGraphingResults
SunprotectionisrequiredwhenUVIndexlevelsreach3orhigher.OnceUVlevelspass8maximumsunprotectionisvital.
November
Average U max V
Average time UVI over 3
Average time UVI over 8
Average time UVI over 11
Albany 10.17 7hrs45mins 3hrs28mins 36mins
Perth 11.45 7hrs56mins 4hrs17mins 1hr38mins
Geraldton 12.83 8hrs6mins 4hrs47mins 2hrs59mins
Karratha 14.89 8hrs10mins 5hrs15mins 3hrs55mins
Kununurra 15.33 8hrs5mins 5hrs17mins 4hrs4mins
December
Average max UV
Average time UVI over 3
Average time UVI over 8
Average time UVI over 11
Albany 10.6 8hrs14mins 4hrs21mins 1hr47mins
Perth 12.89 8hrs26mins 5hrs 3hr13mins
Geraldton 14.47 8hrs32mins 5hrs23mins 3hrs57mins
Karratha 15.84 8hrs24mins 5hrs32mins 4hrs22mins
Kununurra 15.68 8hrs13mins 5hrs27mins 4hrs12mins
January
Average max UV
Average time UVI over 3
Average time UVI over 8
Average time UVI over 11
Albany 12 8hrs11mins 4hrs28mins 2hrs6mins
Perth 13.13 8hrs18mins 4hrs59mins 3hrs16mins
Geraldton 14.29 8hrs24mins 5hrs21mins 3hrs52mins
Karratha 14.82 8hrs12mins 5hrs17mins 3hrs58mins
Kununurra 15 8hrs6mins 5hrs18mins 3hrs57mins
19
February
Average max UV
Average time UVI over 3
Average time UVI over 8
Average time UVI over 11
Albany 11.47 7hrs42mins 4hrs7mins 1hr39mins
Perth 12.21 7hrs50mins 4hrs26mins 2hrs31mins
Geraldton 12.84 7hrs52mins 4hrs39mins 3hrs
Karratha 13.89 7hrs52mins 4hrs57mins 3hrs29mins
Kununurra 14.33 7hrs51mins 4hrs57mins 3hrs39mins
March
Average max UV
Average time UVI over 3
Average time UVI over 8
Average time UVI over 11
Albany 8.43 6hrs31mins 1hrs25mins 0
Perth 9.35 6hrs43mins 2hrs6mins 15mins
Geraldton 10.3 6hrs58mins 3hrs 50mins
Karratha 12.17 7hrs18mins 4hrs10mins 2hrs25mins
Kununurra 13.48 7hrs28mins 4hrs35mins 3hrs10mins
Source:CancerCouncilWA.DatacollectedfrompublishedUValertsin2010/11.
FurtherinformationonaverageUVstrengthsforWesternAustraliaisavailablefromhttp://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/uv-index/index.jsp?period=an
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation
20
9.0 References
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14. WorldHealthOrganization,etal.,Global Solar UV Index: a practical guide.2002:Geneva.
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21. SafeWorkAustralia,National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance: Exposure to direct sunlight and the provision of sun exposure controls in Australian workplaces.2010,CommonwealthofAustralia:Barton.
22. CancerCouncilWA,Outdoor Workers Policy Review: An Overview of Findings and Cancer Council WA Recommendations. 2011,CancerCouncilWA:Perth.
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26. CancerCouncilAustralia’sSkinCancerCommitee, Skin cancer and outdoor work: A guide for employers.2007,Melbourne:CancerCouncilVictoria.
For support and information on cancer and cancer-related issues, call Cancer Council Helpline. This is a confidential service. Available Statewide for the cost of a local call Monday to Friday 8 am – 6 pm
www.cancerwa.asn.au
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