occupational exposure to ultraviolet (uv) radiation · occupational exposure to ultraviolet (uv)...

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

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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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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].


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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


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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.


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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).


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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


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7.0 ConclusionsOccupationalexposuretoUVradiationisahazardforanyworkplace.AsUVradiationisaknowncauseofcancer–andoutdoorworkersexperiencehigherexposurelevelsthanthosewhoworkindoors–itisimportantthatPCBUsputinplacecomprehensivesunprotectionpoliciesandprocedurestohelpminimisetheriskofexposuretoworkers.ThiswillensurethatPCBUsnotonlyprotecttheirworkersfromskincancer,butalsomeettheirlegislativeresponsibilitiestoprotectworkersfromharm.

TheclaimstatisticsandcaseexamplesreportedinthisdocumenthighlighttheneedforPCBUstohaveeffectivepoliciesandproceduresinplaceforreducingworkplacesunexposure.Theincreasingnumbersofseriousclaimsandtheirassociatedpayoutcostsindicatethatskincancerandothersunrelatedinjury/diseasearegainingrecognitionascompensableconditions.PCBUsneedtobeawarethatwithouteffectivepolicyandprocedurestheyareleavingthemselvesopentoanincreasedlikelihoodofacompensationclaim.

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8.0 Appendices

9.1 Appendix 1WesternAustralianDailyUVGraphingResults

SunprotectionisrequiredwhenUVIndexlevelsreach3orhigher.OnceUVlevelspass8maximumsunprotectionisvital.

November

Average U max V

Average time UVI over 3



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




Albany 10.6 8hrs14mins 4hrs21mins 1hr47mins

Perth 12.89 8hrs26mins 5hrs 3hr13mins




January

Average max UV




Albany 12 8hrs11mins 4hrs28mins 2hrs6mins

Perth 13.13 8hrs18mins 4hrs59mins 3hrs16mins



Kununurra 15 8hrs6mins 5hrs18mins 3hrs57mins

19

February

Average max UV




Albany 11.47 7hrs42mins 4hrs7mins 1hr39mins

Perth 12.21 7hrs50mins 4hrs26mins 2hrs31mins

Geraldton 12.84 7hrs52mins 4hrs39mins 3hrs



March

Average max UV




Albany 8.43 6hrs31mins 1hrs25mins 0

Perth 9.35 6hrs43mins 2hrs6mins 15mins

Geraldton 10.3 6hrs58mins 3hrs 50mins



Source:CancerCouncilWA.DatacollectedfrompublishedUValertsin2010/11.

FurtherinformationonaverageUVstrengthsforWesternAustraliaisavailablefromhttp://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/uv-index/index.jsp?period=an


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9.0 References

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3. Liley,J.B.andR.L.McKenzie,Where on earth has the highest UV? UV radiation and its effects - an update 2006.2006,NationalInstituteofWaterandAtmosphericResearch:Dunedin.

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5. Potente,S.,etal.,Legally brown: using ethnographic methods to understand sun protection attitudes and behaviours among young Australians ‘I didn’t mean to get burnt—it just happened!’. HealthEducationResearch,2010.

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7. AustralianBureauofStatistics,Causes of Death, Australia.2010,CommonwealthofAustralia:Canberra.

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11. WorldHealthOrganizationandInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer,Solar and Ultraviolet Radiation, in Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans.1992(updated1997),WHOARPANSA:Paris.

12. Leyden,J.,What is photoaged skin? EuropeanJournalofDermatology.Volume11,Number2,165-7,March-April2001,Compte-renduderéunion2001.11(2):p.165-7.

13. Dixon,A.J.andB.F.Dixon,Ultravioletradiationfromweldingandpossibleriskofskinandocularmalignancy.MedicalJournalofAustralia,2004.181(3):p.155-7.

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14. WorldHealthOrganization,etal.,Global Solar UV Index: a practical guide.2002:Geneva.

15. Livingston,P.M.,etal.,Australian adolescents’ sun protection behavior: Who are we kidding?PreventativeMedicine,2007.44(6):p.508-512.

16. Armstrong,B.K., How sun exposure causes skin cancer: An epidemiological perspective in Prevention of skin cancer,D.Hill,M.Elwood,andD.English,Editors.2004,KluwerAcademicPublishers:Dordrecht.

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20. AustralianRadiationandProtectionandNuclearSafetyAgency,Occupational Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation, in Radiation Protection Series Publication No. 12.2006,CommonwealthofAustralia:Canberra.

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22. CancerCouncilWA,Outdoor Workers Policy Review: An Overview of Findings and Cancer Council WA Recommendations. 2011,CancerCouncilWA:Perth.

23. Woolley,T.,P.G.Buettner,andJ.B.Lowe,Predictors of sun protection in northern Australian men with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer.PreventativeMedicine,2004.39(2):p.300-307.

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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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