Product Overview

Summary: This UV Exposure Mitigation Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for managing solar and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation risks in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations protect outdoor and UV-exposed workers, demonstrate compliance with WHS duties, and significantly reduce the incidence of sunburn, heat stress, and long-term skin and eye damage.

Australian workers are exposed to some of the highest levels of solar UV radiation in the world, and UV-related skin cancers remain a major cause of work-related illness and compensation claims. This UV Exposure Mitigation SOP gives your business a structured, defensible process for identifying UV exposure risks, implementing effective controls, and ensuring workers understand how to protect themselves during outdoor work or when using artificial UV sources. It translates WHS obligations and cancer prevention guidance into clear, step-by-step actions that can be applied across construction sites, civil works, local government operations, agriculture, mining, utilities, events, and laboratories.

The procedure covers the full lifecycle of UV risk management: from planning work to avoid peak UV periods, through to selecting appropriate sun protection controls (shade, clothing, sunscreen, eye protection), monitoring UV index levels, and responding to signs of heat stress or UV overexposure. It also defines roles and responsibilities, training requirements, PPE standards, and documentation expectations so supervisors and managers can demonstrate due diligence during audits, regulator inspections, or incident investigations. By implementing this SOP, you create a consistent, organisation-wide approach that reduces preventable harm, supports worker wellbeing, and protects your brand from the reputational and financial impacts of UV-related claims.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of UV-related skin cancers, sunburn, and eye damage for outdoor and UV-exposed workers.
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation and cancer prevention guidance relating to solar and artificial UV radiation.
• Standardise planning and supervision of outdoor work to avoid or minimise tasks during peak UV and heat periods.
• Improve worker understanding and uptake of sun protection controls through clear instructions and training prompts.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients, and insurers with a documented, repeatable UV risk management process.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Advisors
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Operations Managers
• Horticulture and Grounds Maintenance Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Supervisors
• Local Government Works Supervisors
• Event and Venue Managers
• Laboratory Managers using UV equipment

Hazards Addressed

• Chronic exposure to solar UV radiation leading to skin cancer and premature skin ageing
• Acute sunburn and associated skin damage
• UV-induced eye injuries including photokeratitis and cataracts
• Heat stress and heat-related illness when working in hot, sunny conditions
• Exposure to artificial UV sources (e.g. UV curing lamps, germicidal lamps, laboratory UV equipment)
• Dehydration and fatigue associated with prolonged work in direct sun
• Reduced concentration and increased risk of secondary incidents due to heat and glare

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (including UV Index, PPE, UVR)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Workers, Contractors)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and UV Risk Assessment Process
• 6.0 UV Exposure Control Hierarchy (Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPE)
• 7.0 Planning Outdoor Work and Scheduling Around UV and Heat
• 8.0 Sun Protection Measures (Shade, Clothing, Hats, Sunglasses, Sunscreen)
• 9.0 Controls for Artificial UV Sources (laboratories, curing processes, disinfection systems)
• 10.0 Hydration, Rest Breaks and Heat Stress Management
• 11.0 Pre-Start Checks and Daily UV Monitoring (UV Index, weather conditions)
• 12.0 Worker Information, Training and Supervision Requirements
• 13.0 Health Monitoring and Early Reporting of UV-Related Symptoms
• 14.0 Emergency Response and First Aid for UV Overexposure and Heat Illness
• 15.0 Inspection, Audit and Review of UV Controls
• 16.0 Recordkeeping and Documentation Requirements
• 17.0 Continuous Improvement and Review of this SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Guidance: Guide on Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Cancer Council Australia – SunSmart Workplace resources and guidance
• AS/NZS 1067.1:2016 Eye and face protection – Sunglasses and fashion spectacles
• AS/NZS 4399:2017 Sun protective clothing – Evaluation and classification
• AS/NZS 2604:2021 Sunscreen products – Evaluation and classification
• AS/NZS 4501.2:2006 Occupational protective clothing – General requirements
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use