Skin cancer

The ongoing depletion of the ozone layer is increasingly putting people who spend a lot of the day working outside - such as farmers - at risk of skin cancer from exposure to solar radiation.

Examples of hazards which can cause skin cancer are:

• Working in the sun without a hat or sunglasses.
• Driving a tractor without any shade, dressed inappropriately, and without a hat or sunglasses.
• Picking fruit when dressed inappropriately for work in the heat of the day.

Some ways you can reduce risk the risk of skin cancer and heat stroke are:

• Apply adequate skin protection sun screens and reapply throughout the day.
• Wear wide-brim sunhats and sun glasses.
• Whenever you can, avoid outdoor work in the heat of the day between 11am and 3pm.
• Reduce body heat by replacing fluid loss - drink lots of water and juice (NOT alcohol).