School Policies
Sun and UV Protection
School Policies
Sun and UV Protection
The purpose of this policy is to create school environments and encourage behaviours at school that minimise the risk of skin cancer.
Schools should:
Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV) during childhood and adolescence is a major factor in determining future skin cancer risk. Melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians aged 13 to 24 years. Overexposure to UV radiation can cause:
UV radiation:
School staff have a duty of care and obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to minimise the risks to student health and safety arising from exposure to UV. These obligations can be met by:
When UV levels are 3 or above (generally from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria) all staff and students should:
OHS risk controls should consider the school environment including:
Schools should develop a communication strategy as part of their SunSmart policy for the whole school community that includes:
The daily sun protection times let you know when you do and don't need sun protection each day. These are available:
Schools should consider:
For health and safety, schools should respond to each of the following UV protections measures when UV levels are 3 or above. Schools should also consider becoming a SunSmart school.
The school council and principal must ensure there is provision for shade in planning for future buildings or grounds. Schools should consider the availability of shade and other appropriate sun protection measures when planning excursions and other outdoor activities or events.
It is important to ensure that there are sufficient shelters and trees to adequately shade the school grounds, particularly in the following spaces:
School uniforms or dress codes must include sun-protective clothing such as:
Singlet tops offer little protection and are not recommended.
Refer to SunSmart’s Slip on clothing for further information.
Students and staff should be encouraged to wear hat styles which protect the face, back of the neck, eyes and ears, these include:
Baseball or peaked caps and sun visors are not recommended, as these styles do not protect the ears, cheeks or neck.
Refer to SunSmart’s Slap on a hat for further information.
Schools should encourage students and staff to wear close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses that cover as much of the eye area as possible. Sunglasses should ideally meet the following requirements:
Refer to SunSmart’s Slide on sunglasses for further information.
Schools should encourage and remind students and staff to:
Students should not rely on sunscreen as a sole line of defense against UV. It should be used along with other sun protection measures. Students should:
The risk of allergies and cross infection from sunscreen use is very low. But where a student has experienced a reaction to sunscreen, parents or independent students should be encouraged to consult their doctor and seek a referral to a dermatologist to understand what may have caused a reaction and gain advice on ingredients that should be avoided in the future. Other sun protection measures should be followed when sunscreen can’t be used.
Refer to sunscreen reactions for further information.
The sun's UV is both the major cause of skin cancer and the best source of vitamin D. Adequate vitamin D levels are reached through regular incidental exposure to the sun for most people.
When the UV index is 3 or above (generally from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria) most students and staff can maintain adequate vitamin D levels just by spending a few minutes outdoors on most days of the week.
When the UV index falls below 3, students and staff should spend some time outdoors in the middle of the day with some skin uncovered. In late autumn and winter when the UV index falls below 3, sun protection is not required unless you are at high altitudes, near highly reflective surfaces like snow, or are outside for extended periods.
Sensible sun protection does not put people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
As part of OHS risk control and role-modelling for students, during sun protection times when the UV levels are 3 or above, staff are encouraged to:
During sun protection times, families and visitors participating in and attending outdoor school activities should also be encouraged to use a combination of sun-protection measures.