Policy

The purpose of this policy is to create school environments and encourage behaviours at school that minimise the risk of skin cancer.

Summary

Schools should:

support staff and students to use a combination of sun protection measures when UV index levels are 3 or above (generally from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria)
develop and implement local policy and procedures promoting sun-safe practices in consultation with students, staff and parents. A local SunSmart policy template is available on the School Policy TemplatesPortal (staff login required) for schools to modify to suit their local circumstances
review, and if necessary update, the policy at least once every 3 to 4 years

Details

Ultraviolet radiation

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:

skin cancer
premature ageing
sunburn
skin damage
eye damage

UV radiation:

cannot be seen or felt
can be reflected off surfaces such as buildings, asphalt, concrete, water, sand and snow
can pass through light clouds
varies in intensity across the year (highest in Victoria from mid-August to the end of April)
is at its peak during school hours

School obligations

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:

adopting a local SunSmart policy. A local SunSmart policy template is available on the School Policy Templates Portal (staff login required) for schools to modify to suit their local circumstances
providing adequate shade
adopting uniform or dress codes which include sun-protective clothing using hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
staff role-modelling personal sun-protection measures
engaging directly with students to support sun protection strategies

When UV levels are 3 or above (generally from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria) all staff and students should:

use a combination of sun-protection measures (including hats, sunscreen, clothing, shade and sunglasses) when outdoors
avoid deliberate and extended sun exposure

OHS risk controls should consider the school environment including:

developing shade
modifying highly reflective surfaces
higher risk times in Victoria between mid-August to the end of April (inclusive)
outdoor programming schedules
dress codes

Communication

Schools should develop a communication strategy as part of their SunSmart policy for the whole school community that includes:

newsletters
the school’s homepage/intranet
school diary
staff and parent meetings
school assemblies
excursions, camps, sports carnivals and events
student enrolment / new staff orientation

Sun protection times — SunSmart app

The daily sun protection times let you know when you do and don't need sun protection each day. These are available:

via the free SunSmart app and widget
on the SunSmart and Bureau of Meterology websites
in the weather section of the newspaper

Schools should consider:

accessing the daily protection times via the SunSmart app
adding the SunSmart website as a favourite or uploading the free SunSmart widget to the school homepage
enlisting students to help monitor the daily sun protection times and report them to the school community via the daily bulletin, assembly or PA announcements

Sun protection measures

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.

Shade

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:

the canteen
outdoor lesson areas
popular play areas
assembly areas
sporting grounds / pools

Clothing

School uniforms or dress codes must include sun-protective clothing such as:

fabrics with a ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating for sun protection or tightly-woven fabrics
tops/shirts with collars or high necklines, and sleeves of at least three-quarter-length
pants or skirts of at least three-quarter length
rash vests or long sleeve t-shirts for outdoor swimming activities.

Singlet tops offer little protection and are not recommended.

Refer to SunSmart’s Slip on clothing for further information.

Hats

Students and staff should be encouraged to wear hat styles which protect the face, back of the neck, eyes and ears, these include:

broad-brimmed hat
legionnaire hat
bucket hat.

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.

Sunglasses

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:

Australian or New Zealand standard AS or NZS 1067.1:2016 (with lens category 2, 3 or 4, not fashion spectacles)
sunglass lenses with an Eye Protection Factor (EPF) rating of either 9 or 10 or be labelled UV 400

Refer to SunSmart’s Slide on sunglasses for further information.

Sunscreen

Schools should encourage and remind students and staff to:

apply SPF 30 (or higher) broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before going outdoors
re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors and after swimming or sweating
use sunscreen within its expiry date
store sunscreen below 30°C
add sunscreen to the school booklist, as an optional extra, so a student then has their own sunscreen which is suitable for their skin
develop strategies that remind students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors (e.g. reminder notices, sunscreen monitors, sunscreen buddies, sunscreen stations near entry and exit points)

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:

be able to apply their own sunscreen
be reminded to re-apply sunscreen
have access to sunscreen for all outdoor activities e.g. include in a first aid kit

Sunscreen reaction or allergy

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.

Vitamin D

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.

Role-modelling

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:

wear broad-brimmed hats, clothing and sunglasses for all outdoor activities and duties
apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
seek shade whenever possible

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.

What's Happening?

Dates for 2022