Simple sun safe policy
About sun safety policies
A sun safety policy supports workplaces to formalise your commitment to sun safety at work.
It provides a clear framework for identifying UV risk, setting expectations and embedding sun safety into everyday work practices.
Meet your duty of care obligations. Have a clear policy to support consistent sun safe behaviour and make sure UV protection is treated as a core work health and safety issue — not personal choice.
Consider these things when drafting your sun safety policy
Rationale/purpose
Why is this important and what is the purpose of the policy? You can use the latest statistics and data to inform the rationale.
Scope
Who, what, when and where does the policy apply?
Roles and responsibilities
What are the obligations or responsibilities of the workplace? What are the obligations and responsibilities of individual workers?
Policy approval
Who needs to endorse this policy?
Communication
How will this policy be shared and communicated to staff? See our communication kit for ideas and templates.
Sun safety policy template
Click here to download and adapt the sun safety policy template.
Download policy template
Make it happen
- Decide if your organisation needs a new policy or if an existing policy or procedure can be modified to incorporate UV radiation protection.
- Circulate drafts of the policy to workers for comment.
- Include procedures for dealing with feedback, non-compliance, reporting incidents of UV radiation injuries (sunburns) and complaints. Manage non-compliance with the sun protection policy the same as any other non-compliance issue.
- Set realistic timeframes for implementing the policy. Some workplaces designate an adjustment period before making UV radiation protection equipment compulsory.
- Update the organisation's standard incident management, refresher training and disciplinary procedures. Put new reporting procedures in place for UV radiation-related injuries and let workers know about it.
- Ensure management is well informed and confident dealing with questions about the policy and non-compliance.
- Reassess the risk and review the policy regularly to make sure it stays current.