Frequently asked questions
Your local council is likely to have a number of questions about the reasons for, and benefits of, the introduction of a sun protection policy.
Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions:
Why should we worry about high levels of exposure to UV radiation?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders, with citizens at high risk of developing a skin cancer during their lifetime. Each year in New Zealand, a conservative estimate is that there are 60,000 new cases of skin cancer and around 300 New Zealanders die from the disease. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma death rates in the world. In 2005, there were 2,017 recorded cases of melanoma (most recent data available).
Melanoma and other skin cancers are serious public health problems for which local government needs to assume some responsibility. Most skin cancer is preventable – people just need the best possible opportunities to learn about and practice sun protective behaviours.
For information and statistics on skin cancer get in touch with your local branch of the Cancer Society.
What is the benefit to our area of a sun protection policy?
A sun protection policy gives the council an opportunity to promote a healthier community and shows it believes safety is important for those using its parks, reserves and swimming pools. It creates a healthy environment in the district’s recreation areas. Appropriate sun protection practices show a council is progressive and prepared to take positive action to help reduce the worryingly high rates of skin cancer in New Zealand. Sun protection practices also further a number of community outcomes to do with health, wellbeing, recreation and the environment.
Do we have a legal responsibility to offer employees protection from harmful exposure to UV radiation?
Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 employers have an obligation to ensure that a significant hazard does not result in harm to employees.
OSH guidelines recommend that for every group of employees, an assessment should be made of the UV radiation to which they are likely to be exposed. This should include identification of the tasks with the time of day they are carried out and the period involved. The greatest risk occurs between September and March, usually between 11am and 4pm when the UV radiation is most extreme.
Employers should ensure that the risk posed by harmful patterns of exposure to excessive UV radiation is minimised. In some instances, this may be achieved by taking actions such as simply changing the time of day when a task is carried out. This is the preferred option, but where this is not practical, protection should be provided. The steps that may be taken to reduce the risk posed by harmful patterns of exposure to UVR include working under cover when the sun is most intense, the use of appropriate shade and providing suitable personal protection. Smart employers will look after the short-term and long-term wellbeing of staff.
For more information on how to protect outdoor workers from UV radiation go to www.osh.govt.nz.
What can we provide to staff in terms of training and education on sun protection?
Training should be offered to those responsible for organising outdoor work, new employees and those who are at risk of prolonged exposure to UV radiation. However, raising awareness amongst all council employees of the risks of harmful exposure to UV radiation is beneficial. Training sessions will highlight the importance of the issue and encourage people to be aware of protecting themselves from the sun, even if they are not working outdoors for a prolonged period of time.
Training should be ongoing and designed to achieve:
- awareness of the effects of exposure to excessive UV radiation
- promotion of preventative measures to reduce the risk of harmful UV radiation exposure
- awareness of information on the early detection of skin cancer by self-checking.
Council staff are not health workers; is it really our job to offer sun protection to the public?
Councils have always had an important role in public health activities within their communities. In recent years councils have provided leadership and innovation in a broad range of public health and safety-related activities, including injury prevention, road safety and health promotion on issues such as drugs, alcohol and smokefree outdoor areas.
There is no specific law that requires councils to have sun protection policies in place. However, under the Local Government Act 2002, councils are required to work with other agencies, including non-government organisations such as the Cancer Society, to improve health outcomes. A strategic partnership between the council and agencies such as the Cancer Society has the potential to significantly benefit the community and enhance positive health outcomes in terms of reduced incidence of skin cancer.
What will a sun protection policy cover?
A sun protection policy should cover the following areas:
- outdoor summer events
- outdoor workers
- parks and gardens
- swimming and paddling pools
- other outdoor facilities (eg, camping grounds)
- planning and building approvals.
For example, a sun protection policy will ensure shade appropriate for the time of the day and season is provided in public areas including parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities. Shade provision should ideally also be incorporated into new developments and facilities where there is significant use of outdoor space. Planning shade in advance is cost-effective. By undertaking shade audits council can ensure they create cost-effective shade solutions.
Summer events are another area where sun protection is important. Some councils currently offer free sunscreen, ensure provision of appropriate shade is available, and educate the community on the importance of being SunSmart.
Why spend time and effort on a sun protection policy when we can just implement practices?
Many decisions and actions by local council staff are determined by what is in the council’s plans. By adopting a policy, it shows the council has considered the implications of harmful exposure to UV radiation and made a commitment to reduce the risk of skin cancer and other diseases related to excessive exposure to UV radiation among its staff and community. A change of general culture throughout the organisation is more likely to result in practices that are enduring and across the board.
How can we encourage private developers in the region to provide sun protection?
A number of councils both nationally and internationally have amended applications that pertain to the use of commercial and industrial outdoor development. Developers are now asked to demonstrate that appropriate shade has been considered and addressed in their plans.
Raising general public awareness of the issue as much as possible is one of the best ways to encourage the consideration of sun protection, as private developers are likely to respond to public demand.
Is there a lot of public support for sun protection?
People are recognising the risks of harmful exposure to UV radiation and the subsequent development of skin cancer. Health organisations, doctors, parents and those who have suffered the effects of skin cancer first hand are just some of the people who have made efforts to raise public awareness of the need to be SunSmart over recent years. This is evident in other areas such as schools where policies and practices have been designed to protect children.
This is an opportunity for your council to be seen as progressive and proactive in this area and you can play a large part in providing a supportive environment for people to make SunSmart decisions. The public will see your council promoting wellbeing in the community and giving residents and visitors to the area the opportunity to enjoy the district’s outdoor and recreation areas as safely as possible during the summer months.
Do other areas have sun protection policies?
Horowhenua District Council and Wanganui District Council have successfully implemented generic sun protection policies with little cost involved. Sun protection practices for outdoor workers, outdoor events and beaches have also been implemented in places such as Wellington, Christchurch, New Plymouth and Nelson. Internationally, the City of Whittlesea (Australia) has had a shade policy in place since 1999 for which it has received a health award.