Employers face penalties for failing to provide sun protection

Citation

(2011), "Employers face penalties for failing to provide sun protection", Structural Survey, Vol. 29 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2011.11029bab.009

Employers face penalties for failing to provide sun protection

Article Type: Newsbriefs From: Structural Survey, Volume 29, Issue 2

Keywords: Cancer, Employment, Sun protection

UK employers could face legal action if they fail to protect their workers from skin damage caused by the sun. A landmark Australian case – where workers who contracted skin cancer after long hours working outdoors in the sun sued their employers for not providing adequate sunscreen – has recently concluded and has worrying implications for bosses who are not looking after their staff. The Australian court found the employer liable for damages. Although temperatures in the UK do not reach the same heights as in Australia, the UK sun is still damaging for those spending long periods of time without protection. Richard Biggs, associate at law firm Ralli, said: “British firms could find themselves facing action if they fail to protect the skin health of their staff.” The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Of the 100,000 new cases recorded each year, 8,000 relate to malignant melanoma.