Rural workers have a high risk of getting skin cancers, as their work can expose them to long periods of ultraviolet radiation.

Spot the hazard

To help you spot skin cancer hazards, consider:

• Lack of shade in outdoor work areas.
• Reflective surfaces, eg water, cement, shiny metal or white painted sheds and silos, cement surfaces.
• What jobs are done in sunlight, and how long they take.
• What are the peak sun hours.
• The day's ultraviolet exposure forecast.
• What body surfaces are exposed to sunlight.
• Whether sun blockout is provided or used.
• Whether protective clothing is available and worn.

Assess the risk

To assess the risk of skin cancer from identified hazards:

• Work out approximately how long is spent working outdoors each day.
• Identify what jobs are normally done in peak sun - between 10am and 4pm.
• Check whether shade is available for outdoor jobs.
• Check whether hats, protective clothing and sunscreens are adequate.
• Check whether SPF15+ sunscreen is applied to all exposed skin areas.
• Ensure sunscreen is re-applied during outdoor work.

Learn to identify various types of skin cancer, and check your skin for sunspots and unusual pigmentation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma
Starts as a small lump that flattens out as it grows. One of the two most common growths, it can be easily treated and cured.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The other most common growth; however it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant Melanoma
The most dangerous type of skin cancer. Often starts as a dark mole. This type is responsible for over 1000 deaths in Australia each year.

Sunspot (Keratosis)
A small, scaly patch of skin occurring on the arms, face, nose and ears. They are not strictly a form of cancer, but indicate excessive exposure to solar UV radiation.

Be aware of short term injury risks:

• reddened skin, blistering, swelling, and later, peeling of the skin.
• photosensitisation - acute skin reaction to UV with certain drugs, ointments, creams, and chemicals, resulting in increased sunburn and skin damage.
• photoconjunctivitis and photokeratitis - sore, red, gritty swollen eyes, with sensitivity to strong lights.

Long term effects include:

• Prematurely ageing - wrinkling, wasting skin tissues, excessive pigmentation, spots marked by clusters of tiny blood vessels.
• Cataracts of the eye.

Make the changes

• Wear cool, protective clothing, i.e. a shady hat, shirt with collar and long sleeves, and long trousers.
• Use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF +15) before you go into the sun.
• Noses, lips, ears, bald heads, necks and backs of hands need extra protection.
• Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially if you are sweating.
• Make use of shade areas wherever possible in the high risk hours.
• Use a tractor with shade protection fitted.
• To safeguard against cataracts, sunglasses that conform to with applicable standards are recommended.

Early signs

Check your skin for early signs of skin cancer:

• any unusual skin conditions that don't heal in four weeks;
• any sore, ulcer or scaly patch on the skin;
• a white patch on the lips that doesn't heal;
• any mole that seems to grow quickly;
• any mole that changes shape or colour;
• any mole that bleeds or repeatedly itches.

If you find any of these signs, see your doctor.

Remember

Over-exposure to the sun's rays increases the skin cancer risk both now and in the future.

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