Creating a Sun Safe Outdoor Industry: What Every Leader Needs to Know

Outdoors NSW & ACT
13 minutes ago
3 min read

In outdoor recreation, tourism, education and adventure programs, our people are our greatest asset—and they work under one of Australia’s greatest hazards: the sun. Through our partnership with Cancer Council NSW, Outdoors NSW & ACT is proud to support outdoor leaders with evidence-based guidance to better protect staff, volunteers and participants from the harmful effects of UV exposure.

Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two in three Australians diagnosed in their lifetime. Skin cancer is also Australia’s most costly cancer to treat, now exceeding $2.5 billion annually . For outdoor workers—including guides, instructors, council field staff, educators, and adventure tourism professionals—the risk is significantly amplified. Many receive up to 10 times more UV exposure than indoor workers, often accumulating damaging UV even on cloudy, cool or winter days.

Why This Matters for Outdoor Leaders

Sun safety isn’t just a personal responsibility—it is a legal and workplace health and safety obligation. As highlighted in the Cancer Council’s literature review, PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) must treat UV exposure as a workplace hazard, just as they would with heat, equipment, or environmental risks. This includes policies, PPE, training, risk assessments and task scheduling to minimise exposure .

Outdoor leaders also influence behaviour. When you role-model sun safety, participants follow. When your organisation builds a culture of protection, injury risk drops, and long-term health improves. The evidence clearly shows that leadership commitment and workplace culture are critical factors for successful sun protection programs .

What the Research Tells Us

Cancer Council NSW’s comprehensive review of 50+ global studies reveals five consistent themes that produce real change in outdoor settings:

Sun safety requires a multi-component approach
The most effective programs combine education, PPE, shade, policies, scheduling and worker involvement. A single action—like supplying sunscreen—will not shift behaviour on its own .
Policies must be supported by practice
Organisations that introduce sun safety policies and enforce them see higher compliance and sustained behaviour change.
Workers and participants need education
Training and visual reminders significantly improve sunscreen use, protective clothing adoption and shade-seeking behaviour.
Leadership and champions matter
When managers and senior guides model sun safe behaviour, adoption increases across the workplace.
UV exposure happens year-round
Even in winter or low temperatures, UV can still exceed damaging levels. Outdoor leaders are encouraged to think UV, not heat when planning activities and supervising groups.

What Outdoor Leaders Can Start Doing Today

Through our collaboration with Cancer Council NSW, ONSWACT encourages the industry to embed the following into daily practice:

Wear sun protective uniforms (UPF50+, long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses)
Ensure sunscreen availability at all program bases, vehicles and on-trail
Integrate UV checks into morning briefings and dynamic risk assessments
Build shade solutions—portable tarps, shelters, natural shade strategies where possible
Schedule high-exposure tasks for early mornings or late afternoons where possible
Use your voice as a leader—normalise reapplication breaks, hat checks and sun safety moments
Engage your teams—champions, toolbox talks, peer reminders

These strategies are directly backed by Cancer Council research and shown to reduce long-term skin cancer risk for outdoor workers and participants alike.

How This Partnership Supports Our Industry

Our partnership ensures that outdoor organisations have access to:

Evidence-based resources fit for the outdoor environment
Simplified guidance for applying the Hierarchy of Controls to UV exposure
Industry-relevant messaging and templates
Shared advocacy for reducing occupational skin cancer
Support for leaders to embed sun safety across workplaces, programs and training pathways