The Hunter Melanoma Foundation (HMF) has launched the Sun Safe Workplace Awareness Program (SWAP) at Newcastle Racecourse, establishing a new framework for UV protection in Australian workplaces. The online training initiative is designed to address skin cancer risks for outdoor workers, a group statistically more vulnerable to the disease.
Australia currently records the highest rate of skin cancer globally. According to HMF data, outdoor workers receive significantly higher UV exposure than those in indoor roles, making them five to 10 times more likely to develop skin cancer. Despite these figures, many businesses lack formalised sun safety training or policies.
Executive Officer at Hunter Melanoma Foundation, Claudia Tolhurst said the program was developed to fill a documented gap in workplace health and safety (WHS) protocols.
“SWAP provides businesses with a practical framework to protect teams from UV exposure,” Claudia said.
“It is intended to help businesses embed sun safety into daily operations, ensuring those working in construction, road maintenance and agriculture have access to necessary health information.”
The program includes online learning modules, toolbox talks, sun safety checklists and a sample Sun Protection Policy. It also provides businesses with pre- and post-training surveys to measure the effectiveness of the education and track safety compliance.
Kyle Farrelly, owner of Farrelly Construction Services, is among the first regional business owners to enrol his staff in the program. For Kyle, the implementation is a response to the loss of his brother, Darren Farrelly, to melanoma in 2023.
“In a construction company with 400 employees who predominately work outdoors, it is critical that we take steps to reduce UV exposure,” Kyle said.
“It is important to our family that we do everything within our means to ensure other families do not experience the same loss.”
The SWAP program is available to businesses, sole traders and individuals nationwide through the HMF digital portal. The foundation, which is community-funded, intends for the program to move beyond a simple compliance requirement to become a standard part of regional and national outdoor workplace culture.
IMAGE | Hunter Melanoma Foundation launches national workplace sun safety program
