It's Not Even Hot… So No Sunscreen? ☀️
Cloudy Days Still Burn
The Takeaway
UV isn't heat. You can't feel it, and it can burn you on a cool or cloudy day. Check the UV forecast and protect your skin whenever the UV index is 3 or above. If you work outdoors, cover up every day:
- Sleeves: a shirt with long sleeves and a collar.
- Brim: a broad-brimmed hat, or a hard hat brim or neck flap on site.
- Sunnies: close-fitting wraparound sunglasses.
- Sunscreen: SPF50+, reapplied about every 2 hours.
- Shade: use shade for breaks wherever you can.
Sunscreen alone isn't enough. Use it with the other steps.
The Script
Rocco: "Cloudy day. Perfect for sunburn."
Manny: "Nah, it's only twenty-two degrees. Sunscreen's for summer."
Rocco: "Mate, heat's what you feel. UV's what you don't. You can burn on a cool day, even through cloud."
Ally: "UV's nine this arvo. Anything three or above, cover up."
Rocco: "Long sleeves. Hard hat brim and neck flap. Wraparound sunnies. Sunscreen, and top it up. Shade for breaks."
Manny: "So… the hard hat's not enough?"
Rocco: "Clip a neck flap on it, mate."
Gel: "UV's the leading cause of skin cancer. Work outside? Cover up daily."
Rocco: "What's your site's sun rule?"
The "UV 9" in the video is illustrative, not a forecast. Check today's UV forecast for your location.
What's Your Site's Sun Rule?
Hats on from when? Sunscreen stations? Shade for breaks? Tell us your site's sun rule in the comments on the Short, or send us a message.
Sources
- Safe Work Australia: Working in the sun
- Cancer Council: UV radiation at work
- ARPANSA: Ultraviolet radiation index (real-time UV)
Characters and voices are AI-generated. General safety information only, not legal advice. Follow your site's procedures.