Sun Protection

Policy Statement

This policy is intended to protect City of Toronto employees from adverse effects associated with exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation.

The policy and its guidelines will provide direction for the development and implementation of a sun protection program at the City of Toronto.

Application

This policy applies to every division, supervisor and employee of the City of Toronto, where outdoor work or work assignments are required and there is a risk of prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation as a result of these activities.

Definitions

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation:

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of solar radiation emitted from the sun. This type of radiation can cause many adverse health effects associated with prolonged sun exposure.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF):

The SPF number represents the level of sunburn protection provided by a sunscreen. The higher the SPF number, the more protection that is offered (i.e. An SPF of 15 blocks out 93% of UV rays, and an SPF of 30 blocks out 97%of UV rays).

Outdoor Worker:

An employee that is required to perform outdoor work or outdoor work assignments and is at risk of prolonged sun exposure, based on risk assessment (Refer to Risk Assessment Section in Guidelines).

Roles/Responsibilities

Divisions are required to:

  • Identify all outdoor work activities where there is a risk of prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation
  • Conduct a risk assessment to determine the potential exposure to solar UV radiation and the appropriate sun protection measures needed, in consultation with occupational health and safety consultants
  • Develop a sun protection program to minimize the risk of sun-related health effects, if needed, based on the outcome of the risk assessment
    Inform supervisors and workers of jobs that have the potential for prolonged sun exposure
  • Develop a training system to ensure supervisors and workers are aware of: (Refer to Education & Training Section in Guidelines)
    • solar ultraviolet radiation
    • health effects associated with prolonged sun exposure
    • protective measures against sun exposure
  • Provide appropriate measures to protect employees against solar UV exposures, including administrative, engineering and personal protective measures (as recommended in the Sun Protection Guidelines)
  • Review the risk assessment to ensure the classification of risk is current and correlated with job demands

Supervisors are required to:

  • Be aware of all work under their supervision that places an employee at risk of prolonged sun exposure
  • Implement and support the use of safe work procedures created to prevent sun-related health effects
  • Ensure that information on ultraviolet radiation from the sun, health effects associated with sun exposure, and sun protection measures, are communicated to all outdoor employees through education/information sessions (Refer to Education & Training Section in Guidelines)
  • Encourage the use of sun protection to ensure workers are adequately protected while working in the sun
  • Be aware of changing conditions, and the need to implement sun protection measures
  • Record sun-related injuries on the Supervisor’s Report of Injury

Employees are required to:

  • Be aware of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, health effects associated with sun exposure and the protective measures needed
  • Adhere to safe work procedures established to reduce the risk of sun-related health effects
  • Use sun protection measures as needed to decrease sun exposure
  • Report sun-related injuries to the immediate supervisor

Human Resources Occupational Health & Safety Consultants will:

  • Assist in the risk assessment to determine the potential exposure to solar UV radiation and the appropriate sun protection measures needed
  • Assist in the implementation of the policy and the development of safe work procedures

Occupational Health Safety and Workers’ Compensation (OHSWC) will:

  • Advise, as needed, on the risk of prolonged sun exposure based on job demands
  • Assist the Occupational Health & Safety Coordinating Committee in the evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the policy and guidelines

Joint Health & Safety Committees will:

  • Annually review the policy and associated guidelines
  • Provide recommendations during the development of safe work procedures, or for the improvement of existing procedures
  • Review incident and accident reports to assess trends in occupational sun exposures

Authority

Occupational Health & Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990),
Ministry of Labour Health and Safety Guidelines – Ultraviolet Radiation in the Workplace

Approved by

Occupational Health and Safety Co-ordinating Committee (OHSCC)
Executive Management Team, (EMT)

Date Approved

February 18, 2002

OHSCC Reviewed

June 20, 2017

Related information

Guidelines for the Development of a Sun Protection Program