The five steps tradies neglect that place them at cancer risk

Australian tradies are well educated in safety on site – but are still ignoring five crucial steps that could save their lives.

Australia’s tradies are exposed to 10 times more cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation (UV) than office workers – but they aren’t using sunscreen.

One in four rarely use sunscreen in summer and half don’t use it in winter, an alarming new YouGov report commissioned by the federal government and Cancer Council has found.

This is even though six in 10 know a mate who developed skin cancer.

While around half the tradies are confident explaining their favourite sport or how to cook the perfect steak, almost three in four admit they can’t explain how UV works, or its relationship to “Australia’s national cancer”.

“Tradies are known to have high standards when it comes to safety on site, but this data shows many aren’t fully considering sun safety as a part of their daily routines,” Cancer Council Australia chief executive Dr Tanya Buchanan said.

“What we’re wanting to do is encourage tradies to be SunSmart when they’re on the job, and that’s why we’re launching the tradie toolbox, so that they can have those resources to remind them to be SunSmart and to use all five forms for some protection,” she said.

Adam and Tara Hastie practising sun safety on the worksite at Enoggera with their Activates Construction team Wade Williams, Jordan Vaughan and Joe Scannell. Picture: Lachie Millard

A free SunSmart Tradie Toolbox contains easily downloaded posters that remind people of the five sun safe practices Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide – whenever the UV is three or above.

The idea is that worksites should display the posters next to safety signs to remind tradies to be sun safe.

Activates Construction owners Adam and Tarah Hastie said the toolbox was something everyone in the building and construction industry could support.

“It’s so important to make sure your hat, sunnies and sunscreen are packed as part of your everyday routine before you head off to work,” Mr Hastie said.

“I’m constantly reminding myself and my trades to be careful and remember that safety comes first on-site – and that includes being SunSmart,” he said.

Currently, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

In 2021, it was estimated 16,878 people would be diagnosed with melanoma and approximately 1400 Australians lose their lives to melanoma each year.

Without action, between now and 2030, more than 14,000 Australians will lose their lives to melanoma.

All Australians – are also encouraged to download the free SunSmart App to check the UV in their local area.