Working Outdoors
Course Overview
Sun exposure and heat stress are two common hazards when working outdoors. Skin cancer is by far the most prevalent form of cancer in Australia and our incidence rates are the highest in the world. Heat stress can be debilitating and can result in a heatstroke, a life threatening condition.
Under OHS legislation, employers must provide and maintain a work environment that is safe and without risks to employees' health. Employers must identify hazards and eliminate risks to health as far as is reasonably practicable and if not, reduce them as far as is reasonably practicable. OHS law requires employees at all levels to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that their acts or omissions at a workplace do not adversely affect the health and safety of themselves or others.
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the most common hazards when working outdoors and effective ways of managing and reducing/eliminating sun exposure and heat stress.
Key Content- Sun exposure, heat stress and OHS legislation.
- UV rays.
- Skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.
- Sun exposure and ways to reduce it.
- Sunscreen tips and self examination.
- Heat stress: personal and environmental factors.
- When will heat stress occur?
- Symptoms of heat stress.
- Where will heat stress occur?
- Dehydration and Acclimatisation.
- Ways to treat heat stress.
- Heat stroke.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, learners should be able to:- Explain the relationship between sun exposure, UV rays and skin cancer.
- Distinguish the different types of skin cancer.
- Describe melanoma.
- Protect themselves from sun exposure.
- Explain the importance of regular skin examinations.
- Explain the concept of heat stress, its causes and symptoms.
- Identify when and where heat stress will occur.
- Discuss ways of preventing and treating heat stress.