National Skin Cancer Action Week 2026: Protect Your Skin at Work This Summer

National Skin Cancer Action Week 2026: Protect Your Skin at Work This Summer

Australia's UV burns unprotected skin in minutes, and 2 in 3 Australians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. National Skin Cancer Action Week runs from 15 to 22 November, right before summer arrives. Your best defence on the job is UPF 50+ clothing and a broad-brimmed or legionnaire hat, backed by sunscreen, sunglasses, shade and electrolyte hydration every day you work outside. Employers hold a duty to supply UV protection for outdoor staff, so check your team's gear now and replace anything worn, faded or missing a neck flap.

What does UPF 50+ mean?

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how much UV gets through a fabric. A UPF 50+ fabric lets through 2% of UV or less, which is 1/50th of the sun's rays. Australian Standard AS 4399:2020 sets how sun protective clothing gets tested and rated.

Look for the UPF 50+ Excellent Protection label on hats, shirts and accessories before you buy.

Cover more skin

Research shows covering more of your body with the right clothing cuts your skin cancer risk. Aim to cover from your shoulders to mid-thigh, plus your neck and torso. Your head, ears, and face need protection too, and a broad brim or legionnaire flap does the job. Long sleeves and a collar add cover where sunscreen often wears off.

Cover your head: pick the right hat for your job

Picking your head protection largely depends on your work, safety requirements, and how hot you run. It’s important to stop and plan your workwear as the best hat ultimately is the one you keep on all day.

Cover your body: tees, shirts and pants.

Long sleeves cover more skin, so sun safety guidelines encourage them for outdoor work. The trade-off is heat. Your fabric decides how cool you stay in long sleeves.

• UPF 50+ long sleeve work shirts give full arm cover with heat ventilation panels to help with heat management.
• Check the UPF rating, as some light weaves let more UV through.
• Ripstop shirts resist tears and snags on rough sites. Heavier ripstop holds more heat, so look for lightweight ripstop with vents.
• A collar shields the back of your neck, where sunscreen wears off first.
• Short sleeves and shorts feel cooler but leave your arms and legs exposed. Pair them with sunscreen.

Cover your hands: gloves

Gloves often get overlooked, yet the backs of your hands cop direct sun all day. Any glove adds cover. A light duty or fingerless glove protects your hands without the heat of a heavy glove. If gloves aren’t practical in your profession put sunscreen on any skin that is bare.

Cover your eyes: safety sunglasses

UV damages your eyes as well as your skin. Dual purpose safety glasses give you impact protection and sun protection in one pair, and polarised lenses cut glare off water, glass and metal. Our Scope by PIP range uses side shields for protection from all angles. Most models also carry anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings.

Cover your neck: cooling scarves

A cooling scarf does two jobs on a hot day. It shields your neck from direct sun and keeps you cooler while you work. Wear it under your hat flap or collar for full neck cover.

Cover the rest: sunscreen

Sunscreen protects the skin your clothes miss, like your face, ears and the backs of your hands. We stock Probloc SPF 50+ sunscreen from Pro Choice Safety Gear in store. Choose a lip balm for your lips, a personal squeeze bottle for your kit bag, or a 2.5L pump bottle for quick daily use across the whole crew. Apply it 20 minutes before you head outside and reapply every two hours, or sooner if you sweat.

Why talk to our team

Every job needs a different balance of UPF rating, airflow and toughness. Your mix depends on what your site demands, such as a hard hat, hi-vis, rough surfaces, or a full day in direct sun. Our team knows the ranges and the Australian Standards. We help you match the right shirt, pants and hat to your site, your helmet and your budget.

Employers: review your sun safety before summer

Employers carry the duty to provide UV protection for workers exposed to the sun. Use Skin Cancer Action Week to run a quick check.

• Give every outdoor worker a UPF 50+ hat that suits their helmet or task
• Stock long-sleeve UPF 50+ shirts and keep sunscreen on site
• Schedule heavy outdoor tasks outside the midday UV peak where possible
• Replace faded, stretched or torn hats and flaps

Need gear in your business colours? Newcastle Hats customises the Nullarbor range in small or large runs, with a six-week lead time, so order early.

Sun damage and heat stress: two risks, one plan

Skin cancer and heat stress are different risks. UV damages your skin cells over years, while heat stress builds within hours when your body struggles to cool down. Both peak on hot, sunny summer days, and both put outdoor workers in hospital every year. The same habits protect you from each, because shade, breaks, a broad-brimmed hat, and the right fabric cut your UV exposure and your heat load at once.

Watch for heat illness

Sun exposure on hot days also raises your risk of heat stress. Drink water often, take breaks in the shade and choose breathable fabrics like micro mesh. Know the warning signs of heatstroke in yourself and your workmates.

• Confusion or slurred speech
• Dizziness, headache, or nausea
• Hot, red skin, with or without sweating
• Fainting or collapse

Stay hydrated with Thorzt

On hot days you sweat out water and electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium. Drinking water alone doesn't replace those minerals, and low levels add to cramps, fatigue and poor focus on site. Thorzt electrolyte drinks are designed for Australian workers in the heat. Choose Solo Shot sachets for a 600ml bottle, ready-to-drink bottles, icy poles or cooler concentrates for the whole crew, with caffeine-free and 99% sugar-free options. Sip small amounts often alongside water, and keep your UPF 50+ hat and sleeves on to cut the heat load on your body.

Get the right advice

Always call emergency services on 000 if you see signs of heatstroke. Speak with your doctor or a medical professional for advice on your own skin and health. Our team at Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety Ballarat is here to help you choose the right sun protection in store at Wendouree and Delacombe.