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UV risk assessment worksheet

This worksheet helps WHS managers and safety leads assess ultraviolet radiation (UV) risk for outdoor workers. It applies the hierarchy of controls required under s.19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, which obliges a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the work environment (WHS Act 2011, s.19(3)(a)).

The risk you're required to manage

Solar UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer in Australia. Safe Work Australia identifies that occupational UV exposure limits (30 J/m² over an 8-hour day, per ARPANSA RPS No. 12) are typically exceeded within 10 minutes of unprotected summer exposure. The Cancer Council recommends that outdoor workers use sun protection year-round, even when the UV Index is below 3.

Section one

Site details

Section two

Risk factor assessment

For each factor below, tick the box that best matches the conditions at this worksite. Score 1 for Low, 2 for Medium, or 3 for High.

Note: UV protection is required whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or above (Cancer Council Australia). In most of Australia, UV levels routinely exceed 3 outside peak hours, year-round in northern regions (BOM Average UV Index Maps).
Time in direct sunlight Source: Safe Work Australia, Guide on Exposure to Solar UVR
Shade availability Source: Cancer Council Australia, SunSmart at Work
Reflective surfaces Source: Safe Work Australia, Guide on Exposure to Solar UVR
Geographic location (latitude) Source: Bureau of Meteorology, Average UV Index Maps
Season / time of year Source: ARPANSA, UV Radiation Index
Typical UV Index for location / season Source: Cancer Council Australia, UV Index; BOM UV data
Not sure? See typical UV Index by capital city

Click any cell to set the UV Index answer above. Data: Bureau of Meteorology, Average UV Index Maps.

Capital city Winter (Jun–Aug) Autumn / Spring Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hobart
Melbourne
Sydney
Adelaide
Perth
Brisbane
Darwin
Cairns

Scale: 1–5 Low · 6–10 Med · 11+ Extreme

Section three

Scoring summary

Add all six factor scores together
Total score — / 18
Overall risk level
—
6–9 LOW RISK
10–14 MODERATE RISK
15–18 HIGH RISK
Section four

Recommended controls by risk level

Apply controls following the hierarchy: elimination and substitution first, then engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE as the last line of defence (Safe Work Australia, Guide on Exposure to Solar UVR). Controls are cumulative: each higher risk level includes all measures from the levels below it.

Under WHS Act s.19, the PCBU must implement controls that are reasonably practicable. PPE alone is never sufficient (Safe Work Australia).
Risk level Required controls Additional measures
LOW (6–9)
  • SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen provided and applied 20 min before exposure
  • Broad-brimmed or legionnaire hats
  • UV-rated safety eyewear
  • Skin check cards provided to all outdoor workers
  • Annual skin check awareness program
MODERATE (10–14)
  • All LOW controls, plus:
  • Portable or temporary shade structures at work areas
  • Schedule high-exposure tasks before 10 am or after 3 pm (DST) where practicable
  • UPF 50+ long-sleeve shirts and long pants
  • Toolbox talks on UV risk at least quarterly
  • Skin check cards distributed at toolbox talks
  • UV index monitoring via BOM/SunSmart app
  • Hydration and rest-break policy
  • Onsite skin checks or vouchers encouraged annually
HIGH (15–18)
  • All LOW + MODERATE controls, plus:
  • Permanent shade structures or enclosed work areas
  • Mandatory rescheduling of outdoor tasks outside peak UV (10 am – 3 pm DST)
  • Compulsory full-coverage UPF 50+ clothing, hat, eyewear, and SPF 50+ sunscreen
  • Daily UV briefing at pre-start meetings
  • Skin check cards distributed to all outdoor workers
  • Documented sun safety plan reviewed annually
  • Consider engineering redesign to minimise outdoor exposure
  • Onsite skin checks or vouchers for all outdoor workers
Section five

Action plan

Record specific actions arising from this assessment.

Action 1
Action 2
Action 3
Action 4
Action 5
Action 6
Section six

Sign-off

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Sources and references

This worksheet draws on the following primary sources.

  1. Safe Work Australia, Guide on Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR), 2019 (updated). safeworkaustralia.gov.au
  2. Cancer Council Australia, SunSmart at Work: Outdoor Workers and Sun Protection. cancer.org.au
  3. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth), Section 19: Primary Duty of Care. legislation.gov.au
  4. ARPANSA, Radiation Protection Series No. 12: Occupational Exposure to UV Radiation (30 J/m² limit). arpansa.gov.au
  5. Bureau of Meteorology, Average Solar Ultraviolet (UV) Index Maps. bom.gov.au
Disclaimer: This worksheet is provided as a general guide to assist with UV risk assessment. It does not constitute legal advice and should be used in conjunction with your organisation's WHS management system. For site-specific advice, consult your state or territory WHS regulator.