Melanoma awareness campaign to protect tradies

The Cancer Council’s SunSmart Tradie Toolbox program will provide an in-person sun-safety briefing – similar to a health and safety briefing – to employees at major construction sites before they start work.

Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred, Associate Professor Victoria Mar, said the location of the launch was particularly significant.

“We’re very proud to be working with our construction partners to build what is the future of cancer care here at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre,” A/Prof Mar said.

“We know that working outdoors is a significant melanoma risk factor and it’s fitting that a resource addressing this be launched here, where up to 250 construction workers are outside at any one time.”

Currently two-in-three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime and approximately 2000 Australians lose their lives to the disease each year, with men making up almost 75 per cent of this figure.

The Tradie Toolbox is being distributed by building and construction industry partner Incolink, with CEO Erik Locke saying that occupational exposure to the sun accounts for around 200 melanoma cases each year.

“Recent research has revealed that large numbers of tradespeople, many of which frequently work outdoors, fail to properly protect themselves from the sun,” Mr Locke said.

“The tragedy of this is that at least 95 per cent of skin cancers are preventable if we do the right things, such as wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, scheduling outdoor tasks earlier or later in the day when possible, and taking breaks in the shade.”

For more information about the resource, click here.