Artificial UVR protection: Provincial and territorial regulation of occupational artificial UVR protection policies

February 1, 2019

Learn how provincial and territorial governments can protect workers from artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure

Inside this UVR policy pack

• UVR policy pack: background evidence
• Evidence-informed UVR policy actions
• Key statistics: Exposure to solar and artificial UVR in Canada
• Public perceptions of the issue of exposure to UVR and cancer
• Economic evidence to support UVR policy
• Indicators to measure progress on UVR policy

Occupational artificial UVR policies

Issue

Develop UVR protection policies in child care settings, schools, recreational settings for children and adolescents, and workplaces with outdoor workers^1,2,3

Action

Provide leadership through occupational solar UVR protection policy^3,4

Provide artificial UVR protection control measures in line with occupational hazard controls (e.g., modifying protective surfaces, providing personal protective equipment)³

Degree of policy adoption*

MEDIUM

Current action(s) in Canada

All provinces and territories address protection from artificial UVR exposure within occupational health and safety legislation, but measures vary. Ontario and Alberta cite general welding and radiological hazard protection practices in legislation, whereas all other provinces and territories cite the provision of personal protective equipment (including clothing and/or eye protection) and other devices and materials such as welding barriers and screens (NL, PEI, NS, NB, BC and YK require anti-reflective coatings on welding screens) as protection from radiological hazards within legislation.

The federal Canada Labour Code also contains general provisions for all employers to reduce workplace hazards by providing personal protective equipment, clothing devices or materials, which offers additional opportunities for solar UVR protection in all Canadian workplaces.

* Levels of adoption:  Low = very few jurisdictions have adopted evidence-informed policy action; Medium = some, but not all jurisdictions have adopted evidence-informed policy action; High = most jurisdictions have adopted evidence-informed policy action.

References

¹ Cancer Care Ontario (2016). Prevention System Quality Index. Retrieved from: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/statistical-reports/prevention-system-quality-index

² Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC)/Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). (2017).  Burden of Occupational Cancer in Ontario: Major workplace carcinogens and prevention of exposure. Retrieved from: http://www.occupationalcancer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Burden-of-Occupational-Cancer-in-Ontario.pdf

³ SunSmart Victoria. (2015). Policy Statements and Actions. Retrieved from: https://www.sunsmart.com.au/downloads/shade/suggested-policy-statements.pdf

⁴ Department of Health (Victoria, Australia). (2019). Shade Grants Program. Retrieved from: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/preventive-health/skin-cancer-prevention