SunSmart Policy
Rev 1 AMS Nov 2012
Introduction
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Despite being an almost entirely preventable disease it continues to affect at least one in every two Australians during their lifetime. Of all new cancers diagnosed in Australia each year, 80% are skin cancers. All skin types can be damaged by exposure to solar UVR. This is because ultraviolet radiation in sunlight or ‘solar UVR’ is a known carcinogen. Damage is permanent and irreversible and increases with each exposure.
Participation in sport has many health benefits, but also carries the risk of increased exposure to UVR, especially as rogaines are often undertaken during peak UVR periods (10am – 3pm). Queensland Rogaine Association (QRA) has an obligation to take proper steps to reduce the known health risks associated with exposure to solar UVR for rogaine participants and volunteers.
Aim
QRA recognizes the need to protect rogaine participants and volunteers from the sun and educate them about SunSmart behavior, thus reducing the risk of skin damage from overexposure to the sun.
The policy aims to:
- Provide ongoing education that promotes personal responsibility for skin cancer preventionand early detection;
- Provide sporting environments that support SunSmart practices; and
- Create an awareness of the need to schedule events, where possible, to support SunSmartpractices.
Being SunSmart when Setting the Rogaine Event Calendar
Sun safety will be taken into consideration when setting the QRAevent calendar each year. The calendar will be set to reduce the potential UVR exposure for participants and volunteers. This will be achieved by
- Scheduling the majority of rogaine events for the cooler months, during which the UV index is lower, and the length of the day is shorter. QRA recognizes that the winter sun also contributes to skin damage, so the SunSmart practices described in this document will be practiced at events throughout the year.
- During the summer months, scheduling event start/finish times to avoid the peak UVR periods (10am – 3pm). For example, the upside-down event typically takes place between midnight and 8am.
SunSmart Behaviouraround the Hash House Site
Rogaine participants and volunteers will spend several hours around the Hash House (HH) site (administration area)before, during and after an event. Where possible rogaine organisers shouldimprove sun safety around the HH as follows:
- Select a HH site which offers natural shade from tree cover and/or existing structures. Seek permission from the owners of buildings at the HH site for volunteers or event participants to use interior spaces.
- Erect tents, tarps, and/or marquees to provide participants and volunteers at the HH site with shade.
- Encourage participants to bring their own portable shade structures
- Encourage participants and volunteers to make use of the available shade.
- Provide a sunscreen dispenser for participants and volunteers to use at the event administration table.
- Make sunscreen available for sale at the event administration table, for participants to carry with them on the course. QRA will subsidise the cost of sunscreen.
- Event officials should act as role models for participants by wearing appropriate sun-protective clothing.
- QRA will support procurement of logo-branded SunSmart clothing such as broad-brimmed hats. Hats will be provided free to volunteers, and will be made available for sale to participants at the event administration table.
- Display SunSmart brochures at the event administration table.
- Remind participants of the need for sun protection during the novice briefing and final briefing. The briefing should include the peak UVR period (10am - 3pm), and a reminder that UVR exposure can be high even on cool and cloudy days. UVR is still dangerous outside of this period, for example during the early morning period of an upside-down event, when participants may forget to carry sunscreen and a hat.
- For paddle events, the briefing should remind participants that UVR can bounce off reflective surfaces such as water, which increases the need for sun protection during these events.
SunSmart Behaviour on the Rogaine Course
QRA expects that participants and volunteers will take responsibility for their own health and safety by being SunSmart.
Participants and volunteers will be encouraged to protect themselves from the sun whenever they are on the course, whether they are course setting, participating in the event, or collecting controls after the event. SunSmart protection should include
- Loose fitting, lightweight collared shirt with long sleeves
- Long pants
- Broad-brimmed hat, or a cap with legionnaires flap to protect the neck
- SPF 30+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, to becarried on the course and reapplied regularly during the event.
- High UV protection rating sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1067:2003)
Participants and volunteers will be encouraged to seek shade when resting on the course.
Participants and volunteers will be reminded of appropriate SunSmartprotection in appropriate forums such as
- Event final instructions (‘what to bring’ list)
- Novice briefing
- Final briefing
In particular, the regular Training Days will be used to provide participants with recommendations on rogaine clothing and equipment.
Updating this document
This document should be reviewed from time to time by the sitting QRA committee and revised if necessary.
Acknowledgements
This document includes significant contributions from the Cancer Council Queensland’s SunSmart Policy Guidelines. Thank-you tothe Cancer Council Queensland for allowing us to use this content.
References
- The Cancer Council Queensland
13 11 20 – The Cancer Council Helpline
______
Queensland Rogaine Association Inc.PO Box 912 Spring Hill Qld 4004
Rogaining - the sport of long-distance cross-country navigation
Supported by: / /