SUN SMART POLICY. Ogilvie High School Department of Education

Transcription

1 SUN SMART POLICY Ogilvie High School Department of Education

2 1. Scope (audience and applicability) SUN SMART Policy This SunSmart Plan/Policy has been developed to ensure that all students and workers (ie teachers, staff and volunteers) of Ogilvie High School maintain a healthy UV exposure balance which minimises the risk of skin cancer with appropriate sun protection measures, yet ensures some daily sun exposure for vitamin D requirements. This SunSmart policy provides guidelines to: Ensure all students and staff have some UV exposure for vitamin D. Ensure all students and staff are well protected from too much UV exposure by using a combination of sun protection measures during the daily local sun protection times (issued whenever UV levels are 3 and above). Ensure the outdoor environment is sun safe and provides shade for students and staff. Ensure students are encouraged and supported to develop independent sun protection skills to help them be responsible for their own sun protection. Support duty of care requirements. Support appropriate OHS strategies to minimise UV risk and associated harms for staff and visitors. 2. Purpose The Department of Education has a duty of care to all staff, students and children while they are on educational sites, during educational site hours and while undertaking educational activities. Reasonable steps must therefore be taken to ensure the safety of staff, students and children in relation to exposure to the sun. Over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburn, skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. Inappropriate sun exposure in the first 18 years of life contributes significantly to the lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. Being SunSmart requires a year-long approach. It means using sun protection when the UV is 3 and above (usually Term 4 and Term 1), and allowing safe sun exposure for the absorption of vitamin D (usually Term 2 and Term 3). 3. Definitions Curriculum Educational programs on skin cancer prevention and healthy UV exposure for vitamin D are incorporated into appropriate areas of the school curriculum in all year levels. Uniform/clothing Students are actively encouraged to wear broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hats whenever they are outside. The summer uniform/dress code includes a shirt with at least elbow length sleeves and a collar. Longer style skirts/shorts/pants at least to the knee are also included. Workers are required to wear broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hats (or alternatively use a parasol/umbrella) for all outdoor activities, including yard duty. This document is for Department of Education staff use. Please refer to the online version (TASED-4-????) located on the Department s Intranet to ensure this is the most recent copy (Version 1.0). P a g e 2

3 Parents should also be encouraged to wear broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hats (or alternatively use a parasol/umbrella) when participating in and attending outdoor school activities. The school will support those staff and students who choose to wear sunglasses. A close fitting wrap around style that meets AS 1067 is recommended. Sunscreen Students and staff are actively encouraged to apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen regularly eg. prior to school, before lunch, PE lessons, sport, excursions, etc. Sunscreen is easily available throughout the school for staff and student use. With appropriate consultation, students with naturally very dark skin (skin that rarely or never burns) are not required to wear sunscreen. Sport and Physical Education Students are actively encouraged to wear broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hats for sport and physical education. The school sport uniform/dress code includes shirts with collars, singlets are not to be worn for outdoor sporting events. For outdoor swimming carnivals and events, students should be encouraged to wear a t-shirt or rash vest. Where possible, outdoor activities/events will be scheduled to minimise time in direct sun e.g. earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. The use of indoor and shaded facilities will be considered at other times where possible. Physical Ed teachers will be required to wear a broad brimmed, legionnaire or bucket style hat, and sensible clothing that covers skin, ie at least elbow length sleeves and knee length shorts, or preferably long pants. Camps and Excursions Sun protection is considered in the planning of all camps and excursions. Processes for the planning of outdoor activities and excursions include the provision of shade areas Eg permanent and portable structures, and access to trees etc, Shade The school council/board ensures shade provision is considered in plans for future buildings and grounds. The school council/board ensures shade is available in the school grounds particularly in areas where students congregate for example, lunch areas, canteen, outdoor lesson areas. If this is not possible, the school is working towards increasing and/or maintaining shade (built, portable or natural) in the school grounds. Where shade is otherwise not available, temporary shade structures will be considered for events such as sports carnivals. Students and staff are actively encouraged to use shade when outside, particularly if they are not wearing appropriate hat or clothing. Education s website to ensure this version is the most recent (Version 2.0). P a g e 3

4 Recess and lunch break (optional, but highly recommended) Consider a longer recess and a shorter lunch to reduce student s direct UV exposure during the middle of the day when UV levels peaks this is optional, but highly recommended. Vitamin D When UV Ievels fall below 3, sun protection is not generally required unless near highly reflective surfaces such as snow or outside for extended periods. Occupational Safety and Health As part of OHS UV risk controls and role modelling, all workers are required to use a combination of sun protection measures (sun protective clothing, broad brimmed hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and shade) when outside. Replace text with explanation of any special or technical terms used in the policy statement. [Text should be in Paragraph Style] 4. Policy Statement This policy aims to protect staff, students and children, as far as reasonably practicable, from the dangers of exposure to the sun. This policy also aims to ensure both staff, students and children maintain a healthy UV balance (exposure) all year round. 5. Requirements General awareness and reminders The school actively promotes a positive culture around sun protection. ie Via school newsletters, notice boards, assembly announcements and school website etc Students, staff and volunteers are encouraged to sue clothing, sunscreen, shade and sunglasses at school, Sunscreen is provided to staff, students and volunteers to ensure duty of care for staff, students and volunteers, Advice is provided for darker skinned children through EAL staff, Consideration is given for the management of allergic reactions to sunscreen, parents are encouraged to pack sunscreen to minimise risk, Guidance is provided on maintaining adequate vitamin D levels, Information and education is provided around skin cancer prevention and vitamin D education in HPE classes, A SunSmart Web Widget is available to schools to upload to their website at::: and Timely planning and review of this policy is managed. 6. Risk Management Professional Learning Information about a balanced approach to UV exposure is included in staff training to enable staff to work safely outdoors and encourage them to be positive role models. Information on appropriate UV exposure measures are included in staff manuals. New staff are provided with a copy of this policy as part of their induction. Teaching staff are encouraged to complete Cancer Council s free online professional learning modules at All staff on educational site are to be aware of the risks associated with the sun and sun exposure, along with the strategies to reduce these risks. Education s website to ensure this version is the most recent (Version 2.0). P a g e 4

5 Being guided by the SunSmart UV alert, senior staff will conduct risk assessments and manage accordingly. Educational sites should take reasonable steps to ensure that students and children adhere to the policy. 7. Associated Documents and Materials Include any associated internal or external policies, procedures, guidelines including whole of government documents. The following documents are available from (Search for the Doc ID) Health and Wellbeing Policy Driver (Doc ID: TASED ) Specific Health Issues: Procedures, Information and Contacts (Doc ID: TASED ) Duty of Care for Students on Departmental Educational Sites (Doc ID: TASED ) Legal Issues Handbook (Doc ID: TASED ) Procedures for Planning Off Campus Activities (Doc ID: TASED ) Authorised by: Julie Bird Position of authorising person: Principal Date authorised: Developed by: Leadership Team Date of last review: Date for next review: This document replaces: Sun Smart Policy Education s website to ensure this version is the most recent (Version 2.0). P a g e 5