Sunscreen

Workplace sunscreen and sun protection

Australia has the highest skin-cancer rate in the world, and outdoor workers — construction, civil, agriculture, forestry, emergency services, utilities — accumulate cumulative UV exposure well above the general population. Under WHS law and Cancer Council workplace guidance, employers must provide sun-protection equipment (SPF 50+ sunscreen, wide-brim hats, UPF-rated long sleeves, and UV-rated eyewear) and encourage its routine use. Sunscreen is a control measure alongside shade, clothing, and work-rest cycles — not a substitute for any of them.

SPF 50+ and broad spectrum

Australian workplace sunscreens should meet two specifications:

• SPF 50+ — the highest rating available under AS/NZS 2604. Provides approximately 98% UVB protection when applied at the standard test rate (2 mg/cm²). Lower SPFs (30, 15) are not appropriate for all-day outdoor work.
• Broad-spectrum — protects against both UVA (causes ageing and deep skin damage) and UVB (causes sunburn and most skin cancers). Marked "broad spectrum" on the tube under AS/NZS 2604.

Water-resistant (4-hour) formulations are preferred for sweating workers — the SPF rating drops rapidly on plain sunscreens once the skin is wet.

Application — the under-applied factor

The laboratory SPF rating is measured at 2 mg/cm² — a heavy coat equating to roughly a teaspoon for face/neck, and a shot-glass quantity for the full body. Most workers apply 25–50% of that, which drops real-world SPF 50 to SPF 10–20 — meaningful but well below the label claim. Reapply every 2 hours of sun exposure (more often if sweating, wetting, or wiping) regardless of the water-resistance claim.

Delivery formats

• Tubes and bottles — standard issue. 50 g, 100 g, 200 g, and 500 g bottle formats.
• Pump packs — wall-mountable or benchtop dispensers for crib rooms, site-office entries, and workshop doorways.
• Sachet packs — single-use 5–10 mL sachets for vehicle glove-boxes and personal issue.
• Spray bottles — fast application for remote or cold-weather work where workers won't sit still for a rub-on.
• Zinc sticks — high-visibility zinc-based sticks for nose, ears, and back-of-neck touch-ups.

Sun-protection accessories

Sunscreen is one control; the Cancer Council "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide" sequence covers the others:

• Slip — UPF 50+ long sleeves and trousers (most workwear provides some UPF; specific UV-rated workwear provides higher).
• Slop — SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen.
• Slap — wide-brim sun hats, legionnaire-style hats, or helmet brim attachments (see sun hats range).
• Seek — shade during peak UV hours (typically 10 AM–3 PM AEDT in summer).
• Slide — close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses (AS/NZS 1067 rated). Safety eyewear with UV rating is in the eye protection range.

Sun-protection accessories including neck gaiters, face shields, UPF sleeves, and sunscreen dispensers are in the sun protection accessories subcategory.

Storage and shelf life

Sunscreen has a stated expiry — typically 24–36 months from manufacture. Check the expiry on every bottle; expired sunscreen loses SPF effectiveness. Heat-stability is the other factor — sunscreens left in hot vehicles for extended periods degrade faster than the label implies. Rotate vehicle-issue stock regularly.

Standards & compliance

Sunscreens in this range are registered with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and comply with AS/NZS 2604 (sunscreen products — evaluation and classification). All products labelled SPF 50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant (4h).

Frequently asked questions

Is SPF 30 enough for outdoor workers?

No — for all-day outdoor exposure, SPF 50+ is the workplace standard. SPF 30 blocks 97% UVB; SPF 50 blocks 98%. The small difference in percentage becomes significant in total cumulative UV dose across a 40-year working life.

How much sunscreen is a single application?

A teaspoon (approx 5 mL) for face + neck + ears; a shot-glass (approx 30 mL) for the full body if wearing shorts and a singlet. A worker wearing full long-sleeve workwear uses less per application but needs to apply to all exposed skin — face, neck, ears, back of hands, and any gap between shirt and hat.

Does sunscreen under hi-vis count?

Only on exposed skin. Hi-vis fabric itself provides some UPF (typically UPF 30–50+ for rated workwear); sunscreen is required on the face, neck, ears, and any other exposed skin regardless of the workwear layer.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts receive 5% off RRP, and workforce sun-protection programs (bulk tubes, pump dispensers, sachet packs) qualify for volume discounts. Apply for a trade account →