The amount of compensation employers are paying out to workers in claims for skin cancer has doubled in less than a decade.
A new report by the Cancer Council in Western Australia about occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation found total payments for skin cancer surged to $4 million in 2008/09 from $2 million in 2001/02.
The payouts were part of $38.4 million worth of compensation handed to 1360 workers for sun-related injury or disease between 2000 and 2009.
Cancer Council Australia's occupational and environmental cancer risk committee chair Terry Slevin said the finding served as a stark reminder to employers that their duty of care extends to protecting workers from the sun and its ultraviolet rays.
"It's now blatantly clear that employers who fail to put measures in place to protect their workers from sun exposure will face greater risks of compensation claims," he said.
"There is now considerable legal precedent recognising claims for skin cancer caused by sun exposure in the workplace and the evidence is that claims will continue to rise."
More than a third of Australian employees are exposed to direct sunlight while at work.
It is estimated that about 200 melanomas - the most deadly form of skin cancer - and 34,000 non melanoma skin cancers develop each year because of workers' exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
One Sydney waterside worker was awarded $60,000 for permanent impairment and $5000 for pain, suffering and costs in 2006 after developing a skin cancer that disfigured his face and body.
The man spent most of his working day outside without any protective clothing or sunscreen.
Mr Slevin said the amounts of money being paid out in compensation now exceeded the amount spent on public education campaigns about the importance of sun protection.
"That highlights the need for greater investment in skin cancer prevention in Australia, where we still have the highest rates in the world," he said.
