Solar UVR protection: Local regulation of shade in new and existing policies

February 1, 2019

Learn how local governments can reduce exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) by incorporating shade in new and existing local, council and organizational-level policies

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

Shade in new and existing 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

Incorporate shade into other new and existing policies²

Degree of policy adoption*

LOW

Current action(s) in Canada

No municipal/regional council/organizational policies incorporating shade were found within the 31 municipalities in the Directory**. The City of Hamilton has a UVR guideline for municipal workers that encourages employees to seek shade during breaks, among other recommendations to provide protection from solar UVR (scheduling work hours, protective equipment, sunscreen use etc.) but it is not mandated by policy. (For more information on municipalities that have adopted guidance documentation for protection from solar UVR, please see Solar UVR guidelines at the local level).

* 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.

** Prevention Policies Directory captures information for 31 Canadian municipalities (18 largest municipalities in Canada, and at least 1-2 largest municipalities in all other provinces/territories). 

References

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

² SunSmart Victoria. (2015). Policy Statements and Actions. Retrieved from: https://www.sunsmart.com.au/downloads/shade/suggested-policy-statements.pdf

³ 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