Solar UVR protection: Local sun safety policies in child care settings

February 1, 2019

Learn how local governments can reduce exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in child care settings

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

Local sun safety policies in child care settings

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

Adopt sun safety policies within child care settings²

• Provide ultraviolet protection control measures in line with best practice (e.g., protective clothing (hats, sunglasses, other), use of sunscreen, modelling by teachers, shade, scheduling of recess, education and enforcement) ^2,4

Degree of policy adoption*

LOW

Current action(s) in Canada

Toronto’s Policy for the Provision of Shade at Parks, Forestry and Recreation Sites is the only local shade policy that specifically commits to providing shade protection at child care and recreation centres, programs and camps. No other municipality** has a policy requiring shade or other solar UVR protection measures within child care centres.

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

⁴Department of Health (Victoria, Australia). (2019). Shade Grants Program. Retrieved from: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/preventive-health/skin-cancer-prevention