Sunscreen for Outdoor Workers: What to Look For

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It's 6:45 am on a concrete pour and the UV index is already climbing. By smoko it'll be extreme.

That gap between knowing you should wear sunscreen and putting it on is where most workplace sun protection falls apart. The product needs to fit the job, not the other way around. Here's what to look for when you're choosing sunscreen for a crew that works outside all day.

What matters in a workplace sunscreen

Being chemist-operated means we spend a lot of time evaluating how sunscreens perform. For outdoor work, there are a few things that matter more than brand or price point.

  • SPF 50+ broad spectrum

    This is the baseline. SPF 50+ is the highest rating available in Australia under TGA regulations, and broad spectrum means it helps protect against both UVA and UVB.

  • Water resistance rating

    matters even if nobody's swimming. Sweat counts. A 2-4 hour water resistance rating gives you a longer working window before the formula starts to lose its efficacy.

  • Texture and feel

    determine whether people actually use it. A sunscreen that leaves hands slippery is a genuine safety issue on scaffolding, rebar, or any grip-sensitive work. Look for a non-greasy formula that sinks in and doesn't leave a film.

  • Eye sting

    is the silent dealbreaker. Workers sweating through a shift will get sunscreen in their eyes eventually. A low-irritant formula makes the difference between a crew that reapplies and a crew that quietly stops bothering.

How much you put on matters

SPF ratings are tested at a dose of 2 mg per square centimetre of skin. That's more than most people use. For a face and neck, it's roughly a full teaspoon. For exposed arms, another teaspoon each. If you halve the amount, you don't halve the protection. It drops off sharply. A thin smear of SPF 50+ can perform closer to SPF 10 in practice. The product only does its job at the tested dose, so the message to crews is simple: use more than you think you need.

How often to reapply on a work site

Every two hours, minimum. The filters degrade with UV exposure, and sweat accelerates it. Make it a habit:

  • Reapply at smoko.
  • Reapply at lunch.
  • Reapply at the afternoon break.

If the crew is sweating heavily, doing physical work in direct sun, or towelling off regularly, that two-hour window shortens. On extreme UV days, reapplication every 80 to 90 minutes is more realistic. Keep sunscreen accessible. If it's locked in the site office or buried in someone's ute, it won't get used. A pump bottle at the smoko station or sign-on point removes one more excuse.

WHS obligations for employers

Employers have a duty under work health and safety legislation to manage UV exposure as a workplace hazard. For outdoor work, that includes providing sun protection measures, and sunscreen is one part of that.

Safe Work Australia's guidance on sun protection outlines what's expected: a combination of shade, scheduling, protective clothing, and sunscreen. Sunscreen on its own isn't enough to satisfy the obligation. It works alongside hats, long sleeves, and adjusted work schedules during peak UV hours.

The practical takeaway for site managers: provide SPF 50+ broad spectrum sunscreen, make it accessible, and build reapplication into the shift rhythm. Document it as part of your sun safety plan. If you're unsure about your specific obligations, check with your state or territory WHS regulator.

Note: this isn't legal advice. For your specific obligations, refer to Safe Work Australia or your relevant state authority.

Sunscreen as a tax deduction

If you work outdoors and buy your own sunscreen for work, it's generally deductible as a work-related expense. Same category as steel-cap boots, safety glasses, and high-vis. Keep your receipts and check the ATO's guidance on protective clothing and equipment deductions for the current rules.

1L pump packs

are the workhorse for site sheds, lunch rooms, and sign-on stations. One pump serves the whole crew. Mount it where people already stop: next to the sign-in sheet, at the smoko table, by the water cooler. The Maxiblock Essential 1L is built for exactly this.

Maxiblock Essential SPF 50+ 100mL tube on a ute at an Australian mining site

100mL tubes

fit in a tool belt, back pocket, or lunch box. They're the personal carry option for workers who are moving between locations or working away from a fixed base.

Maxiblock Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50+ Attached to Climber's Belt

Carabiner clips

let you hang a tube off a belt loop or harness. Small thing, but it means the sunscreen is always within reach.

Maxiblock Outbacker SPF 50+ insect repellent sunscreen held by an outdoor worker in hi-vis

Insect repellent combos

are worth considering for bush, rural, and regional sites where flies and mosquitoes are part of the job. A product like Maxiblock Outbacker means one application instead of juggling two bottles.

What to avoid

  • Aerosol sprays in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. The overspray is a respiratory irritant, and in a confined area the fumes build up fast. If the site uses aerosols, they should only be applied outdoors with adequate ventilation.
  • Anything too greasy for the work. If the sunscreen leaves a slick film, it affects grip on tools, steering wheels, and handrails. That becomes a safety issue. Test before you commit to a bulk order.
  • Products that sting when sweat runs. If workers learn that the sunscreen burns their eyes mid-shift, they'll stop using it. No amount of site inductions will override that experience. Choose a low-irritant formula and let the crew trial it before you roll it out.
Maxiblock Essential SPF 50+ 100mL tube on a concrete rooftop with crane in background

Getting sunscreen for your crew

For personal use, the full Maxiblock range is available online with SPF 50+ broad spectrum options across different formats and sizes.


For bulk supply, site orders, or ongoing procurement, get in touch with PRYME, our workplace distribution partner.

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