POLICIES
1. Protection of Outdoor Workers from UV Radiation
2. Guidelines for Research Funding
3. Honorary Life Membership Guidelines

1. Protection of Outdoor Workers from UV Radiation - April 2000 (vic)

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Skin cancer is by far the most prevalent form of cancer in Australia and our incidence rates are the highest in the world. Two out of every three Australians will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. In Victoria, skin cancer accounts for more than half of all cancers diagnosed.

Each year an estimated 31,000 new cases of skin cancer are treated in Victoria and the overall cost of the management of skin cancer has been estimated to approach $100 million per year.

Outdoor workers may have up to a 60% higher risk of developing a non-melanocytic skin cancer than people that work indoors.

The Turfgrass Association of Australia (Victoria) has an obligation to provide its members with the information to provide a healthy and safe work environment. This obligation includes providing information and education to ensure adequate protection from the hazards that the Turfgrass Association of Australia

(Victoria) members may be subject to when working in an outdoor environment. Solar ultraviolet radiation is one such hazard.

2.0 DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS

"Ultraviolet radiation (UV)" is a component of the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) spectrum emitted by the sun. It is composed of wavelengths from 200 - 400nm.

"Outdoor worker" is any employee who in the course of their duties is required to work outdoors.

"Sunscreen" is any SPF (sun protection factor) rated chemical product designed for the process of skin protection.

"Eye protection" is any screen or glasses type device which meets Australian Standard AS1067 specific purpose type (b), and AS1337 if necessary.

"Sun protective clothing" is any clothing that provides entire covering of the upper and lower body including limbs and whose fabric complies with AS/ANZ 4399:1996.

"UPF" means Ultraviolet Protection Factor.

"PPE" means Personal Protective Equipment.

3.0 UV CONTROLS

Control measures will be implemented at a work site according to the conditions and work involved. The risk posed by UV at the site should be assessed. The Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria's UV Risk Assessment provides a suitable method of assessing UV risk.

3.1 Engineering Controls

Shelter from direct sunlight by providing shade will be encouraged where possible to minimise exposure to UV. Natural shade from existing trees, buildings and other structures will be promoted and where practical portable shade structures will be provided.

1 Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria (March 1995), Canstat, No20:2 2 McCarthy W and Shaw H (1989) Skin cancer in Australia Med J Aust 1989:150; 469-70 3 Thompson SC, Jolley D and Marks R (1993) Reduction of Solar Keratoses by Regular Sunscreen Use New Eng J Med Vol 329:16

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2. Guidelines for Research Funding - (vic)

The funding of research projects and trials is an integral part of the Aims and Objectives of the TGAA. There are several base criteria that need to be met before a trial or project is deemed suitable for the TGAA to provide funds. These are:

The trial or project
·      • must benefit the majority of TGAA members
·      • needs to have universal applications
·      • should be of a unique nature

The respective candidate must provide the Education/Research sub-committee with a full Trial proposal, which will contain the following:

1. A short trial summary
2. Trial aim
3. A list of the benefits to turf managers and the membership of the TGAA
4. A literature review (shortened)
5. The trial protocol, including:
·      • Method (size, number of replications and any application method used).
·      • How the trial will be assessed
·      • Length of trial
·      • Trial supervisor (if applicable)
6. A full list of trial costs and verification of costings, including quotes for materials.

The Education/Research sub-committee will judge the trial on the merit and suitability of the trial in regards to the membership. The candidate must show adequate research to prove that, to their knowledge, the trial has not been performed elsewhere.

The following criteria need to be met before a candidate is deemed suitable for the receipt of funding:

1. Applications for research funding by the TGAA can be made by any member of the committee and/or the
   general membership. The applicant or mentor must have been a member for at least three (3) consecutive
   years to be eligible for TGAA funds.

2. Applications must be made in writing on an official TGAA Research Funding form.

3. A candidate for funding must receive unanimous support at the sub-committee level before the proposal
   is brought up before the Committee. All of the above criteria must be answered. If the proposal fails to
   address the criteria the application will be rejected. A rejection letter shall be written by the Chairman of
   the Education/ Research sub-committee outlining the proposals short-comings.

4. To be accepted as a candidate for funding, the nominee must receive a two-thirds majority of the vote at
   Committee level.

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3. Honorary Life Membership Guidelines - (vic)

The award of Honorary Life Member is the highest honour the TGAA can bestow on an individual, and as such, should only be awarded in exceptional circumstances.

To be regarded as a nominee for TGAA Honorary Life Membership, the prospective nominee/s should exhibit many of the following criteria:

• be well respected as a member of the Association
• performed exceptional services within the Association
• shown and maintained interest in the Association and its' activities and endeavours
• maintained an active role in the executive, committee, sub-committees or membership of
• promoted the Association to industry members

The following criteria need to be met, before a candidate is deemed suitable for Honorary Life Membership of the TGAA:

1. Nominations for Honorary Life Membership of the TGAA can be made by the committee and/or the
    general membership.
2 .Nominations must be made in writing on an official TGAA Honorary Life Membership form. The
    nomination must be proposed and seconded by financial members of the Association
3. To be accepted as an Honorary Life Member of the TGAA, the nominee must receive a two-thirds
   majority of the vote at committee level. The privacy of nominees will be respected and a secret ballot held
   to vote on prospective Honorary Life Members. Votes will be counted by the Secretary, and verified by the
   Treasurer.
4.Honorary Life Membership of the TGAA should only be awarded when a candidate is deemed suitable to
   be bestowed the honour. Honorary Life Membership can be awarded sporadically by general committee
   vote when suitable candidates are offered.
5. In situations when there are more than one nominee, nominees deemed unsuitable for selection are not
   precluded from future nominations. However, individuals must again be nominated as set out in point 2

The Committee of the TGAA has the right to withhold Honorary Life Membership if unsuitable candidates are proffered, and no correspondence on the matter will be entered into.

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