Variations in solar erythemal ultraviolet occupational exposure due to daylight saving time in Australia

This paper presents the variations in the solar erythemal ultraviolet (UV) exposure during work hours due to daylight saving time in Australia. The differences in the exposures to workers on AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) and AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) are dependent on the meal break times and the morning and afternoon tea break times. There were both increases and decreases in the erythemal UV exposures to the workers. For the shoulder of workers outside between 07:00 and 17:00 who take a meal break out of the sun, the largest decrease provided by switching to AEDT was 118 MED (minimum erythemal dose) over the five month period for the 12:30 to 13:30 AEST break time. In comparison, the maximum increase for the shoulder was 29 MED for the 11:00 to 12:00 AEDT break time. For indoor workers who spend a meal break outdoors, the maximum increase was by 49 MED over the five months on a horizontal plane for the 12:30 to 13:30 AEST break by converting to AEDT. In comparison, for the 11:00 to 12:00 AEST meal break time, the erythemal exposure was decreased by 58 MED by converting to AEDT. The results are also applicable to locations that are west of the coastal cities where the sunrise and sunset times are later.