Solarium

At The Float Centre we introduced one of Queensland's first 'Hex' brand upright tanning booths approximately 6 years ago.

We have always been responsible for the information we provide and have adopted the Australian standards as detailed on these pages.

Much has been said about 'tanning' and its inherent dangers. We in no way dispute or enter the argument, other than to acknowledge that 'tanning' is something 'the public' do or want. This said, our clients having been using our service for many years with no complaint or dissatisfaction.

The system and equipment we use are supplied to our centre, and maintained by industry professionals.

We urge you to discover as much information as you deem necessary.  If you decide to use a tanning method and you choose ours, we require that you follow the guidelines created.

HEX
It's the world's premier upright tanning system, designed and built by the most experienced tanning equipment manufacturer in the United States. The best tan comes from being active outdoors - walking, standing and moving. In 1979, International Tanning Equipment put that concept to use by designing the world's first tanning system that lets you stand and move around while tanning. The HEX system lets your body absorb sunlight in a very natural way - just as if you were walking along the water's edge at your favorite beach. We've been leading the way ever since and will continue to do so.

For the first time, solarium use in Australia will be limited to people over the age of 15 under a new Australian Standard.

The Standard, which outlines the requirements for installing, maintaining, and operating solaria for cosmetic purposes, also requires individuals between 15 and 18 to have a parent or guardian sign a consent form before being able to use a sunbed because of the serious health risks.

The Chief Executive of Standards Australia, Mr Ross Wraight, said today: “The publication of the new Standard for solarium use and operation, which was developed by an expert committee representing stakeholders, comes following concerns over effects of exposure to ultraviolet light from solariums.”

“The new Standard on Solaria will provide an opportunity to improve industry practice and, importantly, inform consumers of the risks associated with sunbed use. It also reflects the current understanding of effects of exposure to ultraviolet light and is designed to minimise the risk associated with indoor tanning,” he said.

According to the Standards Committee Chairperson and Chair of the National Skin Cancer Committee for The Cancer Council Australia, Mr Craig Sinclair: “The Cancer Council Australia strongly supports this national Standard on solariums.”

“For too long, people using sunbeds have not had adequate information that explains the risks. A new Australian Standard will provide an industry-wide code of practice to protect consumers,” Mr Sinclair said.

“We are pleased to have been involved in the drafting process of the Solarium Industry Standards. We think that the combined efforts of the solarium industry, public health and consumer experts were worthwhile, and we are satisfied with the new Standard.”

According to the Public Officer of the Australian Solarium Association, Patrick Holly: “We welcome the move because the Standard will be the basis on which the Australian sun tanning industry should work. It was a very necessary process and a good achievement but it is just the beginning of the work in this area and it is likely that the Standard will evolve in the coming year.”

The Standard calls for warning notices to be displayed by the solarium operator giving advice to the effect that:

• exposure to ultraviolet radiation such as from a sun-tanning unit contributes to the skin ageing process and may cause skin cancer;

• people with fair skin and who are unable to tan shall not use a sun-tanning unit;

• protective goggles must be worn at all times while undergoing sun-tanning unit exposure;

• unintentional exposure to sunlight or sun-tanning unit should be avoided for 48 hours after sun-tanning exposure; and

• No person under the age of 18 shall use a sun-tanning unit without parental consent.

The Standard also outlines the general requirements for installing, maintaining and operating solariums commonly used in clubs and gyms.

The Committee considered various issues and evidence, including medical studies establishing that people develop more sensitivity towards sunlight in puberty. It is reasonable to accept that sunbed use may not alleviate this problem since the radiation spectrum of solaria is within the domain of sunlight. The Solarium Committee has proposed an age limit to guard against exposure of this most sensitive age group.

The Standard was prepared by a number of people representing organisations including: the Australasian College of Dermatologists, the Australasian Solarium Association, the Cancer Council Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, the Consumers’ Federation of Australia, the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia and the Sydney Melanoma Unit.

The Standard went through an extensive public consultation phase over the last 12 months, and has been developed through the Standards committee process. The committee process is designed to achieve a balance of representation of all the interested groups. Once consensus is reached, the standard is then finalised. Standards are not mandatory unless made so by legislation or written into a contract.

The Standard is titled, 'AS/NZS 2635:2002 Solaria for cosmetic purposes'. It can be downloaded from website www.standards.com.au or you can call on 1300 65 46 46.

Disclaimer
A disclaimer is a legal statement which generally states that the person/group authoring the disclaimer is not responsible for any mishap in the event of using whatever object or information the disclaimer is attached to. This is generally done as a measure of legal protection; if someone hurts himself misusing something with such a disclaimer, he could not (legally) claim in a court of law that he was unaware of the potential safety risks.