Health & Safety Update (May 2010)
Don't see the light!
New regulations to protect workers from the dangers of
artificial light came into force on the 27 April 2010. The Control
of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations meet a European
Union directive to protect workers from harm arising from exposure
to hazardous sources of artificial light. Some such sources,
particularly UV radiation and light from lasers, can harm the eyes
and skin of workers.
These new regulations will not affect all employers. They will
impact on businesses that use hazardous light sources as part of
their work activities. Common sources of light in the workplace –
for example, office lights, photocopiers and computers – will not
be affected by the Regulations.
The key requirement is to ensure that the eyes and skin of workers
are properly protected
- businesses with only safe sources need do nothing
different
- businesses with hazardous sources will need to assure
themselves that workers are protected.
Examples of hazardous sources of very intense light that pose a
'reasonably foreseeable' risk of harming the eyes and skin of
workers and where control measures are needed include:
- metal working – welding (both arc and oxy-fuel) and plasma
cutting – mainly eye damage
- hot industries – furnaces – eye and skin damage
- printing – UV curing of inks – mainly skin burn.
What should businesses already be doing?
Sensible control measures include:
- using an alternative, safer light source which can achieve the
same result
- preventing exposure to the skin and eyes of workers by
engineering controls
- organising work to reduce exposure of workers and others–
restrict access to hazardous areas by non-essential
staff
- issuing appropriate personal protective equipment.
For more information call our Advice Service or your Consultant.
Draft guidance can also be found at www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/nonionising/optical.htm