Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010

Risk Manager John Neil from business insurance brokers Alan Boswell Group looks at the new regulations for the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation.

The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work regulations were introduced on 27th April 2010 and will bring into law in Great Britain the European Physical Agents (Artificial Optical Radiation) Directive. The Regulations will ensure that employers using hazardous sources of light review their approach to ensure proper control of the risks.

A small number of intense sources of light at work can damage your eyes and skin and need to be managed properly. These Regulations will complement the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to ensure that all workers at risk are protected.

So what if anything will businesses need to do differently because of these 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 and risk assessments are suitable and sufficient.

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 and plasma cutting – mainly eye damage
• Pharmaceutical and research - UV fluorescence and sterilisation systems – mainly skin burn
• Hot industries – furnaces – eye and skin damage
• Printing – UV curing of inks – mainly skin burn
• Motor vehicle repairs – UV curing of paints - mainly skin burn
• Medical and cosmetic treatments – laser surgery, blue light and UV therapies – eye and skin damage
• Research and education - all use of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers – potentially permanent eye and skin damage
• Less common hazardous sources can be associated with specialist activities such as companies manufacturing or repairing equipment containing lasers which would otherwise be hidden.

Possible solutions to any problem are:

• Use an alternative, safer light source which can achieve the same result
• Prevent access of the light source to the skin and eyes of workers by engineering controls
• Organise work to reduce exposure of workers and others
• Issue appropriate personal protective equipment

As stated a majority of employers already manage these risks correctly and are not expected to undertake unnecessary additional risk assessments. The same applies if their business has only safe sources.

For more information on risk analysis and for expert business insurance advice, speak to Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers on 01603 218000, or visit our web site – http://www.alanboswell.com/business-insurance/risk-management-services.aspx