New legislation for occupational exposure to optical radiation

Regulations were published in 2010, which cover the exposure of workers to artificial optical radiation. The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 implement the European Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from artificial optical radiation (Directive 2006/25/EC).

The full text of the Regulations is available from the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/pdf/uksi_20101140_en.pdf

There is also an accompanying Explanatory Memorandum on the same website at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/em/uksiem_20101140_en.pdf

The full text of the Directive is available from the  European Commission (EC) website at eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32006L0025:EN:NOT.

Key points from the Regulations

• They only apply to artificial optical radiation; for example, the sun is excluded.
• They only apply to the exposure of workers.
• Employers will need to assess the risk to their employees, but if they have already done this under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, then they may not need to do more.
• Exposure limits are based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, which are available at www.icnirp.org/pubOptical.htm.

The HPA was contracted by the EC to produce a draft of the practical guide to the Directive. The report guide is available from the EC website at http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=5926&type=2&furtherPubs=no.

The HPA can assist employers with assessments that may be needed to comply with the requirements of the Regulations. Please contact by emailing laser@hpa.org.uk or see the non-ionising radiation services web pages.

Further information is available on the Health and Safety Executive website at www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/nonionising/optical.htm

Last reviewed: 8 June 2011