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9 March 2005 - HSE Publish RIA on Optical
Radiation Directive
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as a result of an EU
proposal for a Physical Agents (Optical Radiation) Directive, have published an
initial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) explaining the EU Directive, which
was presented to a European Council meeting in July 2004.
A sequence of Physical Agents Directives amending the European
Commission's 1993 original proposal covering, vibration, noise, electromagnetic
fields and optical radiation have taken place. This Directive is the
fourth.
The exposure of workers to risks from optical radiation is the
aim of the proposal, which lays down minimum requirements for health and safety
risks associated with this type of radiation. Optical radiation can
interact with people in varying ways, depending on radiation wavelength and
includes ultraviolet radiation (UV), infrared radiation, visible light and
lasers.
Many sectors would be affected by the proposals, such as the
forestry, agriculture, construction, leisure, horticulture, outdoor maintenance,
entertainments, research, engineering, medicine, manufacturing and
communication.
The proposal, in a bid to protect workers and create
harmonisation between member states requires employers duties to include the
following:
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Assess and control exposure.
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Reduce risk.
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Provide information and training to workers.
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Make provisions with regard to health surveillance.
Optical radiation types requiring separate consideration are
solar exposure, lasers and broadband, which the proposal takes into account.
The HSE's RIA can be accessed by clicking the following:
Initial Regulatory Impact Assessment
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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