The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 brought into UK law the Artificial Optical Radiation 2006/25/EC Directive. This imposes legal duties on employers to protect workers who may be at risk from artificial UV light exposure.
Typically, UV light exposure risks can occur with curing of UV paints, adhesives and coatings; drying of UV printing inks; fluorescent inspection applications; UV light disinfection for killing bacteria and viruses and the unintended by-product of metal fabrication such as welding and plasma cutting.
Employee UV light exposure levels are a function of the UV light spectral output of the equipment, the UV light irradiance level (i.e. the distance of employees from the light source) and exposure time. By taking measurements for each piece of equipment in its particular application, the maximum permissible personal exposure time can be calculated. It has to be borne in mind that exposure is cumulative and limits cannot be exceeded within an eight hour period per day.
In the case of welding, for example, the effects are not only on the operator, who will undoubtedly have personal protective equipment, but also employees in the vicinity. Employees walking by a welding station up to several metres away can exceed in seconds the legal level of personal UV light exposure.
UV Light Technology MD Paul Jackson explains: "The key difficulties for most companies are understanding which exposure limit is applicable for the eyes, assessing correctly the levels of exposure and, therefore, the risks. This is why we offer one day training courses designed specifically to help employers meet their legal obligations for a safe workplace and working environment. We run similar courses for employees to raise their levels of hazard awareness.”
UV Light Technology has published a technical guide 'Safety First with UV Light – a practical guide to risk assessment and control of personal UV light exposure from non-coherent artificial sources in the workplace’ which can be downloaded at:
www.uv-light.co.uk
0121 423 2000sales@uv-light.co.uk
