Optical radiation



The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 (CAORW Regulations) came into force in April 2010. They implement the requirements of a European Union (EU) Directive aimed at protecting workers from hazardous sources of artificial light, such as UV radiation and powerful lasers. These light sources can damage the eyes and skin if not properly managed. The regulations only cover artificial sources of optical radiation and not natural sources, such as the sun.



Common sources of light in workplaces like office lights, photocopiers and computers are not affected by the regulations. However, they apply to organisations using hazardous light sources as part of their work activities. HSE guidance provides examples of safe light sources as well as sources of light that, if used inappropriately, for example, if they are placed extremely close to the eyes or skin, have the potential to cause harm but which are safe under normal conditions of use. It also sets out examples of hazardous sources of light that present a reasonably “foreseeable” risk of harming the eyes and skin of workers and where control measures are needed, as follows:



• metal working — welding (both arc and oxy-fuel) and plasma cutting;



• pharmaceutical and research — UV fluorescence and sterilisation systems;



• hot industries — furnaces;



• printing — UV curing of inks;



• motor vehicle repairs — UV curing of paints and welding;



• medical and cosmetic treatments — laser surgery, blue light and UV therapies;



• intense pulsed light sources (IPLs);



• industry, research and education, for example, all use of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers, as defined in British Standard BS EN 60825-1: 2007; and



• any Risk Group 3 lamp or lamp system (including LEDs), as defined in British Standard BS EN 62471: 2008, for example search lights, professional projections systems.



The guidance advises that less common hazardous sources are associated with specialist activities, for example, lasers exposed during the manufacture or repair of equipment, which would otherwise not be accessible.



The regulations contain minimum standards for the prevention and early diagnosis of damage to the eyes and skin from optical radiation. They set exposure limit values and require employers to carry out risk assessments. The regulations enact worker rights to information, training, consultation and health checks.