The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 came into force on 27th April 2010, with the aim of protecting workers from the risks to health associated with hazardous sources of artificial optical radiation (AOR).
Examples of hazardous sources of light that present a ‘reasonably foreseeable’ risk of harming the eyes and skin of workers (and, hence, where control measures are needed) include:
- 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
- Any Risk Group 3 lamp or lamp system (including LEDs)
As with all modern health and safety legislation, the centrasl tenant of these new regulations is risk assessment. A simple construction for welding is considered below:
| Industry | Activity | Type of (potential) harm | Typical Control measures to be used |
| Metal Working Industry |
Welding (arc and oxyfuel) Plasma cutting |
Damage to eyes – photokeratitis and photoconjuctivitis (‘arc eye’), photochemical damage to the retina (blue light hazard) Damage to skin – UV burn (erythema) |
Provide face shields, coveralls and gloves Protect others using screens/curtains/restricted access Provide information and training Display appropriate warning signs Monitor and enforce use of control measures If any workers are over-exposed, provide medical examination and consider whether follow-up health surveillance is appropriate |