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UV-A 'Blacklight' - eye protection required?
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#1 Posted : 15 March 2007 13:40:00(UTC)
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Posted By John Mackessack
I'm having a mental block and forgeting all my science!

We have a cabinet fitted with several 30w 'blacklight' fluorescent strip lights (the type often used in disco lighting or for checking for counterfeit currency).

Occasionally, an employee needs to open the cabinet to visually check that all the lamps are still functioning. This is an activity which takes a minute or so.

Am I correct in believing that UV-A is generally absorbed by the lens of the eye and is therefore relatively harmless?

I have recommended that the operator makes sure that they wear safety glasses (polycarbonate lenses) whilst doing this as a 'belt and braces' measure.

Comments from radiation experts gratefully received!

John

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#2 Posted : 15 March 2007 13:58:00(UTC)
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
Remembering that PPE is the lowest form of control measure, but the first one that everyone puts in place whilst looking for alternative solutions, have you considered changing the cabinet design?

For example on the outside of the cabinet have a row of small LED's, each one connected to a UV tube, when the tube fails the LED either comes on or goes off, thereby eliminating the opening of the unit on a regular basis (only when tube needs replacing).

I have sent you something on eyes by a separate e-mail.
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#3 Posted : 15 March 2007 15:14:00(UTC)
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Posted By John Mackessack
Darren,

Excellent - thanks very much. Yes, you are quite correct regarding PPE but at present this cabinet is at the experimental stage. If and when it is adopted we will look for a more 'engineered' solution.

Thanks again.
John
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#4 Posted : 16 March 2007 10:26:00(UTC)
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Posted By Martin C
If you have something that converts UV to white light it makes a safe UV detector. This would show if the light was working. For example a piece of dark card with the word "Working" written on it with a UV security pen would look blank under normal light but would show the word under UV. This would remove the need for eye exposure. I would take the line that the momentary exposure to the relatively low levels of UV will not harm the skin on hands. The lamp's manufacturers or suppliers should be able to advise on maximum recommended exposure for hands.
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