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Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010
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andymak  
#1 Posted : 23 April 2010 13:02:47(UTC)
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Hi again all, it's been a while since I was on here.

How are people gearing up for these new regulations? Time is short between now and the 27th when they come into force, and guidance is in my opinion not that helpful.

So far I have assessed our laser, portable projectors, ceiling mounted projectors, and photo copiers. The firm has issued guidance on the use of task lamps, but I now have to get my head around office lighting.....

How are others doing?
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ahoskins  
#2 Posted : 23 April 2010 13:24:00(UTC)
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ahoskins
Why would you?

The Regulations apply to light sources "which could expose any of its employees to levels of artificial optical radiation that could create a reasonably foreseeable risk of adverse health
effects to the eyes or skin of the employee"

Doesnt sound like office lighting to me... :-)

Alan
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jay  
#3 Posted : 23 April 2010 13:28:57(UTC)
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jay
There is a non-binding guide to the directive at:-
http://www.hse.gov.uk/ra...onionising/aor-guide.pdf


Most of the commonly used items are either "sources only likely to produce insignificant exposures, which can be considered 'safe' " or "sources not likely to present a health risk under specific circumstances"
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andymak  
#4 Posted : 23 April 2010 14:00:29(UTC)
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Thanks Jay, this guidance is where the problem arises for me.

Our office lighting does not have diffusers it has reflectors as do most modern workplaces. Reading the guidance and using their method of measurement and calculation on a random sample all of our lighting is over what they indicate as being the safe levels.

See section D1.5, their example is based on 4x18watt we have 2x55watt tubes in ours!

I do get the feeling that the H&S community have missed this one sneaking in under the wire, or am I just reading more into it than I need to..... (I have auditors on my back about this!)
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jay  
#5 Posted : 23 April 2010 14:41:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jay
The higher wattage of old lamps does not necessarily mean more "irradiance".

Even then the examples are based on an assumption that "spectral irradiance data will be measured at a distance of 100 cm from the lamp, looking directly at it".

We do not look directly at lamps in most cases.

I will document my "simple" risk assessment, but I am not going to loose sleep over the "sources only likely to produce insignificant exposures, which can be considered 'safe' " or "sources not likely to present a health risk under specific circumstances".
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jay  
#6 Posted : 23 April 2010 14:59:50(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jay
It appears that the HSE is yet to publish its short guide to the regulations that was in the draft form in the consultation ducument as Annex B.

Please refer to Annex B titled "Intense Light at Work Guidance for employers on the proposed Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010"-pages 12 to 19 at -
http://consultations.hse...294085.1/pdf/-/cd227.pdf

The above guide states that "more intense sources could be a problem if they are stared at for long periods or if they are in very close proximity to workers. It is our natural instinct to look away from these before harm can occur and in addition, they are often used at a safe distance from workers. These measures continue to be acceptable and no special conditions are required. Examples include:Ceiling-mounted fluorescent lighting without diffusers over the bulb"
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Yossarian  
#7 Posted : 23 April 2010 15:17:35(UTC)
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Yossarian
jay wrote:
The above guide states that "more intense sources could be a problem if they are stared at for long periods


Hardly a blinding insight!
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andymak  
#8 Posted : 29 April 2010 10:17:58(UTC)
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Guest
jay wrote:
It appears that the HSE is yet to publish its short guide to the regulations that was in the draft form in the consultation ducument as Annex B.

Please refer to Annex B titled "Intense Light at Work Guidance for employers on the proposed Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010"-pages 12 to 19 at -
http://consultations.hse...294085.1/pdf/-/cd227.pdf


Many thanks for the link Jay, that has made things clearer, I can relax as we have everything covered already with stringent controls.
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jay  
#9 Posted : 30 April 2010 08:21:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jay
The "official/final HSE guidance" is at:-

http://www.hse.gov.uk/ra...nising/employers-aor.pdf
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andymak  
#10 Posted : 01 May 2010 17:46:25(UTC)
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Guest
Many thanks Jay.
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