old crt monitors used to blast out a lot of energy, not sure about new led type but could he not turn it off or move his desk ?
are you sure it is led as these generally run cold to the touch where as plasma can run a lot hotter altho it still doesnt solve the problem of being to close to the tv
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf

quote " Do VDUs give out harmful radiation?

No. VDUs give out both visible light, which enables us to see the screen, and other forms of electromagnetic radiation which can be harmful above certain levels. However, the levels of radiation emitted from VDUs are well below the safe levels set out in international recommendations. So your employer doesn’t have to check radiation levels from your VDU, and you do not need any special devices such as spectacles, screens or aprons when using it." unquote

Bill

Are you sure it is an LED screen? Plasma screens emit some infra-red and, if the colleague is close enough to such a screen, this could give rise to erythema (skin reddening).

LB

My searches through the dermatological literature I have access to has revealed no evidence that LED type monitor screens have been shown to have this type of effect (but I am still looking). What data are available relate only to CRT type monitors. Given the very low energy of LEDs (particularly when compared with a CRT) I would be very sceptical about a LED monitor causing any form of skin reaction directly and certainly not any form of sunburn.

I suspect that there may be other reasons for the skin reaction, rather than the LED monitor directly. Do not exclude psychosomatic reactions manifesting themselves as a skin condition. This is far more common than many realise and can be combined with other more external conditions

Chris

billb70 - have you been able to rule out side effects of any medication that the individual may be taking - there is also a very common condition called "rosacea" that is very easily treated further to consultation with a medical practitioner.

Also get the person to contact their doctor/your Occie health provider to evaluate the situation and report back to U

From doing a bit of research I have found that the lowest wavelengths that you will likely find in LED's as used in the TV are the high intensity blues @ ~430nm wavelength.

UVA tends to be at wave lengths less than 400nm with UVB be at even lower.

Unless it is malfunctioning with excesive voltage going to certain LED's (even if this is possible?) it would be unlikely for the LED's to be emitting the wavelength light required to generate a sunburn type effect.

It dosnt sound like their symptoms are typical of Photodermatitis or Solar urticaria (more blotchy / rash) and due to the facts above on wavelength this is unlikely, however...

It could possibly be initial stages of Chronic actinic dermatitis (however this is mostly common in individuals - men - aged over 50) as this can affect individuals even in visible wavelengths. However you would expect the individual to be aware of this illness from effects during the summer months and the symptoms are generally a lot worse than just redenning of the facial tissue.

Dermatology By Otto Braun-Falco has some quite graphic pictures that are probably going to give me nightmares tonight.

Conclusion? turn the TV off, move the individual, dont look too deeply on the internet, you will probably traumatise yourself (like I did)

:-)

Des

As it's Friday

@Des - At least if you need some time off for your traumatic experience we have established that it is not RIDDOR reportable :)

Hi
Many thanks to all those who replied with a range of very helpful solutions. This is one of the reasons why I joined IOSH !

I ams till working through the issue and the monitor has been switched off temporarily until some idea of where the issue lies, the employee has been referred to our inhouse OH service and the employee was advised to tell their GP about the issue. I am lucky that I have inhouse expertise on radiation with our D.I.M officers who have the equipment and training to determin any levels of radation coming from the monitor. However, I have to say that there is very little out there in relation to LED radiation issues and compared to CRT, Plasma and LCD emissions from LEDs are very small. The manufaturer Samsung, through its agents have advised that they have no history of anything of this nature. Theerfore awaiting further input regarding the employee themselves.