OHSA launches consultation draft on minimum H&S requirements on radiation
The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has launched for consultation, draft regulations concerning the Minimum Health and Safety Requirements for the Protection of Workers from Risks resulting from Exposure to Artificial Optical Radiation. These regulations shall transpose the Physical Agents (Artificial Optical Radiation) Directive 2006/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. The deadline for this transposition is April 27, 2010.
These regulations are intended to lay down the minimum requirements to protect workers from exposure to artificial sources of optical radiation (AOR) to the eyes and skin during their work, and includes ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation and lasers. These regulations do not apply to exposure to the sun which is a source of natural optical radiation.
The majority of light sources used in the workplace are safe but there are a small number of intense sources of light that can cause damage to the eyes and skin. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that workers are suitably protected. Not all sources of AOR are dangerous, for example sources that are considered to be safe include ceiling mounted lighting, photocopiers, photographic flash lamps, computer display screens and vehicle indicator, brake and reversing lights. Examples of sources of AOR that can cause damage to the eyes and skin if the exposure limit values are exceeded are lasers, furnaces, welding, tanning machines and other uses of UV light.
The regulations include schedules giving the occupational exposure limit values for non-coherent AOR (any optical radiation other than laser radiation) and for laser radiation.
Any person or entity who wishes to make any comments on the proposed regulations is invited to do so by contacting the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, 17 Edgar Ferro Street, Pieta’ PTA 1533 or by email at [email protected]
A copy of the legislation together with the proposed prescribed rules can be downloaded from the OHSA’s website: www.ohsa.org.mt. The deadline for submission of comments is 12th February 2010.
