31 October 2024

This marine guidance note provides guidance on the merchant shipping and fishing vessels (health and safety at work) (artificial optical radiation) regulations 2010.

Artificial optical radiation originates from a very wide range of sources, from normal indoor lighting to flood lights, lights on control panels as well as infra-red and ultraviolet radiation, including that resulting from welding. Risks arising from exposure to harmful levels of artificial optical radiation can range from burns to the eyes or skin, up to retinal damage and even skin cancer.

‘Optical radiation’ is another term for light, and ‘artificial optical radiation’ means sourcesof light other than those which occur naturally (such as sunlight). Artificial optical radiation covers a wide variety of light sources that can produce ultraviolet, visible, infrared and laser forms of radiation. Every worker on a ship, fishing vessel, yacht etc is likely to be exposed to artificial optical radiation in some form on a daily basis, albeit in most cases not normally at a hazardous level. Workers inside a vessel will for example be exposed to lighting in some form, as well as the possibility of exposure from computer screens or other forms of display equipment. Outdoor workers may need to use some form of lighting if undertaking work at times when natural light is poor or non-existent.

The General Duties Regulations require employers to undertake a general assessment of the risks to their workers as a result of the work they are undertaking. The Optical Radiation Regulations 2010 build on this general requirement, by introducing more specific requirements in respect of exposure to artificial optical radiation. Employers’ must undertake risk assessments to establish whether risks could arise as a result of exposure of workers to artificial optical radiation and, if so, who is at risk and from what form of optical radiation.

Where the risk assessment indicates a possibility that the exposure limit values may be exceeded for any worker, the employer should produce and implement an action plan, comprising technical and/or organisational measures, which will prevent exposure exceeding the limit values.

The employer must ensure that any workers who are identified as being at risk as a result of exposure to artificial optical radiation at work, or their elected representatives, are provided with any necessary information and training relating to the findings of the risk assessment.

More details and a link to the full document can be found HERE.

British Marine members can get guidance and advice by contacting the technical team: technical@britishmarine.co.uk