Risk from artificial optical radiation

‘AOR’ means any electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 100 nm and 1 mm (UV, visible and infrared radiation), be it coherent, e.g. produced by the process of controlled stimulated emission, such as laser radiation, or non-coherent, i.e. any optical radiation other than the above.

Legislative Decree 81/08 sets out limits of exposure, preventive and protective measures, and health surveillance instructions.

Exposure is possible in physics laboratories and in chemical and biological applications, in certain field work and in veterinary applications.

A careful risk assessment based on the analysis of the equipment, environment and working methods is the first and most important preventive and protective measure.

Technical and organisational preventive and protective measures include the following:

• Other working methods or equipment that entail less exposure to optical radiation;
• Technical measures to reduce the emission of optical radiation (e.g. interlocks and shielding);
•  Appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, workplaces and workstations;
• Design and layout of workplaces and workstations;
• Limitation of the duration and level of the exposure;
• Personal protective equipment.