On April 26, 2010 enter into force definitively the requirement for risk assessment in the workplace
| Information on the implications for companies resulting from the entry into force of Title VIII, Chapter V (Articles 213 to 220) of Legislative Decree no. 81/2010 |  |
General
and entered into force on 26 April 2010 will enter into force the requirement for companies to assess the risks from exposure to radiation artificial optical workers, with particular attention to the risks due to adverse effects on the eyes and skin.
- , acting under of EU Directive 2006/25/EC, the Legislative Decree n. 81/2008, Title VIII, Chapter V (Articles 213 to 220), introduces measures to protect workers from risks related to exposure to artificial optical radiation (in particular the risks associated with adverse effects on the eyes and skin), which the employer company, which, as of April 26, 2010, will provide for the obligation to:
- Identify possible sources of risk
- Evaluate and, if necessary, calculate or measure the levels of optical radiation which workers are exposed (as required by Annex XXXVII)
- Consider any workers at particularly sensitive o sensibilizzati
- Tenere conto dell'esistenza di attrezzature di lavoro alternative progettate per ridurre i valori di esposizione
- Risanare, se necessario, gli ambienti di lavoro e individuare eventuali metodi di riduzione dell'esposizione
- Provvedere ad attività di informazione e formazione dei lavoratori
- Proteggere i lavoratori mediante idonei Dispositivi di Protezione Individuale (occhiali, schermi, indumenti, ecc.)
- Avviare la sorveglianza sanitaria dei lavoratori esposti
COSA SONO LE RADIAZIONI OTTICHE ARTIFICIALI ("ROA")
Le radiazioni ottiche artificiali ("ROA") sono tutte le radiazioni elettromagnetiche nella range of wavelengths between 100 nm and 1 mm.
The spectrum of optical radiation is divided into ultraviolet (those with wavelengths between 100 and 400 nm), visible radiation (those with wavelengths between 380 and 780 nm) and infrared radiation (those with length wavelength range between 780 nm and 1 mm):
also belong to optical radiation of laser radiation, or those produced by laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation), characterized by a single wavelength 'wave, high energy density beam highly directional.
Health Effects
The main risks to humans resulting from excessive exposure to optical radiation mainly concerned with two target organs, the 'eye in all its parts (cornea, lens and retina) and the skin .
How to ionizing radiation, or damage to these organs may have a definite cause-effect, ie it is possible to estimate a threshold dose for the damage it occurs ( deterministic effect), or may not be a correlation between cause and effect ( stochastic effect).
Not all wavelengths belonging to optical radiation, also have the same effect on eye and skin:
| optical radiation | RISKS / Pathology / Ocular side effects | RISK / pathology / EFFECTS ON SKIN |
| ULTRAVIOLET |
|
|
| VISIBLE |
|
|
| INFRARED |
|
|
If the light source is represented by a laser, the above mentioned effects are, in most cases, amplified and often irreversible.
This is due to the characteristics of a laser beam that has: also why people often speak of indirect risks from lasers, such as fires and explosions.
- A separate merit sources (laser or otherwise) blue light (380-550 nm) and those of IRA (infrared "A"). Both of these wavelengths are focused by the eye, and therefore contribute to the dose absorbed by the retina:
- blue light is often underestimated, as it belongs to the spectrum of visible light and then, mistakenly, considered "safe"
- the IRA sources, however, even going so far as the retina, are "invisible" and therefore, in the presence of their strong intensity, not the least hampered by those mechanisms instinctive reflex as the eyelid or ordering the expulsion.
incidence of occupational accidents and diseases
It 's very difficult to get reliable estimates on the incidence of occupational accidents and occupational diseases due to exposure to artificial optical radiation. This
in relation to two main reasons: the first is that, apart from some exceptions ( erythema or burns ), the effects are not immediately apparent, and the second is that every day each of us is exposed to light, both artificial and solar, in doses and in a manner difficult to quantify (direct or scattered light) vary widely.
However, diseases such as skin cancers, including melanoma, are now recognized by all heavily dependent on exposure to ultraviolet light radiation.
In the case of laser, however, the lesions occur much more quickly and that is why, in their use, the staff has traditionally been more cautious (and usually even more size) and accidents less likely.
What are the possible sources of optical radiation in the holdings?
sources of optical radiation present in the workplace are numerous.
The following table indicates a non-exhaustive list of the main campi di applicazione:
| RADIAZIONE OTTICA ARTIFICIALE | SORGENTI "INCOERENTI" | SORGENTI "COERENTI" (LASER) |
| ULTRAVIOLETTO |
| |
| VISIBILE |
| |
| INFRARED |
|
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The risk assessment
As previously indicated, the employer must make an assessment of risks from exposure to optical radiation artificial.
This assessment must be based on successive levels of detail and quantification / estimation:
- identification of possible sources of risk: master data and technical requirements of the equipment used (supplied by the manufacturer);
- assessment of how exhibition: in particular, must identify the types of sources, how to use and the places where they are operating, acquiring, layout and / or plans where the springs are installed. In order to evaluate the actual risk exposure of workers is also essential to acquire the times, distances and mode of exposure to sources are not consistent, while for the laser is also important to monitor any signs of reflection;
- instrumental measurements of: if no data is available from the manufacturer or not there are specific references to technical standards recognized, it is necessary to perform measurements equipment as recommended by specific technical rules of literature;
- comparison with limit values: the achievements of the previous stages (from data producers, data from literature, from instrumental measurements) should be compared with threshold values \u200b\u200bof the 'Annex XXXVII of LD. 81/2008 possible to determine the passing or rejection of those values.
The first level of assessment indicated may be defined as the ' preliminary analysis "in which the employer decides whether or not the risks.
If the risk is essentially negligible, the risk assessment document the Employer may include a "justification" for which, given the nature and extent of risks arising from exposure to optical radiation, not 'been require a more detailed risk assessment.
The second level of assessment indicated may be defined as the "estimation of " which assess levels of instrumental and methodological optical radiation to which workers are exposed.
- The second level of risk assessment must still be made in the following cases (not exhaustive):
- laser in category 3 and 4;
- electric arc welding (MIG, MAG, TIG, MMA, etc.. )
- use of plasma cutting and welding;
- germicidal lamps, LED phototherapy systems
- ;
- tanning lamps, metal halide lamps
- ;
- incandescent (metal or liquid glass);
- appliances with IPL sources for medical or aesthetic.
