Artificial optical radiation

Sources and effects on health

• Welding and cutting. Welding arcs emit intense ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation, causing photokeratitis (welder’s eye), burns, and cumulative damage, both for the welder and for people nearby.
• Thermal processes. Furnaces, foundries, glass and incandescent metals emit infrared radiation with a risk of cataracts and burns.
• Ultraviolet lamps. Curing of inks, varnishes and adhesives, germicidal disinfection, sterilization, exposure of irons and tanning booths.
• Intense lighting and blue light. Spotlights in theaters, studios, operating rooms, and certain high-intensity LED sources pose a photochemical risk to the retina.
• Lasers. Classes 1 to 4 according to their hazard; those of class 3B and 4 can cause serious eye and skin injuries, including from reflection, and fire hazards.
• Other sources. Photocopiers, intense pulsed light equipment for aesthetics, phototherapy, and inspection equipment.

Obligations of Royal Decree 486/2010

The employer must assess and, if necessary, measure or calculate the levels of optical radiation to which people are exposed, using methods that comply with applicable technical standards. This assessment must take into account the level, wavelength, and duration of exposure, the exposure limits, the effects on particularly sensitive individuals, the potential effects of interaction with photosensitizing substances, indirect effects (glare, fire, explosion), the availability of alternative equipment, information from manufacturers, exposure to multiple sources, and the classification of lasers. The assessment must be carried out by competent personnel and documented and reviewed periodically.

When the assessment indicates that the limit values ​​may be exceeded, the employer must develop and implement a program of technical and organizational measures: alternative work methods, lower-emission equipment, limitations on the duration and level of exposure, shielding, enclosures, interlocks, workplace design, maintenance, signage and zone demarcation, and appropriate personal protective equipment. The employer must inform and train exposed individuals about the assessment results, the limit values, the risks, the measures, the detection of adverse effects, and the use of protective equipment, and ensure health surveillance, with medical examinations when exposure exceeding the limits or adverse effects are detected.

Preventive measures by type of source

• Design and replacement. Equipment with lower emissions, lower class lasers where possible, enclosures and cabinets with interlocks, and filtered sources.
• Shielding and distancing. Welding screens and curtains, absorbent screens, filters in observation windows and safety distances.
• Organization. Time limits, restricted and marked access areas, work and maintenance procedures, and control of reflections on surfaces.
• Lasers. Responsible for laser safety for classes 3B and 4, controlled areas, interlocks, protective glasses with the appropriate optical density and wavelength, and prohibition of looking at the beam.
• Personal protection. Screens and goggles with filters of the appropriate grade, face protection and clothing that covers exposed skin.
• Health surveillance. Ophthalmological and dermatological examinations focused on exposure and care for people with photosensitivity or who take photosensitizing medications.

Organizational application: how to manage artificial optical radiation

1. Inventory the company’s sources of artificial optical radiation (welding, ovens, UV lamps, intense lighting, lasers) with their type, power, classification and exposed people.
2. Carry out the assessment in accordance with Royal Decree 486/2010 with the criteria of the INSST technical guide: discard trivial risk sources, and measure or calculate exposure in the relevant ones with competent personnel.
3. Apply the program of measures when the limit values ​​may be exceeded: replacement, enclosures and interlocks, shielding, distances, times and signage.
4. Define the personal protective equipment for each source (welding filters, laser glasses with adequate optical density, skin protection) and their usage and maintenance criteria.
5. In facilities with class 3B and 4 lasers, designate a person responsible for laser safety and establish controlled areas and procedures.
6. Inform and train exposed individuals, identify those who are especially sensitive, and establish specific health surveillance.
7. Review the assessment in response to changes in equipment, processes, or personnel, and record any reported incidents and adverse effects.

Preventive management software allows you to maintain an inventory of optical radiation sources and lasers with their classification, link them to the positions and people exposed, record the assessments and measurement programs, manage protective equipment and training, and schedule health surveillance with traceability.

Limits and common mistakes

1. Limit management to welding and forget about UV curing and disinfection lamps, ovens, intense lighting and service and aesthetic lasers.
2. Do not protect people near welding arcs with screens and curtains.
3. Using laser safety glasses without checking the required wavelength and optical density.
4. Disable cabin and enclosure interlocks during maintenance or adjustments.
5. Ignore indirect effects (glare, reflections, fire) and interaction with photosensitizing substances and medications.
6. Failure to perform ophthalmological and dermatological health surveillance of exposed individuals.

The specific assessment depends on each source and the exposure conditions; this sheet is for informational purposes only.

Regulatory and reference framework

• Royal Decree 486/2010, of April 23. Protection of the health and safety of workers against the risks related to exposure to artificial optical radiation.
• Directive 2006/25/EC . Minimum health and safety requirements concerning the exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents (artificial optical radiation).
• INSST. Technical guide for the assessment and prevention of risks related to artificial optical radiation . Criteria for the application of Royal Decree 486/2010.
• NTP 903. Artificial optical radiation: evaluation criteria . Exposure assessment methodology.
• Law 31/1995, of November 8. Law on the Prevention of Occupational Risks.
• Royal Decree 773/1997, of May 30. Use of personal protective equipment; eye and face protection.

Royal Decree 486/2010 does not apply to natural optical radiation (solar radiation), whose prevention is addressed through the general risk assessment and measures against outdoor work.