The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Artificial Optical Radiation) Regulations 2010

General principles for prevention of risks U.K.

7.—(1) So far as is reasonably practicable, taking account of technical progress and of the availability of measures to control the risk at source, the employer must eliminate or reduce to a minimum the risk to the health and safety of workers arising from exposure, using the principles for prevention of risk set out in the General Duties Regulations.

(2) Where the regulation 6 assessment indicates any possibility that the exposure limit values may be exceeded, the employer must devise and implement an action plan comprising, as appropriate, technical and organisational measures designed to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the exposure exceeding the limit values, taking into account in particular—

(a) alternative working methods that reduce the risk from optical radiation;

(b) the choice of alternative equipment emitting less optical radiation, taking account of the work to be done;

(c) technical measures to reduce the emission of optical radiation including, where necessary, the use of interlocks, shielding or similar health protection mechanisms;

(d) appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, workplaces and workstation systems;

(e) the design and layout of workplaces and workstations;

(f) limitation of the duration and level of exposure;

(g) the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment;

(h) the instructions of the manufacturer of equipment which is a source of optical radiation F1 ...; and

(i) the requirements of workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups.

(3) Where the regulation 6 assessment indicates the possibility that workers could be subject to exposure exceeding the exposure limit values, the employer must—

(a) place appropriate signs in the workplace, in accordance with the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 2001(1), which identify the areas where the exposure limit values may be exceeded; and

(b) where this is technically possible, limit access to the areas where the exposure limit values may be exceeded.

(4) If, despite the measures taken by the employer in accordance with this regulation, the exposure limit values are exceeded, the employer must—

(a) take immediate action to reduce exposure below the exposure limit values;

(b) identify the reasons why the exposure limit values have been exceeded; and

(c) adapt the protection and prevention measures accordingly in order to prevent the exposure limit values being exceeded again.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 7(2)(h) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1202), regs. 1(2), 10(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 7 in force at 10.1.2011, see reg. 1

(1)

S.I. 2001/3444.