Measures for protection against artificial incoherent optical radiation

Photograph: Welder wearing personal protective equipment at work

Source: Luci - stock.adobe.com

The measures for protection against hazards presented by artificial optical radiation follow the STOP principle, a hierarchy of measures widely used in occupational safety and health. However, an intelligent combination of different measures may often be the most efficient solution.


  • Substitution

    Avoidance or minimization of the hazard by selection of alternative suitable work processes and work equipment (evaluation of substitution):

    • Use of cameras and monitors instead of direct observation of processes that emit optical radiation
    • Limitation of the radiation to the required power
    • Adjustment of the wavelength to the range required for the process
  • Technical measures

    These are primarily taken directly at the source:

    • Screens
    • Encapsulation, possibly with interlocked guards
    • Optical filters
    • Components for automatic switching-off
  • Organizational measures

    These may be necessary to reduce any residual hazards further or eliminate them altogether:

    • Increase in the distance between the radiation source and workers
    • Limitation of the time spent in the radiation zone, e.g. using moving screens or viewing windows
    • Alternation between tasks in areas of higher and lower exposure
    • Marking of hazardous areas, if appropriate with warning signals
    • Provision of instruction to workers
  • Personal measures

    These measures particularly include personal protective equipment (eye and face protection and protective clothing). The effectiveness of the protective measures must be tested.

    • Protective headgear such as welding shields, visors and protective hoods with eye and skin protection
    • Gloves
    • Light-tight footwear and gaiters
    • Leather protectors for the back of the neck
    • Full-body workwear, sufficiently impervious to optical radiation
    • Safety viewing windows with filtering action

The risk assessment must also give consideration to protective measures against indirect effects. Such measures include, for example:

  • Technical or organizational measures to prevent, as far as possible, direct viewing of the source and thus any temporary glare
  • Prevention of ignition of flammable substances or explosive atmospheres
  • Measures for protection against hazardous substances resulting from interaction between the incoherent optical radiation and the environment, or from the materials being processed

Contact:

Claudine Strehl, M. Sc.

Ergonomics, Physical environmental factors

Tel: +49 30 13001-3470
Fax: +49 30 13001-38001


Sven Connemann, M. Sc.

Ergonomics, Physical environmental factors

Tel: +49 30 13001-3472
Fax: +49 30 13001-38001