The EU Council adopted on 18/04/05 a Common Position on the minimum H&S requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents, namely optical radiation. In the final package, it is clearly mentioned "exposure to natural radiation from the sun". This has incited unanimous opposition from industry & unions who want it to be amended during its second reading at Parliament level in Sept. The main complaint against the Common Position focuses on a number of responsibilities on employers regarding risks linked to natural radiation from the sun. Whereas the text applies the principle of "exposure to limit values" to artificial sources, natural sources of optical rays would rather compel employers to proceed to an assessment of the H&S risks so that necessary measures for minimising these can be defined & implemented.
