Dear all

The Health and Safety Executive have today launched the consultative 
document for UK regulations to implement the Artificial Optical Radiation 
Directive. The covering "letter" is below, with a link to the CD.

John O'Hagan
Health Protection Agency
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Consultation on new Health and Safety regulations
 
Dear Recipient,

I am writing to inform you about proposed new health and safety regulations – 
the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations. 

These will implement a European Union (EU) Directive and will ensure workers 
are protected from risks associated with hazardous sources of light. At the 
end of this message you will find a link that will allow you to see what is being 
proposed in detail and explain how you can give us your views.

HSE recognises that Great Britain already has very effective legislation in place 
that protects workers from harm from undue exposure to hazardous sources of 
light. Therefore, we have developed a set of proportionate regulations to 
ensure that businesses are not faced with unnecessary and onerous burdens 
where there is no risk of harm.

HSE has also developed a short guide to help at-risk businesses understand 
what they need to do to ensure their workers can remain protected. 

The consultation document contains a number of questions on which we would 
like your views by 5th February 2010. You can respond to the draft regulations 
by accessing this link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd227.htm 

HSE is keen to gather your views on the draft regulations. Please feel free to 
circulate these details to any colleagues you think may be interested. 

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Penrose
Work Environment, Radiation and Gas Division 
The Health and Safety Executive
Redgrave Court 
Merton Road 
Bootle 
Merseyside L20 7HS