UV Safety in the Workplace

Understanding the risks and how to stay compliant

Artificial UV light plays a vital role in modern workplaces, from detection of cracks, leaks and particles to disinfection and curing of adhesives and coatings.

But along with its benefits comes a serious responsibility: protecting people from exposure that can harm their eyes, skin, and long-term health.

Many organisations underestimate the risks of artificial UV light.

Even short-term exposure can cause eye irritation, erythema, and increased long-term risks such as cataracts and skin cancer. Yet, these hazards often go unnoticed until an incident occurs or until an inspector asks for documentation that doesn’t exist.

Why UV safety matters

UV radiation is invisible, and so are its dangers. If your organisation operates UV light sources (whether in research labs, manufacturing lines, or disinfection systems), you’re legally required to control and assess exposure under EU Directive 2006/25/EC (Artificial Optical Radiation) and the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010. These regulations require employers to:

Identify and assess UV exposure risks
Compare exposure levels against statutory limits
Implement controls and provide training to protect workers
Keep clear, documented evidence of compliance

Unfortunately, many organisations rely on assumptions rather than actual measurements, and that’s where problems begin.

Common UV safety gaps we see

Through years of assessments across different sectors, we regularly find that:

Exposure limits are exceeded, putting workers at risk.
Inadequate control measures don’t provide sufficient protection.
Training is generic and not specific to the process in place.
Risk assessments don’t include a comparison of actual exposure to the statutory limits.

Each of these gaps can lead to enforcement action, lost time incidents, or simply a lack of confidence that your workers are truly safe.

How to build a compliant UV safety programme

A compliant UV safety programme should include five core elements:

Awareness and training for safety teams and those working with or around artificial UV light sources.
Measurement and assessment of actual exposure levels vs. statutory exposure limits.
Evaluation of engineering and administrative controls to eliminate or minimise unnecessary exposure.
Validation that eyewear, gloves, and other PPE are suitable for the specific UV wavelengths used.
Documentation and proof demonstrate compliance to auditors and inspectors (measurement results, and training certificates)

When done properly, this framework protects people, simplifies audits, and demonstrates responsible management.

To help organisations navigate this complex process, we offer a UV safety compliance package which includes:

UV Risk Management Training

Aimed at safety professionals and those responsible for the safe use of UV light within your organisation.

This half day course is designed to improve knowledge around artificial UV light sources, and covers the health effects, statutory exposure limits and legal obligations.

UV Measurement and Assessment

On site assessment of your UV light equipment, process, control measures including measurement and assessment of personal exposure with comparison to the statutory ELVs.

Includes a report detailing the findings, compliance with the CAOR10 regulations and recommendations to eliminate or further reduce the risk.

UV Hazard Awareness Training

Aimed at operators, maintenance engineers and teams working with or around artificial UV light sources.

It’s a legal requirement that workers are provided with information and training related to the specific equipment, processes, control measures and associated risks.

Where our expertise helps

We provide a complete UV Safety and Compliance Package designed to make this process straightforward, compliant, and fully documented.

Our structured service solution includes:

UV risk management training for responsible personnel
Onsite measurement of UV exposure for each process and position
Reporting with compliance statements and control recommendations
Tailored hazard awareness training for your teams

Want to check compliance?

Everything is delivered in one coordinated engagement – one purchase order, one invoice, one point of contact.

✅ Full compliance with EU and UK regulations
✅ Independent verification of UV exposure
✅ Practical recommendations specific to your setup
✅ Documented proof of compliance for audits and inspections

Get in touch for a no-obligation discussion around your UV equipment and process.