HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK: MEPS GEAR UP FOR FINAL VOTE ON OPTICAL RADIATION DIRECTIVE.

• Position: Brief article

Following the agreement secured with the Council in Conciliation Committee in December, the European Parliament's plenary approved the version agreed in conciliation of the Directive intended to protect workers against risks linked to exposure to optical radiation in third reading in Strasbourg on February 14. The proposal was passed by 579 voted to 16 with 49 abstentions.

The Directive sets minimum standards for the prevention and early diagnosis of damage caused to eyes and skin by radiation from artificial sources and for the prevention of long-term health risks. It lays down limit values for exposure and requires employers to conduct risk assessments. The text also outlines workers' rights regarding information, training, consultation and health checks.

Whilst the majority of the Directive's provisions did not raise any particular problems, one major bone of contention emerged in second reading: unlike the Council, the European...