Monitoring exposure to natural ultraviolet radiation in workers employed at outdoor workstations

Project manager: Agnieszka Wolska Ph.D. (Eng.)

Contractor: Andrzej Pawlak M.Sc. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The general aim of this task consisted in developing methods of measuring exposure and assessing occupational risk of workers exposed to natural ultraviolet radiation. The risk natural ultraviolet radiation poses to selected groups of workers in Poland was analysed on the basis of literature. A methodology of dosimetric measurements of single doses of ultraviolet radiation in individual workers was developed and verified in pilot studies. Next, measurements were carried out and exposure to ultraviolet radiation was assessed in selected occupational groups in Poland. Criteria and methods of assessing occupational risk in workers exposed to natural ultraviolet radiation were developed taking into consideration the obtained results of measurements. The results of measuring exposure show that the following occupational groups are at very great risk from radiation: sea rescuers, installers of tracks and farmers. Gardeners, construction workers and workers constructing roads are at great risk, whereas fishermen are at at a very small risk. The developed method of risk assessment, which is based on maximal predicted UV index, is more restrictive than the method PN EN 14255-3:2010 suggests.

Unit: Department of Safety Engineering

Duration: 01.01.2010 – 30.12.2010