Non-ionising Radiation (NIR)

What is non-ionising radiation (NIR)?

How can NIR be harmful?

What are NIR hazards in your workplace?

What you need to do

General health and safety responsibilities for NIR

 What is non-ionising radiation (NIR)?

NIR is radiation that does not possess sufficient energy to cause ionisation of atoms or molecules. For ionising radiation go to  Local Rules for Using Ionising Radiation. NIR hazards include sunlight, lasers, sources of artificial optical radiation, infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) sources, electromagnetic fields, microwaves and radio waves.

Below are the electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths covered by the NIR Standard.

• UV is the region of the spectrum comprising of wavelengths in the range 100 nm to 400 nm. It can be further sub-divided into three regions: UV-A (315 - 400 nm), UV-B (280 - 315 nm) and UV-C (100 - 280 nm).
• Visible is the region of the spectrum extending from approximately 400 to 700nm. Any optical radiation capable of directly causing a visual sensation in the human eye.
• IR is the region of the spectrum comprising of wavelengths in the range 700 nm to 1 mm.
• Microwaves  (wavelengths 1 mm - 1 m) and radio waves (wavelengths 1mm - 100,000km)

• Electromagnetic fields  with frequencies up to 300 GHz.

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How can NIR be harmful?

Even though NIR cannot cause ionisation in materials, it still can interact with people, equipment and substances and cause immediate and long term health and safety effects. These effects are varied and include:

• Visual disruption (flash blindness)
• Photokeratitis (milky white cornea), cataract, corneal burns (arc eye)
• Thermal (burning) and photochemical damage to the retina
• Erythema (sunburn), accelerated skin aging, increased skin pigmentation and skin cancers
• Photosensitive skin reaction and skin burn

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) can interfere with electronic devices in the body, for example, pacemakers. In addition, medical devices, such as artifical limbs and broken bone fixation devices, can experience localised heating. EMF interaction with people may cause localised temperature increases in body tissue. Microwaves can cause heating in the body.

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 Where are the NIR hazards your workplace?

A NIR hazard is a piece of equipment or a work activity that produces non-ionising radiation in the wavelengths listed above or produces significant electromagnetic fields. In the case of sunlight, the NIR source is the sun and prolonged exposure to sunlight is the hazardous activity. NIR sources become dangerous when someone, or something, interacts with the radiation for a period of time that can cause harm or unsafe conditions.

A guide to Identifying High Risk Artificial Light Sources in Your Workplace  has been produced. The Departmental Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Advisor (DNIRPA) or the University Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Advisor (UNIRPA) can help you.

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What you need to do

If you are responsible for managing equipment, work activities, research or teaching activities that use or could expose people to NIR you need to ensure the risks are adequately controlled. Refer to the relevant standards listed above for further information on how to manage the risks. If you are unsure whether you work with or could be exposed to a NIR hazard read this webpage for more information. Your Departmental Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Advisor (DNIRPA) or the University Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Advisor (UNIRPA) can help. Their contact details are listed in Specialist Safety Roles.

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Health and safety responsibilities for NIR

If you have NIR hazards they must be adequately managed to reduce the risk of harm. AOR hazards, which include lasers, are controlled by the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 and all NIR hazards are controlled by the Managing Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

In the University, the general responsibilities given in the Health, Safety Wellbeing Policy (HSW Policy) apply to the management of health and safety risks to staff, students and others arising from NIR hazards.  The HSW Policy should be consulted for full responsibilities and for research activities the University and Colleges Employers Association guide on Responsible Research should be followed. A brief summary is given below:

Heads of Department have overall responsibility for ensuring their Department complies with the University’s requirements relating to the control of health and safety risks arising from work with NIR hazards. Where Class 3B and Class 4 lasers are used the Head of Department should　appoint a Departmental Non-Ionisng Radiation Protection Adviser (DNIRPA).

Academic Supervisors are responsible for the safety of staff and students whilst they are under their supervision, which includes ensuring that they understand the health and safety risks associated with academic activities and follow health and safety instructions.

In relation to work with lasers, Academic Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the University’s Laser Safety Standard for use of lasers and departmental rules are implemented in their area of responsibility.

Principal Investigators are responsible for the health and safety management of their research projects and must ensure NIR hazards are assessed during the planning of the project and kept under review throughout.

Line Managers  are responsible for the implementation of relevant NIR standards in their area of control.

Departmental Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Adviser (DNIRPAs). Provide advice on the purchase and safe management of lasers and other NIR sources that present a significant risk to health. Ensure such equipment is used in accordance with statutory requirements, the University’s Standards and  local rules covering the health and safety of non-ionising radiation sources.

University Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Adviser (UNIRPA). Coordinating the development and review of University-wide policy on the safe management of lasers and other non-ionising radiation sources.

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