European Parliament votes against clause that would make employers responsible for protecting workers from skin cancer-causing sunlight
Exposure to ultra-violet rays in sunlight is a growing concern around the world as the incidence of skin cancer increases, but the European Union has voted against a measure that would make employers responsible for protecting employees from the hazards of sunshine.
The Optical Radiation Directive is designed to limit workers’ exposure to lasers, x-rays, welding torches and ultra-violet lamps. With the support of EU member states, the European Commission included natural radiation — sunlight — in the list of hazards.
Critics said the clause would oblige employers to make barmaids cover their cleavage, a fact that had UK and German tabloids in an uproar, and make builders wear shirts.
“It is no business of the EU to tell workers that they can’t be bare-chested or wear shorts,” said British Liberal MEP Liz Lynne. “Should employers provide suncream? Should they provide sunglasses? This is no task for the EU.”
But supporters see it as an important measure to protect workers from the danger of skin cancer.
Cases of skin cancer in the UK have doubled in the past 25 years and have risen by 15-20 per cent among German farm workers in the last decade.
Unless the EU council rejects the parliament’s decision to exclude sunlight from the law, it will be up to the individual member states to decide whether employers should protect staff from the sun.
The Optical Radiation Directive is designed to limit workers’ exposure to lasers, x-rays, welding torches and ultra-violet lamps. With the support of EU member states, the European Commission included natural radiation — sunlight — in the list of hazards.
Critics said the clause would oblige employers to make barmaids cover their cleavage, a fact that had UK and German tabloids in an uproar, and make builders wear shirts.
“It is no business of the EU to tell workers that they can’t be bare-chested or wear shorts,” said British Liberal MEP Liz Lynne. “Should employers provide suncream? Should they provide sunglasses? This is no task for the EU.”
But supporters see it as an important measure to protect workers from the danger of skin cancer.
Cases of skin cancer in the UK have doubled in the past 25 years and have risen by 15-20 per cent among German farm workers in the last decade.
Unless the EU council rejects the parliament’s decision to exclude sunlight from the law, it will be up to the individual member states to decide whether employers should protect staff from the sun.
