Bare Chested Builders Set For Reprieve

4.59.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Jul 2005

Bare chested builders could be set for a reprieve as last minute negotiations in Brussels seek a compromise deal, on the so called "sun directive"

Outdoor worker's right to wear what they want is being threatened by including exposure to natural radiation from the Sun in to a very sensible directive to protect workers from artificial optical radiation.

Liberal Democrat member of the committee Liz Lynne, shadow rapporteur for the ALDE group, is leading attempts to remove the natural radiation part of the directive and says a compromise is possible.

"I tried to gain support to remove natural radiation from this directive. It looks like we might have achieved the next best thing. A compromise deal to allow Member States to decide if it should be included has been discussed and I am hopeful that the committee will agree to this on Tuesday."

The new laws are part of a directive that would limit the amount of artificial optical radiation (UV rays and infrared sources) that workers such as welders and metal forgers can safely be exposed to in the workplace. However, as it is at present it would also cover natural radiation. The Optical Radiation directive will be debated and voted on by the Employment & Social Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

ENDS