Bare-Chested Builders Saved From EU 'Tan Ban'

12.14.49pm GMT Fri 9th Sep 2005

MEPs have overwhelmingly voted against a proposed EU measure making employers responsible for workers' exposure to sunlight.

The EU law protecting employees against radiation in the workplace originally included sunlight as well as lasers, X-rays, welding torches and ultra-violet lamps. But the European Parliament has voted in favour of a compromise negotiated by the Liberal Democrat Group which will allow member states to decide for themselves whether or not to include sunlight when they implement the Directive.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, London's Liberal Democrat MEP welcomed the decision, saying:

"This is a victory for common sense. It is no business of the EU to decide whether workers can wear shorts or be bare-chested. If national parliaments want to do so, they can answer to their voters."

"A sensible directive to protect workers from artificial radiation could have been ruined and ridiculed by the ludicrous proposal to legislate on the sun. I am glad Euro-MPs have avoided being our own worst enemy!"

"Everyone should be made aware of the danger of sunburn, but for the EU to dictate that employers be responsible for possible sun-damage suffered by employees is quite frankly ridiculous."

Notes

• It is now up to the Council of Ministers to decide whether or not to accept the European Parliament's amendments. On this issue, the European Parliament and Council of Ministers have equal decision making powers, so if agreement is not reached the matter will have to be resolved through compromise negotiations between the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the European Commission.