The invention relates to a method for the radiation curing of surfaces of workpieces, wherein the workpieces are held in a multiplicity of hermetically sealable and at least partly radiation-transparent holding fixtures and are fed consecutively in a cycle to an irradiation device (26), wherein the holding fixtures with the workpieces contained therein are purged with inert gas, and before irradiation or in an irradiation station inert gas is fed into a holding fixture and the holding fixture is purged with the inert gas and the gas displaced by purging is fed to a holding fixture at a previous stage of the operating cycle, for purging of the same, and an apparatus for implementation of the method.