EMF - Workplace Assessment & Control

The EMF Directive (2013/35/EU) In 2013 the European Union agreed a new document defining the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to Electromagnetic Fields. A three year period was applied to give member states time to respond and so the Directive comes into effect on the 1st July 2016. It should be noted that although the measurement of EMF is not mandatory, employers are required to perform a risk assessment. Whilst risk assessments can be carried out by calculation and gathering information from equipment manufacturers, this approach requires a thorough technical examination and does not take account of the installation where people will be working. Sometimes it will be more applicable, straightforward and less time consuming to make measurements. 'The EMF Directive exists to ensure the safety and health of workers involved in situations where electromagnetic fields are present due to the utilisation of electricity in the workplace' When do EMF regulations apply in the UK? The UK regulations transposing EMF Directive 2013/35/EU into UK legislation were published on Monday 23rd May 2016. Follow the link at the bottom to view these. What is EMF? Electromagnetic fields in the context of this regulation are produced either by electricity, radio waves or magnets. As a static force or a travelling wave they can influence the tiny electrical charges within our bodies responsible for our anatomy. Why is EMF a Concern? Exposure to electromagnetic fields has been scientifically proven to affect nerve and muscle tissue, resulting in either a thermal or sensory reaction or a short term adverse health condition. These undesired effects on the human body are known to depend on the frequency and intensity of the EMF and so a system of control and protection has been implemented to manage the risk of exposure at work. EMF Safety at Work Household electrical appliances (or similar), lighting or office equipment shouldn’t be a cause for concern if they had already been safety tested by the manufacturer. CE marking documentation includes EMF under the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and so without examining a test report, EMF safety cannot usually be verified by collecting information. Many fluorescent lighting products surveyed in factories and offices have been found to exceed the Action Levels for EMF, and nausea, said to be caused by lighting, is a common complaint – this is also a symptom of EMF exposure! Of potential concern is the presence of high frequencies or high energy fields in the working environment, which can arise from many industrial and commercial processes. This may require protective measures to be implemented to minimize any possibility of health effects being encountered by workers as a result of exposure to EMF in the workplace. Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields Businesses that knowingly generate radio-frequency energy above 9kHz for induction heating, food preparation, microwave cooking, semiconductor manufacturing, waste re-cycling, etc. or that unintentionally produce EMF as a bi-product of an application involving 50Hz currents which exceed 100A, or electro-welding/discharge machining, etc. will need to perform assessments for all personnel working with or near to the equipment. If you have an employee with an active implanted medical device who works with anything from retail security tags to glue guns then you will need to perform a specific risk assessment. How can we help you? Cranage provides diagnostic reports on magnetic and electric fields in the workplace using calibrated measuring instruments traceable to National Standards. These instruments provide the industrial plant manager and safety professional with an accurate solution for proving compliance with the EMF regulations. They are fully isotropic and specifically designed to determine the degree to which the human body is exposed to EMF. Measurements of field strengths and frequencies are taken in working and service areas, around machinery and equipment, along walkways and corridors, in offices and loading bays. EMF found not to exceed ‘low Action Levels’ would not require a risk assessment or any protection measures to be taken. EMF found to exceed ‘high Action Levels’ would require protection measures which may involve modifications to the machine, equipment, or working practice. Our reports deal with thermal and non-thermal biological effects, and sensory and health effects, indicating the need, where applicable, for protection or prevention. If you need to book an EMF survey, or require professional assistance to implement a risk assessment, or advice on how to reduce or eliminate the risks arising from exposure to EMF please visit www.cranage.co.uk or telephone Macauley on 01630 658568 Ext 100

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