Working with exposure

The proliferation of electronic devices over the last two decades means most of us are exposed on a daily basis to an increasing range of electromagnetic fields (emf). Whilst there is no escape from static electric and magnetic fields – the natural world has its fair share of sources – it has become necessary to examine the implications of this emf cocktail. Whilst strict regulations, in the form of the Low Voltage Directive, protect consumers from potentially harmful emf exposure from home appliances, the same level of protection isn’t afforded to working environments – but that’s about to change. Directive 2004/40/EC, the Physical Agents (electromagnetic fields) Directive (PAD) came into force on 30 April 2004 and is due to be introduced by 30 April 2008 in all EU member countries. Allied to Directive 2002/44/EC, which specifies the minimum health and safety requirements for the exposure of workers to vibration, plus Directive 89/391/EEC, which outlines minimum health and safety requirements for exposure to noise, Directive 2004/40/EC introduces provision for emf risk assessments, control of exposure, health surveillance, record keeping, instruction and training. More stringent than the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, Directive 2004/40/EC’s minimum requirements are based on the values found in the International Commission on Non Ionising Radiation Protection’s (ICNIRP) occupational exposure guidelines for electromagnetic fields between 0 and 300GHz. The organisation responsible for disseminating the three Physical Agents Directives in the UK is the Health and Safety Executive (HSC), which is due to release a general guidance document concerning the new emf regulations for consultation this Spring. Working with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and industry, the HSE is setting up advisory groups to evaluate the legislation’s impact.