EMF Safety: Health & Safety for Workplace & Products

Electromagnetic field (EMF) safety of workplaces and products are two safety responsibilities applying to a wide range of employers and manufacturers for protection of the health of employees and the general public. Workplaces are subject to health and safety regulation such as the introduction of the EU Physical Agents Directive for EMF, 2013/35/EU. Electrical products must comply with essential health and safety requirements before placing them on the market and are regulated in the EU under CE marking Directives with specific standards for EMF safety.

The topic of EMF safety is explained on this course together with its regulation, management and assessment with practical measurement examples. It applies to industries including communications, radar, industrial processing, medicine and other fields.

COURSE CONTENT:

• Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): The nature of electromagnetic fields, the electromagnetic spectrum and the distinction between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. The units used in measuring field strength and power density. The effect of waveshape and modulation.
• EMF Effects on the Human Body: The thermal effects of EMF radiation on the human body and the coupling variation with frequency. The low frequency electrostimulation effects on the human body. The risk of electric shock and burns associated with contact currents. The indirect effects of EMF on medical devices, flammables and Electro Explosive Devices. Research into possible long term effects on people.
• EMF Regulation: EMF documents; Physical Agents Directive (EMF) 2013/35/EU, general public guidance for Europe 1999/519/EC, International ICNIRP, US IEEEC95.1. Basis of EMF exposure; exposure limit values/basic restrictions and the measurable action/reference levels. Workplace and product EMF standards. Status of regulation of long term effects.
• Workplace EMF Safety Management: Safety management & policy and the need for a competent person. Risk assessment from initial to detailed assessment. Resulting safety controls and zoning. Dealing with incidents and medical assistance. Other possible exposure hazards.
• Measurement of Thermal Effects: Handheld EMF meters and operation. The use of time averaging and spatial averaging. Dealing with moving beams and multiple Sources. Personal monitor PPE and area monitors. Current monitor for induced and contact currents. Equipment leakage measurement. Calibration and measurement uncertainty.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

• Understand the nature and properties of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the difference between ionising and non-ionising radiation.
• Understand the health effects of EMF on the human body including shocks and burns and indirect hazards to, flammable atmospheres, Electro Explosive Devices (EEDs) and medical implants.
• To be able to identify and comply with current product EU/UK regulations including the EU Physical Agents (EMF) Directive and to perform a risk assessment.
• Understand the need for basic exposure limit value restrictions and the permitted electric, magnetic and power density exposure action levels.
• To be aware of suitable EMF monitoring equipment.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Those involved in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of electrical products and installations producing electromagnetic fields. Safety practitioners from all disciplines; supervisors and managers of people working with EMF; people from other disciplines who use EMF in research, medical work and other industries. 

Benefits of Attending

• Protect employees and the general public from EMF health hazards.
• Enable compliance with Health and Safety regulation and guidance.
• Hands on use of measurement instrumentation.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

PETER DOREY

Principal Consultant, TÜV SÜD

wHAT IS cpd?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is used to describe the learning activities professionals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities. Engaging in Continuing Professional Development ensures that both academic and practical qualifications do not become out-dated or obsolete; allowing individuals to continually ‘up skill’ or ‘re-skill’ themselves, regardless of occupation, age or educational level.