Keeping EMF on the radar
April 1st 2008

Up until the latter half of last year, the UK was preparing to implement the minimum requirements of the Elecromagnetic Fields Directive, due to come into place this autumn. However the European Commission has since postponed the Directive, leaving some businesses confused about their obligations. Mike Stevens of Praxis 42 sets the record straight, and explains why EMF hazards should still form part of a risk control strategy

The European Commission has postponed the implementation of the Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Directive (derived from the Physical Agents Directive) until April 2012 because of concerns for the impact of the new requirements on the use and operation of technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The UK was preparing to implement the minimum requirements of the Directive through Regulation this autumn, but will not now do so. Instead, the Commission will take an opportunity to review the direction and aims of the Directive to take into account recent and upcoming research regarding MRIs and exposure limits.

In a published statement the European Commissions Vladimír pidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities commented that:

"The Commission remains committed to the protection of the health and safety of workers. However, it was never the intention of this Directive to impede the practice of MRI. Obviously, the Commission recognises MRI as a technology offering clear benefits to patients, and continues to support MRI research financially", "Postponement of the transposition will allow time to review the current Directive and amend those provisions which have been shown to be problematic by recent scientific studies. While this review is ongoing, the Commission recommends that Member States put the transposition of the current Directive on hold."

Postponing the Directive will allow for consideration of new recommendations from organisations such as the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organisation.

Both organisations are currently involved in reviewing recommendations for occupational limit values for static and low frequency EMFs from MRIs, and health criteria relating to other EMF sources. The recommendations may see less stringent limit values for occupational EMF exposure.

Electromagnetic fields are a form of non-ionising radiation and the EMF Directive, developed as part of the Physical Agents Directive, is intended to protect workers by outlining minimum health and safety requirements covering their exposure to EMFs.

It must be remembered that even though there has been a postponement to the implementation of the Directive into law, there is still a general duty placed on employers to assess risks to workers arising out of their undertaking, and then put controls in place to manage those risks. A risk assessment is therefore required which should also include a consideration of the risks to any non-employees that may also be exposed to EMFs.

It has been known for a long time that exposure to high levels of EMFs can give rise to immediate (acute) effects.

These are known to include the stimulation of peripheral nerves and muscles, shocks and burns caused by touching conducting objects, and elevated tissue temperatures resulting from absorption of EMF energy.

Where and when do EMFs arise?

Employers need to recognise that EMFs arise whenever and wherever electrical energy is used. Common examples of where EMFs may arise – and which thereby need consideration as part of a risk assessment – include situations where large electric motors or generators operate, where microwave ovens are used in food preparation and retailing, and where industrial plastic welding machines are used. There are also opportunities for workers to be accidentally exposed to EMFs generated from the transmitting parts of telecommunications and other radio antennas installed on building rooftops, especially when workers access these areas to undertake maintenance or repair work.

The process of risk assessment associated with EMFs should start with the identification of likely sources of EMF and exactly who might be exposed to them. The important consideration is that EMF hazards cannot be seen or felt, which means that employers may need to organise an EMF measurement programme to establish if workers are at risk, or to check that previously implemented controls are still in place. Measurement of EMFs requires both competence and the use of appropriate measurement devices.

Management and worker training and general awareness of EMF hazards should form part of the employer's risk control strategy, and it should be refreshed on a planned basis.

In summary, the EMF Directive will not now be implemented until April 2012, but existing legislation still requires that employers ensure that EMF hazards are identified, risks are assessed and adequate controls are put in place to protect workers and others who maybe exposed to EMFs.

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