There are certain jobs in which employees are at risk of EMF exposure. Almost all people working in plants and factories, with electrical machines that produce a very high level of EMF are prone to high levels of EMF exposure.
Workplaces that engage in welding or the manufacture of metal, workplaces that contain magnetisers, demagnetisers, or microwaves, and workplaces that are involved in transport and medical operations are all considered to have a higher risk of electromagnetic radiation exposure.
The effects that may be caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of EMFs might be described as being painful or unpleasant. The kind of effects that are caused by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and how severe they are are both determined by the frequency and strength of the EMFs to which an employee is exposed.
The type of equipment being utilized and the field or frequency range being radiated both play a role in determining the potential dangers to one’s health posed by electromagnetic fields (EMF). The interference with active medical implants like pacemakers and defibrillators or passive medical implants like artificial joints or pins can have direct or indirect effects on a person’s health. Direct effects include things like vertigo, nausea, or heating of body tissue. Indirect effects include things like vertigo, nausea, or heating of body tissue. Exposure to EMFs can also be harmful to pregnant women and their unborn children.
In actuality, however, such effects are unlikely, and they won’t occur during an ordinary working day. In general, the risks connected with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are well understood and effectively handled in the United Kingdom, especially in health care, energy distribution, transportation, and telecommunications.
Here is what you need to know about an EMF assessment in your workplace in the UK and guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields.
What Is an EMF Assessment
An EMF Occupational Exposure Assessment evaluates how much electromagnetic field workers are exposed to and what steps can be taken to reduce or minimize exposure. EMF assessments are carried out to identify the level of exposure and determine the risk of adverse health effects. An EMF Occupational Exposure Assessment results should be considered when planning your working environment and deciding how to reduce electromagnetic fields and protect against them.
Sources of EMF Exposure
There are sources of EMF in the workplace daily, which can contribute to chronic exposure levels. These sources include power lines, computer equipment, electric motors, industrial machinery, factory or plant wiring, substations and transformers. However, many EMF sources in our daily lives can contribute to total exposure.
Safe Levels of EMF
Low frequency EMFs are measured in Microtesla (µT). However, the lowest level of EMF at which no adverse health effects occur is unknown. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has set a guideline for a maximum permissible exposure level of 360 µT in the workplace. This value has been approved by the World Health Organization. It is recognized as suitable for evaluating electromagnetic fields where there is insufficient data to establish a safe level below this threshold.
Radio frequency EMFs are measured in Volts per Metre (V/m). The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has set a guideline for a maximum permissible exposure level of 80 V/m in the workplace.
EMF Exposure
To detect high levels of EMF exposure, we use professional meters that detect electromagnetic fields. If there is an indication of high EMF exposure, then we will pinpoint this hotspot in our written report and will give appropriate recommendations.
Reporting EMF Exposure
If you think there are high levels of EMF exposure, you should contact your employer and report it . Your employer should make the necessary arrangements to conduct an EMF survey to protect you against EMF exposure. If your employer makes the necessary improvements, a secondary EMF survey should be conducted to ensure that proper EMF health and safety level are reached.
How Often Do You Need an EMF Assessment?
Everyone should have an EMF assessment at least once a year. If you work in a high-risk environment, you should check your EMF levels more frequently. A monthly EMF assessment would be advisable in factories and other workplaces where electromagnetic fields are particularly high. This will ensure a safer environment for yourself and your co-workers.
EMF and Health
People exposed to EMF have been known to experience adverse health effects, ranging from increased risk of cancer to reduced fertility and possibly impaired fetal development. Exposure to electromagnetic fields at work increases the risk of certain diseases, such as cancer, and is linked to several other health effects, such as sleep disorders, headaches, fatigue, and depression. The risk of adverse health effects from EMF exposure depends upon the level of exposure, type of work carried out, and duration.
EMF at the workplace affects employee health and human productivity, causes potential workplace accidents, and can result in high-cost damages. An EMF assessment is an essential part of workplace safety and health regulation. An EMF assessment at workplace will help you identify whether or not your job is at risk due to electromagnetic fields. It is a good investment that helps protect you against the adverse health effects of exposure to EMFs. It will also ensure that your workplace is safe for all your employees to ensure optimum productivity and reduced EMF health risks at work.
For more information or a price quote, please contact us at
info@emfinspections.co.uk
