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Occupational exposure assessment |
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The biggest and most interesting exposures to electromagnetic fields are occupational. We have many decades of expserinec of measuring such exposures, and we know that in most cases there is not actually a problem. Putting aside esoteric and unique situations, the general cases that will probaly require detailed exposure are
- High power electrical welding (arc, spot, projection, induction)
- Induction heating at all frequencies
- PVC and dielectric welding
- Magnetic NDT
- Bulk tape erasing
- RF plasmas
- Large electromagnets
- Arc and other large electrical furnaces
- Industrial electrolysis
- Any other high current applications
- Metal detectors
There are a number of situations such as broadcast, power generation, mobile phone towers, radars, railways etc where assessments may be needed also, but these are generally well-managed in-house. In addition there are very many situations where the exposure may not be known but there is unlikely to be a problem. This includes most work situations. In most cases an analysis can be limited to consideration of the source characteristics, and most of the rest can be addressed via information from the manufacturer. In the majority of such cases the greatest issue is to users of pacemakers or other active implanted medical devices. See our page here (new window) on that issue.
In the UK the relevant legislation you have to meet is the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations. In the EU it is the EMF Directive. Elsewhere other limits may apply. More on these on our"limits" page (new window).
If you use our contact page (new window) to email us in the first instance, we will be happy to call you back at your convenience, or correspond via email on any matters re;ated to workplace EMF exposure. We can of course also undertake surveys of workplace exposure, or help complile an exposure report based on known characteristics of equipment and/or calculation. Contact us and we can discuss it.