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EMF Exposure on the Job: Tips for a Safer Work Environment
In today’s technologically advanced workplaces, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are an invisible but pervasive presence. From computers and Wi-Fi routers to industrial machinery and medical imaging equipment, sources of EMFs are virtually everywhere. While EMFs are a natural part of our environment, high levels of exposure to human-made sources of EMFs can pose health risks. Both employers and employees should understand these risks and how to mitigate them to ensure a safe working environment.
In this guide to EMF safety at work, you’ll learn which jobs are exposed to the highest levels of EMFs, typical EMF levels in office environments, laws and guidelines regulating EMF exposure in workplaces, and tips for how to make your workplace safer.
Jobs with High EMF Exposure
In 2019, a group of researchers created the job-exposure matrix (JEM), which is a database and coding system showing which occupations have the highest exposure to EMFs. They looked at different types of EMFs, including radiofrequency, electric fields, and magnetic fields.
Their study showed that occupations with the highest exposure to radiofrequency are:
- Ships’ deck officers and pilots
- Prison guards
- Shotfirers and blasters
- Police officers
- Air traffic controllers
These professions all use devices that rely on radio waves such as navigation radar, telecommunication antennas, and two-way radios.
For electric fields and magnetic fields, the occupations most exposed are:
- Textile, fur, and leather product machine operators
- Production clerks
- Compositors and typesetters
- Shoemaking and related machine operators
- Civil engineering technicians
- Machine-tool operators
- Welders and flame cutters
Even if you don’t work in these fields, you could still be exposed to high levels of EMFs. For example, electricians, radio transmission technicians, MRI technicians, radiologists, workers in factories using induction heating, broadcast engineers, railway workers, and laboratory workers may also be at risk of high EMF exposure.
You don’t have to work in a specific environment to be exposed to EMFs, though. Office buildings can also have high levels of EMFs if workers are surrounded by electronics like laptops, computers, servers, and Wi-Fi routers.
Typical EMF Levels in Offices
The EMF levels in an office depend on how many and what kind of electronic devices you’re using. The office layout and proximity to EMF sources are also factors.
The WHO’s International EMF Project gathers information about EMFs and helps create international standards for safe EMF levels. It uses four bands in the electric and magnetic fields frequency ranges to assess health and environmental impacts. These ranges apply to workplaces and include:
- Static (0 Hz)
- Extremely low frequency (ELF) (0-300 kHz)
- Intermediate frequencies (IF) (300Hz-10MHz)
- Radiofrequency (RF) (10MHz-300GHz)
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What do all those numbers mean and how dangerous are these frequencies for your workplace? Here are some examples of sources of each type of frequency commonly found in offices:
1. Static
Office equipment and building infrastructure are typical sources of static frequencies. These are very low magnetic fields that are primarily influenced by the Earth’s geomagnetic field and static charges from equipment.
2. Extremely low frequency (ELF)
Electrical wiring, computers, monitors, and office equipment are all common sources of ELFs. Levels tend to increase near electrical panels and transformers.
3. Intermediate frequencies (IFs)
IFs usually come from computer screens and other similar digital devices. They’re lower than ELFs but can still be present at noticeable levels when very close to the devices.
4. Radiofrequency (RF)
Wi-Fi routers, mobile phones, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices are common examples of RF sources in offices. However, RF levels can decrease significantly with distance from the source.
Regular monitoring and adopting good practices, such as maintaining a distance from high-EMF sources and using shielding where necessary, can help manage and reduce exposure levels.
Are There EMF Regulations for Workplaces?
Many countries have recognized the potential danger of EMFs on the job. As a result, they’ve created regulations designed to protect workers from potential health risks associated with exposure to EMFs. Here’s an overview of some key regulations and guidelines:
European Union
The European Union passed Directive 2013/35/EU, which sets minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from EMFs. It also establishes exposure limit values and action levels for EMFs. Employers must also assess and control EMF exposure in the workplace.
International Guidelines
At the international level, two key organizations that have created EMF guidelines are the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The independent, non-profit ICNIRP issued its latest set of guidelines in 2020 and it serves as a basis for employers worldwide.
The WHO funds research on EMFs in the workplace and publishes guidelines for limiting EMF exposure. It also supports countries working to develop national-level EMF policies.
Specific Country Regulations
Several countries have created national-level legislation or guidelines for workplace EMF safety. A few of the most notable regulations are:
- United States: In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn’t have specific EMF standards, but it does have guidelines concerning non-ionizing radiation. It encourages employers to look to other organizations that have set standards for ELF radiation, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
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- Canada: Canada’s Safety Code 6 is a set of recommendations concerning safety limits for human exposure to EMFs. The guidelines concern both consumers and people working near radiofrequency sources.
- Australia: The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) regulates the use of radiation and EMFs in the country. It issues several regulatory guides that instruct employers on how to manage worker safety concerning EMFs.
- United Kingdom: The UK legislation known as The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 sets EMF exposure limits to ensure the safety of employees throughout the country. Employers must also perform regular exposure assessments.
You can check this interactive map from the WHO to see which countries have active legislation concerning EMF safety and whether the guidelines are mandatory, recommended, or voluntary.
Although these guidelines and regulations may vary slightly, they all contain employer requirements (or strong recommendations) concerning EMF safety at work. The common themes are:
- Risk assessment: Employers must assess the levels of EMF exposure in the workplace.
- Control measures: Employers have to Implement measures to reduce exposure if it exceeds the action levels.
- Training and information: Workers must receive information and training about EMF risks and protective measures.
- Health surveillance: Employers need to conduct health surveillance if there’s a risk of adverse health effects from EMF exposure.
How to Reduce EMF Exposure at Work
Reducing EMF exposure at work involves a combination of practical measures, equipment adjustments, and personal habits. As an employer, you have several ways to make your work environment safer for your team:
- Conduct an EMF assessment: Hire a professional to measure the EMF levels in your workplace. Once you get the results, you can focus your attention on the areas with the highest exposure. A simple online search should be able to help you find a company in your area that conducts EMF workplace assessments.
- Rearrange workspaces: Move workstations away from high-EMF sources such as Wi-Fi routers, electrical panels, and large electronic devices.
- Use shielded cables: Replace standard cables with shielded ones to reduce EMF emissions.
- Install EMF shielding: Use materials like EMF shielding paint, fabrics, and films around high-exposure areas. If you’re unable to move workstations away from EMF sources, shielding can be another effective alternative.
- Use Low-EMF equipment: Try to use devices and equipment that emit lower levels of EMFs, such as wired internet connections instead of Wi-Fi. You should also avoid Bluetooth headphones, or any device that uses Bluetooth if possible.
- Rotate tasks: Limit the amount of time any single employee spends in high-EMF areas by switching up tasks. If you can’t rotate tasks, try “hot-desking” and letting employees work at different desks or workstations each day they’re in the office.
- Scheduled maintenance: Make sure all of your electrical equipment has regular maintenance to prevent unnecessary EMF emissions and keep the workplace safe.
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- Educate your staff: Provide training on the sources and risks of EMF exposure and ways to minimize it.
- Encourage breaks: Promote taking regular breaks away from screens and electronic devices. If you have designated low-EMF zones, you could encourage employees to take their breaks in these areas.
- Improve grounding: Ensure your office has a proper grounding system to avoid excess electrical charge. You can call a professional electrician to check this for you.
- Optimize lighting: Use low-EMF lighting solutions, such as LED lights, and avoid compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) which can emit higher EMF levels.
- Continuous monitoring: Keep tabs on EMF levels in your office with EMF meters. They’ll regularly monitor EMFs and ensure they remain within safe limits.
- Employee feedback: Encourage employees to report any health concerns or symptoms that may be related to EMF exposure.
- Remote quantum energy: Harmonize and neutralize EMFs in your workplace with a Quantum Upgrade subscription. It gives your business full-time access to quantum energy, protecting you and your employees from harmful EMF frequencies.
As an employee, you can also take actions to lower your EMF exposure on the job. Use an EMF-blocking phone case, laptop shield, or other accessories that neutralize EMFs. You can also try to minimize your overall use of personal electronic devices when you’re at work.
Conclusion
Ensuring the safety and well-being of employees in environments with potential EMF exposure is a critical responsibility for employers. Certain jobs, such as those in the electrical, telecommunications, medical, and industrial sectors, carry higher risks of EMF exposure. Even typical office settings can present EMF challenges that need to be managed effectively.
By understanding the sources and levels of EMFs, employers can implement practical measures to minimize exposure. Regular assessments, proper workspace design, use of shielding techniques, and comprehensive employee training can promote better EMF safety. By staying informed and proactive, employers can create safer work environments that protect employees from potential health risks associated with EMF exposure.