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[Bulah Landaker]

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The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations (2016) implement the requirements of the EU Physical Agents (Electromagnetic Fields) Directive 2013 into UK Law. These regulations prohibit exposure of employees to electromagnetic fields above defined exposure limit values (ELVs). However, for MRI work activities, there is an exemption from this requirement provided that exposures are reduced to a level that is as low as is reasonably practicable. There are additional requirements for an adequate risk assessment, provision for staff training and monitoring of any health effects.This document provides specific guidance on achieving compliance with the regulations in the MRI setting. Consideration of what level of exposure is 'reasonable' is key to the proper application of these regulations. The ELVs, as defined in the regulations, are presented in terms of their relevance to exposures in the MRI-setting, what the direct and indirect effects of exposures are likely to be and what reasonable control measures can be put in place. Worked examples provide a step-by-step guide to achieving compliance with the regulations.For typical MRI working practices, it is unlikely that any permanent health effects will be experienced. Indeed, any effects that are experienced are likely to be transient and have no long-term consequences. Control measures to minimise the risks to workers in the MRI environment should already be in place in well-run units and there should be no need to implement additional control measures for exposures above the ELVs.

A European Union directive is a legislative act that sets out a goal that all EU countries must achieve. However, it is up to the individual countries to devise their own laws on how to reach these goals.

Every day, we are surrounded by electronic devices that produce electromagnetic fields. The vast majority of these are well below safe levels, but this new law has been introduced to provide additional controls for those devices that pose a higher risk.

For the majority of workplaces, no further action will be required. Where higher risk equipment is being used, these regulations will require employers to take further action to reduce the exposure to electromagnetic fields, in the form of a risk assessment and the implementation of suitable control measures.

For other EU member states, the precise details associated with its implementation are unknown. However, 1 July 2016 represented the latest date by which an EU member state could implement local regulation to meet the goals of the directive.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) are static electric, static magnetic and time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic (radio wave) fields with frequencies up to 300 GHz. An EMF is produced whenever a piece of electrical or electronic equipment (i.e. TV, food mixer, computer, mobile phone, etc.) is used. With the vast amount of technology around us today, EMFs are ever-present and, if they are of high enough intensity, employers may need to take action to ensure that workers are protected from any adverse effects.

This testing method is based on the principle that magnetic flux in a magnetised object is locally distorted by the presence of a discontinuity. This distortion causes some of the magnetic field to exit and re-enter the test object at the discontinuity. This phenomenon is called magnetic flux leakage. The flux leakage field attracts the added magnetic particles and they will produce a visible indication of the discontinuity.

As such, Magnaflux EMEA equipment that is used to for the purpose of Magnetic Particle Inspection does come under this regulation. This equipment includes magnetic yokes, magnetising coils, bench units and mobile test units.

EMFs at different frequencies affect the human body in different ways, causing sensory and health effects. Sensory effects may include nausea, vertigo, a metallic taste in the mouth, flickering sensations in peripheral vision and auditory effects such as clicks and buzzes. Health effects can vary from tingling, thermal stress, and even burns in extreme cases.

Indirect effects can also occur, for example, when a magnetic object moves uncontrolled towards a magnet, potentially hitting anyone or anything in its way. Indirect effects may also include interference with body-worn or implanted medical devices, such as pacemakers and hearing aids.

Simple measures to reduce exposure may be the easiest way to ensure that exposure is beneath the relevant ELV. Examples could include moving the worker further away from the EMF source, or installing screening. If, however, more controls are required, then an action plan will be needed. This, in essence, is a safe system of work that identifies:

Yes, with any such measurement it is important to use measurement devices that are calibrated against the required standards, and that this calibration is traceable to these standards. Information on the calibration and traceability should be checked with either the service provider or with the manufacturer of the measurement device.

A personal monitor is worn on the body and will typically give a visual and audible warning when the field strength approaches the permitted ELV. Some companies provide a monitor to protect those staff that will be exposed to electromagnetic fields. Data log functions can record the level of exposure.

The Control of Electro Magnetic Fields at Work Regulations (CEMFAW)The Control of Electro Magnetic Fields at Work Regulations (CEMFAW)In this sectionIn This Section

• BackgroundThe European Union Physical Agents Directive concerning worker exposure to Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs) was formally adopted in June 2013 with a transposition date of 1st July 2016. The Directive covers the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from EMFs.DerogationsThe Directive includes a derogation for activities related to the installation, testing, use, development, maintenance of or research related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment for patients in the health sector, from the exposure limit values, (ELVs) subject to certain conditions.There are also conditional derogations for the military and a general temporary conditional derogation for specific activities subject to agreement with the overseeing authority for each member state.TranspositionThe directive was transposed into law on 1st July 2016 as The Control of Electro Magnetic Fields at Work (CEMFAW) RegulationsHSE oversee this for England Scotland and Wales and HSENI are responsible for Northern Ireland. Both organisations have only introduced new requirements from the directive that go beyond current UK legislation.
  England, Scotland and Wales
  • HSE sets out its requirements in the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work (CEMFAW) Regulations 2016.
  • Further information is available in a guidance document published by HSE: A guide to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016
    
  Northern Ireland
  • HSE NI sets out its requirements inThe Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016.
  • Further information is detailed in an explanatory memorandum.
  • HSE NI states that the statutory rule will also be supported by the publication: A Guide to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016
  ExemptionsThe CEMFAW Regulations (regulation 13(1)) grant HSE and HSENI power to exempt employers from the exposure limits contained in the regulations. Any exemption will be subject to safety conditions.If an activity is exempt, employers must ensure that:
  • exposure is as low as is reasonably practical
  • employees are protected against health effects and safety risks arising from that exposure.
  Employers will not be required to use measurements or calculations in their exposure assessment, or undertake an action plan, in relation to activities that are included in the exemption. All other requirements of the regulations still apply to that work activity.Employers must still carry out risk assessments and ensure that workers are given appropriate information and training.Risk assessment templates are freely available to download from the BIR webpage.
  Exemption certificatesHSE and HSENI have published exemption certificates containing information about activities which are exempt (under general temporary conditional derogation).Available online:
  • Health and Safety Executive Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016
  • Electromagnetic Fields at Work - Certificate of Exemption
  Further informationFurther information regarding the regulations and exemptions is available on the following HSE and HSENI web pages:
  • HSE - Electromagnetic fields
  • HSE - Exemptions from exposure limits in the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 (CEMFAW Regulations
  • hseni - Electromagnetic fields (EMFs)
  • Further reading: The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 and medical MRI
  Useful Documents
  • Directive 2013/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, 26 June 2013
  • Electromagnetic fields at work
  • Non-binding guide to good practice for implementing Directive 2013/35/EU Electromagnetic Fields _ Vo
  • The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016
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