Workers' exposure to electromagnetic fields in offices
MANAGING ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
In the office
The exposure of workers in offices is a major concern given the widespread use of wireless technologies and electronic equipment (computers, mobile phones, Wi-Fi, etc.). It is essential to take measures to ensure the safety of employees with regard to the potential risks associated with these electromagnetic fields.
With this in mind, we can help you to prevent worker exposure to electromagnetic fields by providing essential information, practical advice and tailored solutions.
Compliance with regulatory limits
Do you want to comply with the regulatory limits set by European Directive 2013/35/EU and implementing decree no. 2016-1074, which defines the rules for preventing worker health threats?
Exposure assessment and measurement
You need an expert in electromagnetic fields with reliable methods for accurately assessing and measuring the level of exposure of your employees in the workplace?
Awareness-raising and training
Do you need an expert to assist you or to present the results of measurements to the Social and Economic Committee (CSE)? Would you also like to benefit from awareness-raising training on the prevention of electromagnetic radiation (E.M.R.)?
MANAGING ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
Exem's response
Since the 1st of January 2017 in accordance with the implementation of the decree no. 2016-1074, employers must assess the risk to their employees and ensure compliance with the limit levels defined by the regulations in place. Equipment likely to emit electromagnetic fields must be identified and measurements must be taken if there is a risk of regulatory levels being exceeded.
At Exem, we manage the challenges related to worker exposure in the tertiary sector for employers. That’s why we support you in your prevention efforts, by making it a point of honour to make your authorised personnel (CSR, QSE, QHSE managers, etc.) aware of the risks, in accordance with the “non-binding guide to good practice for the implementation of Directive 2013/35/EU” drawn up by the European Commission.
01
Whether they are switched off or in operation, the equipment in our offices can emit high and low frequency fields. This may include IT, communications and wireless equipment (computers, servers,
monitors, printers, scanners, photocopiers, routers, Wi-Fi repeaters, DECT phones, smartphones, tablets, etc.) as well as electrical appliances and wiring (lamps, fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, microwave ovens, coffee makers, electrical circuits, etc.).
02
Employees at particular risk
Certain groups of workers are considered to be exposed to a particular risk from electromagnetic fields. It is therefore necessary for their employers to examine their exposure separately, although they are normally
protected by compliance with the reference levels defined in Recommendation 1999/519/EC. These may include workers wearing active implanted medical devices, passive implanted medical devices containing metal, medical devices worn directly on the body, or pregnant workers.
03
The direct or indirect effects of electromagnetic fields on people depend primarily on frequency and intensity, although other factors, such as the shape of the wave, may also be important
in certain situations. Some fields stimulate the sensory organs, nerves or muscles, while others cause tissue to heat up. Undesirable effects can also occur due to the presence of objects in the field that may pose a safety or health risk.
Download our white paper on worker exposure to electromagnetic fields
MANAGING ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
Our solutions in detail
To manage your employees’ electromagnetic environment as effectively as possible, it is vital to identify the sources of fields in the workplace and assess the associated risks, particularly for employees at particular risk (wearers of active implanted medical devices, pregnant women, etc.).
As a COFRAC-accredited laboratory using the ANFR measurement protocol, we can help you bring your offices into compliance with electromagnetic field requirements, in accordance with Decree 2016-1074 and the EMC Directive, and much more.
Sources identification
We identify all the equipment, situations and activities in commercial workplaces likely to generate electromagnetic fields to determine which comply with the EMC Directive and which require more detailed assessment.
High & low frequency measurements
We use equipment adapted to the nature of the field, the frequency band of the emissions and the shape of the signals, taking into account the relevant physical quantities, frequencies and amplitudes as well as spatial and temporal characteristics.
EMF Supervision Indoor
We offer Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) departments our EMF Supervision Indoor solution. This involves installing electromagnetic field measurement sensors in offices to monitor workers' exposure to radio frequency waves (Wi-Fi, indoor mobile telephony terminals, etc.) in real time.
Risk assessment
We identify which of the exposure limit values and action values are relevant to the work situation. If one of the values is likely to be exceeded, we determine the preventive measures and means.
NETWORK Indoor Map
As part of the management of exposure to electromagnetic fields, we also offer services to monitor the quality of network coverage inside your buildings. Quality coverage helps to reduce the emission of electromagnetic waves radiated by the mobile devices used by your employees.
We can help you
UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING
FAQs
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields in offices.
Direct effects are defined as changes that occur in a person as a result of exposure to an electromagnetic field. The EMC directive focuses exclusively on well-understood effects based on known mechanisms. It distinguishes between sensory effects and health effects, which are considered more serious. The direct effects are as follows:
- dizziness and nausea due to static magnetic fields (generally associated with movement, but can also occur in stationary mode),
- effects on sensory organs, nerves and muscles due to low-frequency fields (up to 100 kHz),
- heating of the whole body or certain parts of the body due to high-frequency fields (10 MHz and above). Above a few GHz, heating is increasingly limited to the surface of the body,
- effects on nerves, muscles and heating caused by intermediate frequencies (100 kHz-1 MHz).
These could be workers with pacemakers and defibrillators, cochlear implants, brainstem implants, inner ear prostheses, neurostimulators, retinal encoders or implanted infusion pumps.
European Directive 2013/35/EU concerns electromagnetic fields and lays down minimum rules for the protection of workers from risks to their health and safety related to exposure to electromagnetic fields in the workplace. It applies to all sectors of activity where workers may be exposed to electromagnetic fields, such as telecommunications, industry, research, healthcare, etc.
Employers are required to carry out a risk assessment to determine the exposure of workers to electromagnetic fields. This includes identifying sources of electromagnetic fields, measuring exposure levels and assessing the risks to workers’ health and safety.
The directive sets exposure limit values for workers, defined in terms of power density and electric and magnetic fields. These limit values are based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Based on the results of the risk assessment, employers must take appropriate preventive and protective measures to reduce workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields. This may include technical measures, organisational adaptations, the use of personal protective equipment, etc.
Employers must provide adequate training for workers on the risks associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields, and on the preventive and protective measures to be taken.
