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Document ID (ISN)112552
CIS number 12-0287
ISSN - Serial title 0007-9952 - Cahiers de notes documentaires - Hygiène et sécurité du travail
Year 2011
Convention or series no. ND 2350-225-11
Author(s) Démaret P., Donati P.
Title Integrating electromagnetic radiation hazard into the unique occupational risk management document
Original title Intégrer le risque "rayonnements électromagnétiques" dans le document unique d'évaluation des risques professionnels [in French]
Bibliographic information Dec. 2011, No.225, p.45-53. Illus. 4 ref.
Internet access Intégrer_le_risque_rayonnements_électromagnétiques_[INTERNET_FREE_ACCESS] [in French]
Abstract The number of industrial applications involving electromagnetic radiation has significantly increased in recent years. These applications are likely to expose operators to electromagnetic fields exceeding the limits laid down by European Parliament and Council Directive 2004/40/EC. A survey was carried out to identify the types of equipment emitting the most radiation, which were then classified into eight types: resistance welding, magnetization, induction heating, magnetoscopy, dielectric loss welding, electrolysis, magnetic resonance imagery and microwaves. The number of installations by type was estimated by a market survey, which specifically identified several tens of thousands of resistance welding or magnetization machines. This survey enabled the deduction that at least 100,000 operators in France are at risk of exposure to electromagnetic fields. An assessment of exposure levels for operators at their workstations was undertaken for each equipment type. Electromagnetic fields were measured at 635 workstations fitted with radiation emitting machinery. For each measurement, a severity index corresponding to the ratio of the measured value to the action-triggering value (ATV) recommended by Council Directive 2004/40/EC was calculated. The results show that, for seven equipment types out of the eight which were evaluated, 25-50% of measurements resulted in electromagnetic field values exceeding the corresponding ATV. These findings demonstrate the need for prevention. In most cases, exposure reduction is achieved by moving the workstation away from the radiation source. Technical solutions do exist for certain types of equipment, such as shielding for microwave ovens and high-frequency presses.
Descriptors (primary) France; non-ionizing radiation; electromagnetic fields; exposure evaluation; job-exposure relation
Descriptors (secondary) electrical equipment; welding and cutting; limitation of exposure; permissible levels; comment on directive
Document type D - Periodical articles
Subject(s) Radiation
Broad subject area(s) Physical hazards
Browse category(ies) Exposure evaluation
Electromagnetic fields
Non-ionizing radiation