Fillable Emf Information Sheet (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

Information Sheet 01 – EMF Info

EMF Information Sheet

1. Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs)

Working in the electricity industry involves exposure to electric and magnetic fields. This information

sheet gives you the necessary information on how your safety from these EMFs is ensured.

What are EMFs and what do they do?

EMFs are produced wherever there are currents or voltages, and the higher the current or voltage,

and the closer you are to it, the higher the EMFs. At high enough levels, they can interfere with the

action of nerves, which is clearly undesirable. The first symptom you would expect to see is a

flickering sensation round the outside of your vision. High levels of EMFs are found only in

operational areas – lines, cables, substations, etc – not general office environments. Electric fields

can also have indirect effects – making the hairs on your arm vibrate, or producing a tiny spark on

contact with a metal object. Any symptoms are experienced instantaneously – there are no

cumulative or long-term effects.

2. How are you protected against EMFs?

Independent experts (the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation) set exposure limits,

incorporating a safety factor, which are incorporated into UK Regulations via an EU Directive. The

electricity industry assesses all operational activities and ensures they comply with these exposure

limits. Because your exposure is always below the exposure limits, no harmful effects of EMFs on

nerves can occur, and there are no known harmful effects of EMFs at levels below the exposure

limits.

3. Where can I find out more?

The electricity industry’s Risk Assessment, with detailed information on exposures covering all

operational activities, is available online at

4. What if I have questions or concerns?

If you think you may have experienced any symptoms from exposure to EMFs, or you have

questions or concerns, your company’s contact for EMF issues is given at the end of this information

sheet. They will involve Occupational Health if that is necessary.

5. Do I need health surveillance if I am exposed to EMFs?

No. Health surveillance is only needed in the event of significant over-exposure (which should, of

course, never happen) and is not needed routinely.

6. What if I have a medical device?

Passive medical devices – pins, nails, plates etc – should not pose any problem. But active medical

devices – pacemakers, defibrillators, insulin pumps etc – can experience interference at levels

below the exposure limits, and this could sometimes be serious. If you have such a device and work

in an operation area where there may be high EMFs, you must inform your manager, who will

Energy Networks Association

6th Floor, Dean Bradley House, 52 Horseferry Road London, SW1P 2AF

+44 (0)20 7706 5100

@EnergyNetworks

Energy Networks Association Ltd is a company registered in England & Wales. No. 04832301

Emf Information Sheet Page 2