Abstract

Overview

Workers in occupational settings face diverse sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF), requiring comprehensive risk assessments not only for operators but for all personnel including service and maintenance workers, bystanders, and visitors.

Review of ICNIRP 2020 Guidelines

The current guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are scrutinized for their applicability in the European Union occupational settings, with a detailed discussion of their fundamentals and practical assessments.

• Introduction to ICNIRP's foundational principles and assessment practices.
• Discussion of gaps in occupational practices, such as environmental impacts and physical activities.

Concluding Remarks

The article highlights the discrepancies between standard guidelines and real-world occupational practices, urging for enhancements in guidelines that would better support risk assessments in harsh occupational environments.

While EMF exposure limits are notably higher in occupational settings compared to those for the general public, the paper underscores the need for clear legislations and practical guidelines that seamlessly integrate into occupational safety and health assessments.

The necessity of adjusting guidelines to cover non-adverse effects such as the microwave hearing effects in occupational health legislation is emphasized for a comprehensive occupational risk assessment.

Closing Thoughts

Conservatism in guidelines is advocated to ensure all occupational scenarios are safely addressed, promoting a reliable basis for evaluation and enhancing worker safety in relation to RF EMF exposures.