MONITORING EMF FOR EMPLOYEE SAFETY – WORKPLACE EMF AND ACTIVE IMPLANT MEDICAL DEVICES

Over 10% of Australians have some form of active implant medical device, also known as AIMD. These can range from cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators to cochlear implants and neurostimulators. Many everyday Australians have these devices in their bodies and participate in the workplace, providing various developed skills and expertise to many industries in Australia.

Across many industries and the Australian landscape, electromagnetic frequencies can be present in the workplace, and often at safe levels for everyday employees. However, for Australians with AIMDs, the standard safe levels of EMF can still interfere with their devices, prompting many industries to consider regular EMF monitoring to ensure employee safety.

For many industries where workers must operate in the field, an on-site test and management plan ensures all employees are accounted for and safe in these environments. In Australia, there are two distinct spectrums to monitor for provided by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, ARPANSA. These spectrums:

• The ARPANSA RPS S-1 covering 100kHz to 300GHz, and,
• Low-Frequency ICNIRP Guidelines covering 0Hz to 100kHz.

However, these exposure limits are designed for the general public and occupational exposure, and may not specifically account for the susceptibility of active implant medical devices (AIMDs).

To ensure employees with AIMD are safe, measuring and monitoring EMF in these environments and providing appropriate shielding and precautions are imperative.

Monitoring Local EMF Testing Devices

To provide a basic assessment of the local area for employees, Wavecontrol has a handful of tools to help businesses identify risks for field personnel.

Wavecontrol SMP3

The SMP3 is a portable field-monitoring device capable of monitoring the full spectrum of EMF in a localised environment. The SMP3 features 3-in-1 capability, assessing static fields, low-frequency and RF exposure within the location.

The SMP3 can be used to determine baseline EMF levels across the workplace for reference. When doing so, the OH&S team may consider whether local machinery produces EMF and whether the worst-case scenario of said machinery at maximum power can affect personnel with AIMD.

The SMP3 can be paired with probe options that encompass broad EMF spectra, as well as narrow-bandwidth options tailored to specific measurement applications.

By using the SMP3 in the workplace, you can establish baseline EMF levels in production, generated by local machinery or communications.

WaveMon LF-400

The Wavmon LF-400 is a personal EMF meter designed specifically for DC static to low-frequency EMF ranging from 0Hz to 400kHz. This is a wearable monitor (with arm & chest-mounting options) with pre-programmed alarms that alert the user when they exceed threshold limits, and is particularly useful for team members with AIMD.

By deploying the WavMon LF-400, users with AIMD can be updated in real time if they are in an area that poses a direct risk to their AIMD.

For organisations with operational staff with AIMD, deploying the SMP3 and WavMon LF-400 to conduct field assessments of the workplace or field can provide peace of mind that you aren’t sending your capable staff into an environment blind to the growing EMF risk.

If you’d like to learn more, speak with the helpful ADM team today! Send any questions through via our contact page here or speak directly to the team on 1300 236 467.