Electromagnetic Fields Measurement and ROA Risk Assessment

We monitor exposure to electromagnetic fields for your health and safety.

Electromagnetic fields are present everywhere in the environment and can be generated by natural or artificial sources. Natural sources are, for example, electrical charges generated during a thunderstorm. Artificial sources, on the other hand, are generated by, for example, household appliances, mobile phones, medical equipment, telecommunications.

Electromagnetic fields can be classified according to the frequency used: low, medium, high. The interaction between humans and electromagnetic fields can generate health risks if certain threshold values are exceeded. To this end, legislation prescribes that exposure limits must be respected at work in order to prevent any harmful effects.

The harmful effects of EMFs can be direct or indirect.

Direct effects are the changes caused in a person by exposure to an electromagnetic field. For example, dizziness and nausea caused by static electromagnetic fields, hearing disturbances from microwaves, effects on sensory organs, nerves and muscles caused by low-frequency fields.

Indirect effects are interferences resulting from the presence of EMFs that may lead to damage to health. For example: interference with equipment and other electronic medical devices (such as hearing aids), interference with equipment and other implantable medical devices (such as pacemakers and defibrillators, orthopaedic prostheses), effects on metal splinters, tattoos, body piercing.

SIGE supports companies in measuring electromagnetic fields, monitoring threshold levels, and assessing exposure risks for workers in their workplaces.

Main Activities

Electromagnetic Fields Risk Assessment - Specific tools and procedures exist to carry out all the surveys necessary to determine EMFs and draw up the EMF DVR. Initiating an assessment makes it possible to identify the extent of the risks to workers and to preserve the safety of those involved by keeping the situation under control.

The methodology applied for the assessment of risks arising from exposure to electromagnetic fields is that defined in Title VIII, Chapter IV, Legislative Decree 81/08. The assessment is carried out in accordance with the standardised European standards of the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC).

First, the areas potentially subject to exposure must be identified. This is followed by an initial assessment phase, which involves a census of workplaces and equipment and an estimation of the possibility of these sources exceeding threshold levels for the exposed worker population.

It is useful to distinguish 'a priori compliant' locations, where there is no equipment that can emit fields above the limit values, and locations where further assessment is required, where on the contrary there are potentially critical situations.

These situations require additional investigations, measurements and surveys to establish the risk of direct or indirect effects and whether the limits defined in the regulations have been exceeded.

Where non-compliance is observed, it is useful to take a series of corrective actions that may include technical measures (shielding, sensitive protective equipment, etc.) organisational measures (access restrictions, signage, staff training, procedures, etc.) and the adoption of appropriate PPE (overalls, eye protection).

ROA Risk - ROA stands for Artificial Optical Radiation, i.e. electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 100nm and 1mm, produced by an artificial source. In general, optical radiation can be subdivided into ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation.

Some examples of artificial optical radiation sources that may pose a risk to the eyes and/or skin of exposed individuals are: Electric arc for welding, Germicidal lamps for sterilisation and disinfection, Polymer photo curing lamps, Tanning lamps, Equipment with IPL sources for medical or aesthetic use, Lasers.

SIGE's specialised technicians, thanks to their expertise and experience, are able to carry out the required measurements using the necessary instrumentation to perform a complete analysis of electromagnetic fields and assess the risk to workers. All investigations are carried out in compliance with the regulations in force and meet the criteria laid down in Legislative Decree 81/08.

To request a quote for electromagnetic field measurements or to obtain more information on the services offered, please fill out the form on the contact page.

What we offer

SIGE helps its customers to:

Measure electromagnetic fields
Monitor compliance with threshold levels
Assess worker exposure (conducted both numerically and with physical electromagnetic field measurements)

and thus provide you with all the tools to remain compliant with exposure limit values and therefore to ensure the health and safety of your people in your working environment.

Regulatory references:

¹ Legislative Decree No. 81/2008, Title VIII, Chapter IV.

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