The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Exposure Limit Values – non-thermal effects

Table ELV1 - ELVs for exposure to electromagnetic fields from 0 to 1 Hz

	Sensory effect ELVs – magnetic flux density (B0) [T]
Head and trunk	2
Limbs	8
	Health effect ELV – magnetic flux density (B0) [T]
Any part of the body	8

Note

   The sensory effect ELVs may be exceeded during an employee’s shift where the employer ensures that—

(a) they are only exceeded temporarily;

(b) protection measures have been adopted which minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, the sensory effects related to movement in static magnetic fields, including nausea and vertigo;

(c) adequate information is provided to the employee on the possibility of those sensory effects; and

(d) where any of those sensory effects are reported to the employer, the exposure assessment under regulation 5, and the protection measures, are updated where necessary.

Table ELV2 - Health effect ELVs for exposure to electromagnetic fields from 1 Hz to 10 MHz

Frequency range	Health effect ELVs – internal electric field strength (E) [Vm-1]
1 Hz ≤ f < 3 kHz	1.1
3 kHz ≤ f ≤ 10 MHz	3.8 × 10-4 f

Notes

1.  The ELVs are limits for electric fields induced in the body from exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields.

2.  The ELVs are spatial peak values in the entire body of the employee.

3.  Note 2 to Table AL1 applies in relation to methods of determining exposure.

Table ELV3 - Sensory effect ELVs for exposure to electromagnetic fields from 1 to 400 Hz

Frequency range	Sensory effect ELVs – internal electric field strength in the head (E) [Vm-1]
1 ≤ f < 10 Hz	0.7/f
10 ≤ f < 25 Hz	0.07
25 ≤ f ≤ 400 Hz	0.0028 f

Notes

1.  The ELVs are spatial peak values induced in the head of the exposed employee, and can arise from exposure to either external electric or external magnetic fields.

2.  The ELVs may be exceeded during an employee’s shift where the employer ensures that—

(a) they are only exceeded temporarily;

(b) hazardous spark discharges, and contact currents in excess of those in Table AL5, are prevented through the provision of information and training under regulation 10 and the use of suitable technical and personal protection measures;

(c) adequate information is provided to the employee on the possibility of sensory effects related to time-varying magnetic fields, including retinal phosphenes; and

(d) where any of those sensory effects are reported to the employer, the risk assessment is updated where necessary.

3.  Note 2 to Table AL1 applies in relation to methods of determining exposure.