A European Union (EU) directive setting technical limits on the exposure of
workers to electromagnetism has finally been approved by the EU Council of
Ministers and the European Parliament, following years of debate on the issue.
All workers will be covered by the legislation, which includes rules on the
maximum level of exposure that should be faced by staff working with or near
power lines as well as those working near or with mobile phone and radar
antennae.
The EU legislation implements recommendations on exposure made by the
International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
It gives employers the responsibility to assess exposure limits, to ensure
maximum levels are not exceeded, and to train and inform their workers about
the problem.
The directive covers only the short-term effects of electromagnetic
exposure; information is too scant on long-term effects to legislate, said the
council.
