Results of risk assessment for occupational electromagnetic exposures

In 2016, a Hungarian law was introduced in accordance with the valid guidelines of the European Parliament related to the occupational exposures of electromagnetic fields. By this law, it is mandatory to evaluate and assess all the risks of operating equipment with voltage levels above 100 kV or currents above 100 A in the industry. Based on this guideline, experts of Group of High Voltage Technology and Equipment of Budapest University of Technology and Economics have performed several risk assessments based on the prescribed requirements. In several cases, exposures of electric, magnetic and electromagnetics fields have exceeded their limits: not only in case of worst-case simulations, but during on-site measurements, measured range of electric field and magnetic flux density was in the range which requires additional protection. To reduce risks to acceptable levels, practically applicable ways of protection must be prescribed to guarantee the requested level of safety, like improved medical examinations, restriction of approach or additional personal protective gears. Based on the results, industrial processes were modified, best practices have been declared, and critical activities were reported for the government - as requested by the guideline. The main aim of the introduction of these results is to highlight the importance of this topic, to assess the so-called "invisible" sources of dangers which are unfortunately often neglected. It is also crucial to introduce the basics and typical ranges of electromagnetic exposures for the employees of the affected facilities. Education, as a second step, is also an important part of this job. This paper summarizes the typical scenarios and magnitudes of exposures in case of occupational applications. Key data of analysis and basis of risk assessment was the measured electric field and magnetic flux density values compared to the current limits prescribed in the territory of the EU.