Exposure to electromagnetic fields — Directive 2013/35/EU

Work in the immediate vicinity of high-current installations, transformers, or large live switchgear carries not only a direct shock risk, but also exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Directive 2013/35/EU sets minimum requirements for the health and safety of workers exposed to these risks, and has been transposed into Dutch Working Conditions (Arbo) legislation.

The distinction: action levels (AL) and exposure limit values (ELV)

The directive works with two types of limit values:

• Exposure Limit Values (ELV) — threshold values derived from scientifically established health effects (for example nerve stimulation or tissue heating) or from sensory effects (temporary perception disturbances). These must not be exceeded.
• Action Levels (AL) — practically measurable quantities (for example field strength) which, when not exceeded, give a presumption of compliance with the underlying ELV. If the action levels are exceeded, the employer is required to carry out a further risk assessment and take measures where necessary.

The directive furthermore distinguishes low and high action levels, linked respectively to sensory effects and to health effects (including a separate "limb action level" for health effects from nerve stimulation in the arms/legs).

Note: the actual numerical AL/ELV values are strongly frequency-dependent (the directive works with tables that differ per frequency range) — this article provides the assessment framework, not a fixed number that would apply to every situation/frequency. For a concrete work situation, the applicable table value from the directive itself (or the Dutch Arbo implementation) must be consulted.

Why this is relevant to work near electrical installations

For most regular NEN 3140 inspection work on low-voltage installations, EMF exposure is generally not a dominant risk. It does become relevant for:

• Work in the immediate vicinity of large transformers or high-current busbars (for example in a main distribution board of a large horticultural business with its own CHP unit/large-user connection).
• Prolonged presence very close to equipment with strong magnetic fields (certain industrial induction heating equipment, large motors/generators).

Practical consequence

An employer with workers who structurally work near such installations must explicitly include this risk in the risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E) — see also the RI&E work equipment guide for the broader RI&E obligation regarding work equipment. Where necessary, this can result in distance measures, dwell-time limitations, or additional shielding.

Common mistakes

1. Assuming that every electrotechnical activity automatically falls under the AL — for most regular low-voltage work, EMF exposure is in practice not the dominant risk; this mainly plays a role with high-current/high-power installations.
2. Applying a fixed "safe number" for field strength regardless of the frequency of the source — the directive works with frequency-dependent tables, not a universal limit.
3. Not explicitly including EMF risks in the RI&E while there is structural work near high-power installations.

Related

• RI&E and work equipment
• Personal protective equipment — overview