The Control of Electro Magnetic Fields at Work Regulations (CEMFAW)

In this section
In This Section

    Background

    The European Union Physical Agents Directive concerning worker exposure to Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs) was formally adopted in June 2013 with a transposition date of 1st July 2016. The Directive covers the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from EMFs.

    Derogations

    The Directive includes a derogation for activities related to the installation, testing, use, development, maintenance of or research related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment for patients in the health sector, from the exposure limit values, (ELVs) subject to certain conditions.

    There are also conditional derogations for the military and a general temporary conditional derogation for specific activities subject to agreement with the overseeing authority for each member state.

    Transposition

    The directive was transposed into law on 1st July 2016 as The Control of Electro Magnetic Fields at Work (CEMFAW) Regulations

    HSE oversee this for England Scotland and Wales and HSENI are responsible for Northern Ireland.   Both organisations have only introduced new requirements from the directive that go beyond current UK legislation.
     

    England, Scotland and Wales

    Northern Ireland

    Exemptions

    The CEMFAW Regulations (regulation 13(1)) grant HSE and HSENI power to exempt employers from the exposure limits contained in the regulations. Any exemption will be subject to safety conditions.

    If an activity is exempt, employers must ensure that:

    • exposure is as low as is reasonably practical
    • employees are protected against health effects and safety risks arising from that exposure.

    Employers will not be required to use measurements or calculations in their exposure assessment, or undertake an action plan, in relation to activities that are included in the exemption. All other requirements of the regulations still apply to that work activity.

    Employers must still carry out risk assessments and ensure that workers are given appropriate information and training.

    Risk assessment templates are freely available to download from the BIR webpage.
     

    Exemption certificates

    HSE and HSENI have published exemption certificates containing information about activities which are exempt (under general temporary conditional derogation).

    Available online:

    Further information

    Further information regarding the regulations and exemptions is available on the following HSE and HSENI web pages:

     

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