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BackThis week, the European Parliament adopted new rules to improve the safety of workers who are exposed to electromagnetic fields. The legislative text, which had been already informally agreed with the Council, contains new international limits; however, it also allows branch-specific exceptions, such as the use of the magnetic resonance technique in the medical sector. Employers are obliged to assess and to reduce risks.
New rules apply to all branches
The new rules shall apply to all branches; however, in particular to workers who are exposed to high risks, for example in the heavy metal industry, such as steel or metal processing, or employees who spend considerable time working close to television or radio transmitters or radar units. Apart from that, the new rules oblige employers to assess all risks for employees, which are caused by electromagnetic fields in the workplace, and to take all necessary measures to reduce these, for example by locking devices, screening or comparable health and safety devices.
Informing works councils and employees about risks has to be mandatory
It is important that the adopted Directive provides for employers to be obliged to provide employees who are exposed to radiation and the competent works councils with the information and training required, in particular in respect of the result of the risk assessment; it also obliges employers to provide information on measures they are taking to guarantee that employees are working in a safe environment. Employees and workers also have the right to a health check.
Further steps: the Directive has to become national law from 1 June 2016
Concerning the publication in the official journal of the EU on 1 July 2013, the law must be formally adopted by the Council before the end of June. Commencing on 1 June 2016 it will be mandatory for all Member States to transpose the new rules in national law.
Further information:
Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields Felder)
The new rules shall apply to all branches; however, in particular to workers who are exposed to high risks, for example in the heavy metal industry, such as steel or metal processing, or employees who spend considerable time working close to television or radio transmitters or radar units. Apart from that, the new rules oblige employers to assess all risks for employees, which are caused by electromagnetic fields in the workplace, and to take all necessary measures to reduce these, for example by locking devices, screening or comparable health and safety devices.
Informing works councils and employees about risks has to be mandatory
It is important that the adopted Directive provides for employers to be obliged to provide employees who are exposed to radiation and the competent works councils with the information and training required, in particular in respect of the result of the risk assessment; it also obliges employers to provide information on measures they are taking to guarantee that employees are working in a safe environment. Employees and workers also have the right to a health check.
Further steps: the Directive has to become national law from 1 June 2016
Concerning the publication in the official journal of the EU on 1 July 2013, the law must be formally adopted by the Council before the end of June. Commencing on 1 June 2016 it will be mandatory for all Member States to transpose the new rules in national law.
Further information:
Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields Felder)