On 30 March 2004 the European Parliament adopted a new Directive to protect the health and safety of workers against the dangers of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
The Parliament, at second reading adopted only 5 amendments to the Council’s common position – and these amendments are apparently acceptable to the Council. Member States will have four years to enact the Directive into national law.
The Directive lays down maximum values for exposure to electromagnetic fields to protect the health of workers against all known short-term harmful effects. It also establishes reference values above which employers must take preventive measures, and includes provisions to ensure that workers are given information and training.
MEPs have called for stricter medical surveillance measures, for example if a worker’s exposure may have exceeded the limit values, they must have the right to a medical examination. This is critical because internal lesions resulting from overexposure can often only be detected by a health professional.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields can cause shocks, burns and absorption of thermal energy. The workers most affected are those in heavy industries such as steel and other metal industries. Other categories affected are people working long hours near TV and radio broadcasting equipment, radar equipment and mobile phone masts, and even cash desk operators exposed for lengthy periods to the anti-theft devices used in shops.
