Stephen Simms is RF Safety Specialist at Leonardo in Edinburgh. His role is focused on radio frequency( RF) and electromagnetic field( EMF) safety, building on nearly two decades of experience in highly technical roles within telecommunications, aerospace and defence industries. He is a member of SRP ' s EMFOR Committee.

An introduction to CEMFAW CEMFAW stands for the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations, and is the UK legislation designed to protect workers from health risks associated with electromagnetic fields( EMFs). The regulations define an EMF as“ a static electric, static magnetic and time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic field with a frequency of up to 300 GHz”.

EMFs occur naturally and are generated whenever electricity is used. Sources can be grouped as:

• Intentional – eg antenna-based systems for broadcasting, telecommunications, radar

• Unintentional – eg generated by vibration, induction heating, welding equipment

Exposure to high EMF levels can lead to potentially harmful health effects, categorised as:

• Direct – eg radio frequency( RF) thermal heating effects

• Indirect – eg interference with body-worn or implanted medical devices

How CEMFAW was established Before CEMFAW was introduced in 2016, the UK lacked specific EMF exposure legislation. Employers had a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to protect workers from all risks. These did not mention EMFs, leaving employers to determine if their sources were hazardous, and how to manage the risk.

Guidance from the National Radiological Protection Board( NRPB) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection( ICNIRP) was available, but not legally enforceable. This gap prompted the need for a dedicated regulatory framework.

The European Union introduced the EMF Directive 2013 / 35 / EU, which mandated member states to implement clear exposure limits and risk management procedures. CEMFAW was the UK ' s response to this, bringing EMF safety into formal regulation.

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