Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on Merchant and Fishing Vessels

This consultation relates to implementation of directive 2013/35/EU on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from electromagnetic fields (EMF directive). This directive is due to come into force on 1st July 2016.

This consultation does not cover any work on the directive for land-based industry as this is being taken forward by The Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Employment and Labour, Northern Ireland.

The EMF directive lays down minimum requirements for the protection of workers from risks to their health and safety arising, or likely to arise, from exposure to EMFs with frequencies up to 300 gigahertz. It requires duty holders to assess the levels of EMF to which their workers may be exposed against a set of specific thresholds.

Employers will have a responsibility to ensure that employees are not exposed to electromagnetic field levels in excess of the ELVs. Employers will be responsible for carrying out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the levels of electromagnetic fields to which employees may be exposed.