New induction heating guidance to come into force from July

European Commission Directive highlights minimum health and safety requirements

New induction heating guidance to come into force from July
New Directive to be introduced this year will affect the vehicle repair industry. Image credit: Bigstock.

Set to come into force in the UK from July 2016, the European Commission published Directive 2013/35/EU sets out new rules on the exposure of workers to the risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF’s).

In its latest bulletin, the Independent Garage Association (IGA) has informed members about the new Directive and say that it will affect the vehicle repair industry.

EMF’s are emitted from induction heaters, resistance spot welders, plasma cutters and MIG welders.

What it means for you

From July 1 you will have to assess the exposure to EMF’s but you should not need to measure the EMF produced.

The IGA explains: “A risk assessment and following safe working practices are imperative, which are already requirements under the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999.

“Whilst it is likely that new equipment will eventually be manufactured to reduce the EMF produced during operation, you can continue to use your existing equipment by adopting safe working practices.”Workers can obtain information from the manufacturer of the device and from the medic who completed the implant procedure.

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) may exempt the work activities from the exposure limits stated in the CEMFAW regulations 2016 but workers must be protected from EMF’s.

If your work activity is exempt you will not have to comply with exposure limits in respect of activity, but you will have to meet the exemption conditions.

Exemption conditions
  • Reduce exposure to lowest level reasonably practicable.
  • Produce an action plan to monitor this is achieved.
  • Carry out a risk assessment to cover all equipment subject to EMF’s.
  • Ensure all staff are fully trained in the correct use of this equipment to control exposure to EMF’s.
  • Any new equipment must be installed with Induction training by the supplier or manufacturers.
  • Any new staff must be given Induction training on relevant equipment before use.
  • Produce information for staff to explain EMF’s.

You must give special consideration to staff with active implanted medical devices such as heart pacemakers, as EMF’s could interfere with the correct operation of the implant.

You must also consider staff with metal implants such as orthopaedic joints, pins or plates as it is possible that the implant could become heated or twist in an EMF.

To find out more about the IGA and the benefits of becoming a member call 0845 305 4230 or follow the ‘more details’ link below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Have your say!

1 0

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.