Mitigation measures of electromagnetic field exposure in the vicinity of high frequency welders.

Medycyna pracy · 2017 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 4904

Study snapshot

PublicationMedycyna pracy · 2017

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Presented information about the welding process and equipment, focusing on the emission of electromagnetic field (EMF) with levels significant in terms of the labor safety regulations in force in Poland - the ordinances of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy that came into force on June 27, 2016 and June 29, 2016 - emerged due to harmonization with European Union directive 2013/35/EU of 26 June 2013 of the European Parliament and the Council. They presented methods of determination of the EMF distribution in the welding machine surroundings and analyzed the background knowledge from the available literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subject of the analysis included popular high frequency welders widely used in the industry. Electromagnetic field measurements were performed in the welder operating place (in situ) during machine normal operations, using measurement methods accordant with labor safety regulations in force in Poland and according to the same guidelines, the EMF distributions and parameters having been described. RESULTS: They presented various scenarios of particular, real examples of excessive exposure to EMF in the dielectric welder surroundings and showed solutions, ranging from simple and costless and ending on dedicated electromagnetic shielding systems, which allowed to reduce EMF exposure in some cases of more than 80% (protection zone ranges) or eliminate dangerous zone presence. CONCLUSIONS: It has shown that in the dielectric welders surrounding, significant EMF strength levels may be the result of errors or omissions which often occur during development, installation, operation or modification of welding machines. It has allowed to present the measures that may significantly reduce the exposure to EMF of workers in the welder surroundings. The role of accredited laboratories in helping in such cases was underlined. Med Pr 2017;68(6):693-703.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationWorkers in the vicinity of high frequency (dielectric) welders (industrial setting)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In situ measurements around commonly used high frequency (dielectric) welders identified real scenarios of excessive EMF exposure in the welder surroundings. Implemented mitigation measures (from simple changes to dedicated shielding systems) reduced EMF exposure in some cases by more than 80% in terms of protection zone ranges or eliminated the presence of a dangerous zone.

Outcomes measured

Electromagnetic field (EMF) levels/distribution around high frequency welders
Occurrence/extent of excessive exposure zones per Polish labor safety regulations
Reduction in exposure/protection zone ranges after mitigation (e.g., shielding)

Limitations

No frequency, quantitative field values, or detailed measurement results are provided in the abstract
Sample size/number of welders and workplaces assessed is not stated
Mitigation effectiveness is described for "some cases" without specifying how many or under what conditions

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Workers in the vicinity of high frequency (dielectric) welders (industrial setting)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electromagnetic field (EMF) levels/distribution around high frequency welders",
    "Occurrence/extent of excessive exposure zones per Polish labor safety regulations",
    "Reduction in exposure/protection zone ranges after mitigation (e.g., shielding)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In situ measurements around commonly used high frequency (dielectric) welders identified real scenarios of excessive EMF exposure in the welder surroundings. Implemented mitigation measures (from simple changes to dedicated shielding systems) reduced EMF exposure in some cases by more than 80% in terms of protection zone ranges or eliminated the presence of a dangerous zone.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "No frequency, quantitative field values, or detailed measurement results are provided in the abstract",
    "Sample size/number of welders and workplaces assessed is not stated",
    "Mitigation effectiveness is described for \"some cases\" without specifying how many or under what conditions"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "high frequency welders",
    "dielectric welder",
    "occupational exposure",
    "electromagnetic field measurements",
    "in situ",
    "mitigation",
    "shielding",
    "Poland labor safety regulations",
    "EU directive 2013/35/EU"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study measures and mitigates EMF exposure in industrial workplaces around high frequency welders."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.13075/mp.5893.00619
PubMed: 28930303

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