ORIGINAL PAPER
Mitigation measures of electromagnetic field exposure
in the vicinity of high frequency welders
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Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
(Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Teleinformatics Department)
Online publication date: 2017-09-20
Corresponding author
Bartłomiej Zubrzak
Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Electronics,
Telecommunications and Teleinformatics Department, Janiszewskiego 9, 50-372 Wrocław, Poland
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2017;68(6):693-703
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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