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Health and Safety Review March 2026

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are present in virtually every home and workplace arising from ordinary electrical equipment and installations. They can also be generated by specialist equipment such as MRI scanners, electrical welding, diathermy equipment, radar or radio transmitters, or powerful electromagnets, for example, on a crane for lifting scrap metal.

In most workplaces, EMFs will not cause any risk but, in some cases, special precautions are needed due to the nature of the equipment used or due to the increased vulnerability of some people. Such increased vulnerability can be due to, for example, wearing a heart pacemaker or similar device or being pregnant. Employees working with explosive and flammable materials may also be at risk due to an EMF causing ignition or triggering an explosion.

EMFs at high levels can cause direct health effects such as heating or burns (for example, by the use of electrical welding or diathermy equipment). They may also cause electric shocks or affect the central nervous system. Sensory effects such as nausea, vertigo or a metallic taste in the mouth may also be caused. EMFs may also cause what are known as indirect effects such as a metallic object being dragged into a magnetic field causing it to hit people on the way. For example, MRI scanners and large electromagnets used on cranes to pick up scrap metal can result in objects flying towards them.

The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 specify Exposure Limit Values (ELVs) above which employees should generally not be exposed (there are some exceptions for MRI scanners where the employer takes action to limit exposure to ELVs). The regulations also lay down Action Levels for EMFs which, if they are not exceeded, the Exposure Limit Values will not be exceeded and there is little risk of effects except to employees at particular risk as outlined above.

The regulations place duties on employers to undertake an exposure assessment in order to determine whether any further action is needed in relation to their employees or workplace. In most cases, little further action is required. However, where there are specialist equipment or activities which could give rise to high levels of EMF, then the employer will need to take a number of actions as outlined below.

If you know that you are particularly vulnerable to EMFs because, for example, you have a medical implant, body worn medical device or a heart pacemaker, then you should tell your employer so that they can take action to ensure you are not put at risk. You should also tell your employer if you are pregnant so that any necessary steps are taken to protect you and your unborn child.

Under the regulations employers are required to:

• Undertake an exposure assessment and if they have five or more employees record it
• Take action to limit exposure to EMFs below the Exposure Limit Values (ELVs) or put an Action Plan in place to control exposure
• Undertake a risk assessment where ELVs could be exceeded, where there are employees at particular risk or where indirect effect Action Levels are exceeded
• Produce an Action Plan where a risk assessment indicates ELVs are likely to be exceeded and implement it
• Take action to reduce or eliminate risks identified by the risk assessment
• Provide employee training and information where relevant
• Provide access to health surveillance where health effect ELVs are exceeded and employees report experiencing effects

Identify the risk

• Do you work with equipment producing EMFs such as MRI scanners, diathermy equipment, induction heating equipment, electric welding equipment or near high voltage powerlines?
• Has your employer undertaken an exposure assessment and outlined what action you need to take?
• Have you informed your employer if you could be at particular risk due to medical implants or body worn medical devices, or you are pregnant so your employer can take any additional steps necessary?
• Are you aware of any special rules which apply to the work you undertake relating to EMFs, for example, avoiding ferrous metallic equipment (i.e. steel wheelchairs or floor scrubbing machines) being taken into an MRI scanning room?
• If you are exposed to significant levels of EMFs, do you know the arrangements for reporting any effects you notice to your employer and the arrangements for health surveillance?