Radiation Safety Handbook JSP 392Leaflet 35Jan 2007 Page 1

LEAFLET 35RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATIONSCONTENTS

Para1 Scope3 Statutory requirements5 MOD mandatory guidance6 Single service instructions and guidanceDuties7 Commanding Officer (CO)8 Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)9 Focal point authorities for radiofrequency radiation10 Hazards11 Reference levelsTable Page1 Single service contact details..........................................................................................................32 Legal and MOD mandatory requirements.......................................................................................4

SCOPE

1 Radiofrequency radiation (RF) is electromagnetic radiation, fields and waves in the frequencyrange 0-300GHz.2 This leaflet details the requirements for the keeping, using and disposal of equipment emittingradiofrequency radiations, or containing components which emit radiofrequency radiations. Suchequipments include: radar, (including countermeasures transmitters) communications apparatus,microwave links, magnetrons, klystrons, diaththermy apparatus, RF induction and dielectric heating, RFwelding, microwave ovens etc. (this list is not exhaustive).

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

3 There is at present no statutory UK legislation specifically concerning exposure to non ionisingradiations. However, a European Directive has been drawn up laying down minimum health and safetyrequirements regarding exposure of workers and members of the public arising from electromagneticfields. This directive will be transposed into statutory legislation by 24 May 2008.4 The general provisions of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and the Management ofHealth and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, do apply. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE),considers compliance with these regulations is achieved if advice given by the Health Protection AgencyRadiological Protection Division (HPA/RPD) (formerly NRPB) is adhered to. This advice considersexposure of workers and the general public and is consistent with the European Councilrecommendations.

MOD MANDATORY GUIDANCE

5 MOD Health & Safety Handbook, JSP 375 Vol. 2, Leaflet 22. Safety in the Use of ElectromagneticFields (EMF).

SINGLE SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDANCE

6 The following single service publications also detail guidance:

JSP 392 Radiation Safety HandbookLeaflet 35Page 2 Jan 20076.1 Royal Navy - BR2924 Radiohazards in the Naval Service, (Vols. 1 and 2).6.2 Royal Air Force - CESO(RAF) Branch Guidance Ref. 01/05.6.3 Army - Army Code No. 63723.

DUTIESCommanding Officer (CO) and Head of Establishment

7 The Commanding Officer (CO) has a duty to the Secretary of State, and a personal responsibility,to protect the environment and secure the health, safety and welfare of their staff at work. The CO isalso required to protect persons not in MOD employment (e.g. members of the public) against risks totheir health and safety arising from the MOD work activities. This includes radiation safety. The CO’sauthority (but not responsibility) for radiation safety management arrangements may be delegated toappropriate personnel, such as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).

Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

8 Radiation Safety Officers are to ensure that they are familiar with the specific radiation hazards atthe establishments or vessels for which they are responsible, and that adequate radiation protectionarrangements are made to minimise the radiation hazards.

FOCAL POINT AUTHORITIES FOR RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION

9 The single service focal point authorities are listed at Table 1.

HAZARDS

10 The perceptible biological effects of exposure to RF radiation are mainly thermal and acute innature. These effects may take the form of warming of the body either through resonance effects orinduced currents. The effects may be mild, such as prickling of the hairs and small static shocks,increasing in severity to large static shocks, through to deep thermal burns which may be caused bygrasping transmitting antennae. Effects similar to tinnitus have been experienced by some exposedpersonnel. RF radiation may, in some cases, cause interference with personal medical devices such aspacemakers and hearing aids. It should be noted however, that biological damage may be caused byexposure to RF radiation which is below the threshold of perception.

REFERENCE LEVELS

11 Reference levels for direct measurement of non ionising radiation are detailed in JSP 375 Vol 2,Leaflet 22 (see Related Leaflets paragraph below). Exposures at or below these levels are to bereduced so far as is reasonably practicable, but are otherwise tolerable and do not require furtherinvestigation. Exposures above reference levels may still conform with HPA/RPD guidance, but must bereferred to the focal point authority for radiation safety listed at Table 1.

Radiation Safety Handbook JSP 392Leaflet 35Jan 2007 Page 3Table 1 Single service contact details

Service Address Telephone

Royal NavyHFSMO/CESO(RN)Room 7 – Lancelot BuildingPostal Point 29HM Naval BasePORTSMOUTHHantsPO1 3NHPSTN 023 9272 4818Mil 9380 24818 PYArmyCESO(Army) – HSWAirfield CampNetheravonSALISBURYSP4 9SFPSTN 01 980 678 584Mil 94 321 8584Royal Air ForceCESO (RAF) CHQRAF High WycombeWalters AshHIGH WYCOMBEBuckinghamshireHP14 4UEPSTN 01 494 495 481Mil 95 221 5481Other/CivilianDstl Environmental Sciences DepartmentInstitute of Naval MedicineCrescent RoadAlverstokeGOSPORTHantsPO12 2DLPSTN 023 92 76 8130Mil 9380 68130PY