© CEEMET publication 2011 Employment and Social Affairs Committee - 5 October 2011 Terry Woolmer 1

 Who are CEEMET?  What is EMF?  The Precautionary Principle  Impact Assessment  Guiding principles  Unintended Consequences  Is Directive fit for purpose? 2CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

 CEEMET represents the interests of employers’ organisations in the metal, engineering and technology-based (MET) industries from 22 countries  CEEMET strongly support effective management of health and safety risks to ensure worker protection. 3CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

 Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) - a type of natural or man made non-ionising radiation created when electrical energy is used.  Everyday EMF sources include telecommunications, microwave ovens and electricity transmission and distribution.  Electric fields created by differences in voltage: Higher voltages = stronger electric fields. Electric fields exist even when there is no current flowing.  Magnetic fields created when electric current flows: Higher currents= stronger magnetic fields.  What are the effects on the Human Body? 4CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

 Precautionary Principle?  Health and Safety Framework Directive 89/391/EEC already regulates EMF 5CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

 Failure to identify, quantify or monetize Health and Safety benefits  Costs based on different requirements and action levels  Vailidity of original cost projections  Number of businesses affected 6CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

 Coverage of all sectors  Clear definition of adverse health effects  Inclusion of Limit values  Use of Zoning  Simplification of Risk Assessment  Flexibility in a controlled environment  Medical Surveillance 7CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

 Action values and exposure limit values are likely to be exceeded for common manufacturing processes:  Midfrequency pulsed resistance welding  Midfrequency pulsed arc welding  High power single phase resistance welding  Other?  Incorrect action values for hand exposures 8CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

 Have the working group met its guiding principles?  Status of theRegulatory Impact assessment?  Does Harm Exist?  Can employers apply the Directive?  Does it prevent unintended consequences? 9CEEMET - Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries

© CEEMET publication 2011 For further information: Terry Woolmer 10