RF Controlled Exposure Hazards

1
RF Controlled Exposure Hazards

• Only Competent People can work in RF Controlled
  Areas

2
1996 Rulemaking
mW/cm2
MPE LAW
100
30
10
Controlled
6 Min TWA
5
Both EH Below 300MHz
1
Uncontrolled
.2
30Min TWA
FM
AM
Cellphones
0.3 1 3 10 30 100 300 1
3 10 30 100
MHz
GHz
3
General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure
Applies to situations in which the public may
be exposed or in which persons who are exposed as
a part of their employment who may have not been
made fully aware of the potential for exposure or
cannot exercise control over their exposure.
4
Controlled Exposure Hazards
Controlled/Occupational Environment (Trained
Workers Only)

• Controlled environments are locations where there
  is exposure that may be incurred by persons who
  are made fully aware of the potential for
  exposure and can exercise control over their
  exposure.
• Workers and the public have the Right to Know
  about RF hazards. Compliance is now Mandated by
  the MPE Law Requirements.

5
FCC Statement 6/ 30/03

• We explain in a note to Section 1.1310 of our
  rules that fully aware means that an exposed
  individual has received written and verbal
  information concerning the potential for RF
  exposure and has received training regarding
  appropriate work practices relating to
  controlling or mitigating his or her exposure
  for instance, appropriate signage. We .
  specify that exercise control means that an
  exposed individual is able to reduce or avoid
  exposure by administrative or engineering work
  practices, such as use of PPE or time-averaging
  of exposure.
• See OSHA CFR 1910.1020)

6
Controlled the Safety Definition is NOT JUST A
LOCKED GATE OR DOOR Workers Must be Trained
before passing through.
7
Controlled HAS FOUR THINGS

• Security
• Exercise control with training SAFETY
• The Site Must have MPE Data this is the Exposure
  in of MPE. Controlled as a Standard
  INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
• RF Site Signage

8

• Exercise control means that an exposed
  individual is able to reduce or avoid exposure
  (How to do this, must be covered in the training)
• Must have RF Safety training before passing
  through

9

The Site Must have MPE Data

• If working in a Controlled/Occupational Area
  Everyone must be Fully Aware of their exposure
  potential and can exercise control of their
  exposure.

10
1910.1020 Access to employee exposure and medical
records

• The purpose is to prove employees a right of
  access to relevant exposure
• 1910.1020 c (5) (I) Requires Workplace
  monitoring or measuring of harmful physical agent
  relevant to interpretation of the results
  obtained
• 1910.1020 c 8 Exposure or exposed means that an
  employee is subjected to harmful physical agent
  in the course of employment through any route of
  entry (contact or absorption), and includes past
  exposure and potential exposure
• Whenever an employee requests access, the
  employer shall provide data

11
Controlled Exposure

• Controlled Exposure is when someone is in an
  area with 100 MPE for 6 minutes.
• Or 200 for 3 minutes
• Higher level of security (Site Control)
• Note If employees are in areas above 100 Your
  Safety Plan must outline how the employee is to
  avoid MPE exposure

12
1996 Rulemaking
mW/cm2
MPE LAW
100
30
10
Controlled
6 Min TWA
5
Both EH Below 300MHz
1
Uncontrolled
.2
30Min TWA
FM
AM
Cellphones
0.3 1 3 10 30 100 300 1
3 10 30 100
MHz
GHz
13
YOU MUST HAVE TRAINING TO WORK HERE
14
What OSHA says about safety training when
employees have exposure

• 1910.1020 (c)(13) Toxic substance or harmful
  physical agent means any chemical substance,
  biological agent, or physical stress ( noise,
  heat, cold, vibration, repetitive motion,
  ionizing and non-ionizing radiation). The
  uncontrolled criteria is OSHAs action limit
• 1910,1020 (g)(1)Upon an employees first entering
  into employment, and at least annually
  thereafter, each employer shall inform current
  employees .(g)(1)(i) The existence, location,
  and availability of any records.

15
Only Competent people can work in RF Controlled
areas

• CFR 1926.21
• Competent person means one who is capable of
  identifying existing and predictable hazards and
  who has authorization to take prompt corrective
  measures to eliminate them.

16
Safety OSHA Standards

• Its Your Job Per OSHA After you have determine
  the hazard, it is up to a competent person to do
  the work and Qualified person to determine how to
  mitigate that hazard.

17
Questions?