Nonionizing radiation (NIR) safety program

Microsoft established the Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) Safety Program to comply with applicable regulations such as OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control. Additional state and local regulations may also apply. The Program also includes guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA). Hazards may include acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye, nervous and immune systems.

This Program is applicable to all Microsoft employees and external staff in areas where NIR is present. The Program defines the requirements for proper training of employees and external staff to ensure they have the requisite knowledge and understanding of safe work practices and procedures while performing these operations.

1.1 Hazard Overview

NIR is the term given to radiation in the part of the electromagnetic spectrum where there is insufficient energy to cause ionization. Ionization is one of the principal ways that radiation, such as charged particles and x-rays, transfers its energy to matter. NIR is produced from a variety of sources in the workplace. These sources produce NIR in the electromagnetic spectrum of wavelengths/frequencies ranging from static fields to 100 nanometers (nm)/ 0 Hertz (Hz) to 1016 Hz. Lasers and magnetic fields also emit NIR and are discussed in the Microsoft Laser Safety and Magnetic Fields Safety Programs.

Overexposure to non-ionizing radiation depends on the frequency and intensity of the fields, the duration of exposure, the distance from the source, and any shielding or enclosures that may be used.

NIR is sub-grouped into different frequency or wavelength bands. The different subgroups have different effects on the body and require different protection measures. The figure below illustrates different types of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources.

Type of Radiation Effects

Common types of NIR include, but are not limited to:

• Infrared (IR)

• Visible Light

• Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)

• Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave (MW)

• Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)

1.1.1 Infrared (IR)

IR radiation is commonly sub-grouped as IR-A (760-1400 nm), IR-B (1400nm – 3000nm), and IR-C (3000nm – 1mm). IR hazards include heating of deep body tissue, thermal skin burns and eye damage.

1.1.2 Visible Light

Visible light of short wavelength (blue light) may cause a photochemical injury to the retina, called photoretinitis or blue light hazard. Blue light has wavelengths from 400-480 nm. Blue light (visible radiation) retinal injury (photochemically induced photoretinopathy) can result from viewing either an extremely bright light for a short duration or a less bright light for a longer duration. The effect depends on the dose (i.e., the radiant exposure). Laboratory studies demonstrated that photochemical injury from exposures on the order of 10 seconds to 1-2 hours in duration is related to absorption of radiation whose wavelengths are in the range 380 nm to 520 nm. This is usually referred to as blue light hazard.

Types of damage to the eye and skin may be caused by visible and infrared optical radiation

1.1.3 Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)

UVR occupies that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from 100-400 nm. Because of differences in biological effects, UVR radiation is commonly sub-grouped as UV-A (315-400 nm), UV-B (280-315 nm), and UV-C (100-280 nm). Hazards of most concern regarding UVR are possible damage to the eye and skin from acute exposures and increased risk of cancer from chronic exposure.

1.1.4 Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave (MW)

RF radiation refers to electromagnetic fields with frequencies between 300 kilohertz (kHz) and 300 megahertz (MHz), while MW radiation ranges from 300 MHz to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Because each form has similar characteristics, RF and MW radiation are usually referred to as RF/MW radiation. The lower-frequency boundary of RF radiation is often extended to 10 kHz, or even to 3 kHz, in order to include emissions from commonly used devices.

Most documented health effects for RF exposure are short-term and reversible. The effects primarily relate to the direct heating of tissues or the flow of current through tissue. Health effects observed in humans from MW and RF fields include the formations of cataracts, induction burns, and burns from contact with metal implants.

1.1.5 Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)

ELF field intensity is a function of amperage passing through wiring. In general, the high currents used in spaces like mechanical rooms, machine shops, transformers, and large motors will produce the most intense ELF fields. Laboratories and offices usually do not have intense ELF fields due to relatively low electrical currents and a reasonable average value for these areas has been measured at about 3 to 5 mG.

Little conclusion exists on health effects from exposure to ELF. Acute exposure may affect the nervous system, and chronic exposure may lead to cancer; however, only low exposure levels are normally found in the general environment or most occupational settings.

2.1 Written Site-Specific NIR Site Plan

Each Microsoft location included in the scope of this program must develop a site-specific NIR Plan (“Site Plan”).  The Site Plan must be made available to all affected employees and external staff, or any regulatory agency personnel.  The Site Plan must include the following:

• Program purpose and scope.

• Site-specific regulatory requirements (State or Local).

• Personnel roles and responsibilities.   

• A Plan Administrator must be designated for each facility to oversee implementation of the Site Plan.

• Definitions of terms critical to an understanding of the Site Plan.

• General safety rules for areas where NIR is present.

• An inventory of all NIR sources and their locations within the facility.

• A description of workplace controls including engineering, administrative controls, and PPE requirements.

• Incident investigations for all accidents, incidents, and near-misses that were directly or indirectly related to NIR exposure.

• Required training.

• A thorough documentation and recordkeeping system. 

A Site Plan template can be found in Appendix A.

2.2 Risk Assessment

A risk assessment must be conducted to identify the health and safety hazards, the acceptable exposure limits, and safe work practices. The Plan Administrator and the NIRSO will work with Managers/Supervisors and Program/Project Managers to complete a risk assessment for each piece of equipment that uses NIR sources.

Each Site must complete a risk assessment for all identified NIR sources.

2.2.1 Purpose

The purpose of the risk assessment is to identify the type of NIR, hazard potential based upon the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL), and the controls necessary to minimize employee exposure. Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated periodically and, as necessary, when conditions change. Risk assessments must be reviewed by the NIRSO.

Risk assessments will usually include:

• Inventory of NIR sources

• Interviewing supervisors, employees, and external staff.

• Observing work practices.

• Reviewing supporting documents that may include applicable regulations, consensus standards, technical data sheets, guidelines and SOPs.

• Identifying OELs for employees or locations.

• Conducting sampling (dosimetry and calculations), where OELs are in question or as otherwise necessary.

• Engaging process experts to review the tasks and develop safe work practices for operation and maintenance.

Managers/Supervisors must notify the Plan Administrator to:

• Evaluate changes in job processes that present additional hazards or workplace conditions.

• Verify audit corrective action items have been completed.

2.2.2 Scope

The risk assessment process applies to all NIR sources purchased, leased, designed or assembled at Microsoft. All NIR sources must obtain NIRSO approval.

For equipment designed or assembled at Microsoft, the Plan Administrator or Microsoft OHS must be included in all phases of the design process.

For more information on the risk assessment process, consult the Microsoft Risk Assessment Program.

2.2.3 Establish OELs

As part of risk assessment OELs must be established. The identification of potential OELs will include a review of current and historical records, NIR source inventories, interviews with NIR equipment users, and prior risk assessments.

If no specific OEL is provided, the site may refer to OELs issued by the ICNIRP. ICNIRP Tables are presented in Appendix F.

2.2.4 Measuring and Calculating Potential OEL Exceedances

If employee exposure to potential NIR sources would result in exceedance of the OELs, sampling must be performed.

Prior to sampling, the following information regarding the NIR source is required to select the proper sampling equipment:

• Type.

• Frequency.

• Distance.

• Wavelength.

The following should be considered in selecting sampling equipment:

• The presence of several frequencies dictates the use of a broadband device with true root-mean-square response.

• For UVR sampling, direct-reading UVR radiometers exist, however, spectroradiometric measurements of UVR source can be used with the S(λ) weighting function to calculate the effective radiance, Eeff. Spectroradiometric measurements are often necessary to collect measurements that are more accurate than those with simple, direct-reading safety meters. Whichever measurement technique is applied, the geometry of measurement is important.

The ICNIRP provides guidance for assessing the sampling data and calculating employee exposure (See Appendix F).

2.3 NIR Source Approval

Prior to the purchase, lease, design, or assembling of any new NIR source, the following must be completed:

• An NIR Source Acquisition Form (Appendix B) must be reviewed and signed by the NIRSO. The NIR Source Acquisition Form documents: the type of NIR equipment/source, the use/storage, registration/licensing, risk assessment, and approval requirements.

• Once an NIR source is approved, develop a Site Plan.

Examples of NIR sources that will require approval include:

• The NIR source of a device or product that will be manufactured or assembled for sale by Microsoft. Note: The final product will need to meet product safety certification requirements per Microsoft policies and programs and national and international laws, regulations and standards.

• Test equipment or other sources that emit NIR exceeding specific OELs (i.e., OSHA, ICNIRP exposure limits, or other industry standards).

• Test equipment or other sources that emit NIR where the exposure is unknown. Except for the below-referenced excluded sources, the NIR source will require approval and measurement and calculation of the OEL during the risk assessment process.

Examples of sources excluded from NIR approval include typical devices or test equipment such as televisions, computer monitors, commercial devices, unintentional radiators, and visible illuminators similar to commonly distributed products in the market place.

Managers/Supervisors, Program/Project Mangers, Contract Liaisons, Employees and external Staff who are uncertain if a device, product, equipment or other NIR source requires NIR approval should contact the Plan Administrator for further information.

2.4 NIR Source Inventory

An inventory of NIR sources at Microsoft locations must be conducted. An NIR Inventory Form (Appendix C) must be completed and include all sources that require approval.

• Identify locations of potential employee exposure.

• Maintain and update the inventory by the NIRSO.

The Plan Administrator and NIRSO will assess the workplace to develop a current listing of the devices which emit NIR.

2.5 Registration and Licensing

NIR emitting equipment may be regulated through licenses issued by the jurisdictional authority (i.e., state, local or area). Each Site must determine if there are local, state, or area requirements that require licensing and/or registration to operate NIR equipment.

Each site is expected to control OEL of NIR according to local, state/provincial, country-specific (Appendix G), and international levels.

2.6 Safe Work Practices

Safe work practices must be implemented for NIR sources subject to this Program. The following safe work practices are summarized below: signage, employee exposure monitoring, eliminating or controlling hazards, and PPE.

2.6.1 Signage

Signage is required to inform employees of potential NIR exposure and to inform employees of the entry requirements for the area. In order to maintain exposure to below OEL or As Low As Reasonable Achievable (ALARA), signage will be used to restrict personnel access to areas or devices where IR, UVR, RF, MW and ELF exposure exceed the OEL.

All areas that must be restricted due to potential NIR exposure must be posted with a sign to warn personnel of the risk associated with the restricted area.

Appendix D provides guidance on signage requirements.

2.6.2 Employee Exposure Monitoring

Employee exposure to NIR sources or areas must be conducted if exposure meets or exceeds the OEL.

Dosimetry will be conducted for employees who may have occupational exposures that meet or exceed the OEL.

For more information on exposure assessments, please reference the Microsoft Exposure Assessment Program.

Only qualified professionals can perform maintenance activities on NIR emitting equipment and must control energy when working on such equipment in accordance with the Microsoft Hazardous Energy Control Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Program.

2.6.3 Eliminating or Controlling Hazards

If employee exposures exceed the applicable OEL as evidenced by dosimetry or calculation, Supervisors/Managers must reduce the employee exposure below the OEL by utilizing the following hierarchy of controls:

• Elimination of the use of the equipment

• Substitution of equipment

• Engineering controls (e.g., enclosure, shielding)

• Administrative controls (e.g., duration of tasks, signage, and training)

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

2.6.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before determining the appropriate PPE for the specific task, refer to the Microsoft Personal Protective Equipment Program, and complete the Certified PPE Hazard Assessment.

PPE must be suited for the specific type of NIR (e.g., IR, UVR, RF, MW and ELF). PPE for bright light sources and UVR may include eye protection with filter/shaded or tinted lenses and protective clothing. PPE for RF/MW may include insulated gloves, clothing and shoes.

PPE must be inspected prior to use and worn in accordance with manufacturer requirements.

Complete the Certified PPE Hazard Assessment located in the PPE Program.

2.6.5 Special Populations

If planning a pregnancy, employees with exposures to NIR should seek advice from a physician or other licensed health care provider (PLHCP). If an employee becomes pregnant, she is strongly encouraged to declare her pregnancy in writing to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator can assist in reducing exposures even further. During pregnancy, a woman’s exposure must remain ALARA.

Persons with biomedical devices (i.e., pacemakers, metal implants) should consult with their PLHCPs to discuss any concerns about NIR in the workplace. Employees should contact the Plan Administrator and their Benefits Business Partner with requests for accommodations related to biomedical devices and exposure to NIR.

2.6.6 Training

Each location must train employees and external staff who use or are in proximity of NIR equipment. Training must be provided for:

• Personnel and external staff who use NIR equipment at initial assignment.

• Retraining for employees and external staff when changes in procedures or work assignments occur.

• Retraining for employees and external staff if there is reason to believe they do not possess the required skills, or as a corrective action following an incident or near-miss.

Microsoft OHS has defined training to meet regulatory requirements for personnel and external staff who use NIR equipment.

To obtain training, contact Global OHS.

Any training program must include the following information:

• An overview of NIR and hands-on instruction of the applicable Site Plan.

• Applicable federal, state, or local regulations.

• A review of the hazards associated with NIR.

• Summary of the NIR Program and how to access the written Program.

• Hands-on instruction in the use of site-specific equipment, including controls (shields and enclosures).

• A review of the manufacturer's operating instructions.

• Details of the PPE requirements for using NIR equipment.

• Requirements for maintaining records of all training, including the name of the instructor, the trainees (names and signatures), the material covered, and the date.

• Procedures for responding to and reporting an incident.

2.6.7 Periodic Reviews and Audits

The NIR Program at a Site must be reviewed and audited periodically. At a minimum, the Site Plan must be reviewed every three years or immediately whenever any of the following events occur:

• Regulatory change that affect implementation of the program.

• Injury/illness/Incident occurs at the site related to exposure to NIR.

• Audit, regulatory inspection, or internal suggestion reveals a deficiency in the Site Plan or its implementation at the Site.

During the review, the Plan Administrator or NIRSO should conduct the following activities:

• Review the content of the Site Plan and compare with regulatory requirements and requirements in this document.

• Review incidents that are related to actual or potential NIR exposures.

• Review relevant training records and risk assessments.

• Request feedback from managers and supervisors regarding program improvement opportunities.

After each review, the Site Plan must be updated if a deficiency is found.

Audits may be conducted to assess implementation of the NIR program at the Site, compliance with local regulatory requirements, alignment with the requirements of this document, or other needs as determined by the Site.

2.6.8 Injury and Illness Investigation

Work-related injury or illness associated with NIR sources must be reported to the Plan Administrator. Refer to Microsoft Incident Reporting and Investigation Program

The affected employee must report a work-related injury or illness to Plan Administrator via submittal of the Incident Report Form.

Upon receipt of the Incident Report form, the Plan Administrator will review the case and determine the next steps in the investigation of the incident, as required in the Injury and Illness Investigation Program.  Supervisors/Managers must notify the Plan Administrator whenever a regulatory agency conducts on-site inspections or inquiries involving employee concerns.

Once the investigation of the incident is complete, communication of the results of the investigation will be shared with those groups with similar hazards or risks.

Each site must maintain and have the following records available for review by Microsoft OHS or regulatory agency inspector:

The following terms are used in this document. The definitions below are used in the scope of this document, but local regulatory definitions supersede if there is a conflict.

As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA): This is a radiation safety principle for minimizing radiation doses and releases of radioactive materials by employing all reasonable methods.

Effective Irradiance (Eeff): The ability of irradiance to produce a biological effect when the irradiance at each given wavelength is weighted and summed across all wavelengths of the incident radiation.

Extremely Low Frequency (ELF): frequency below 300 Hz. In the ELF range, electric and magnetic fields act independently, unlike electromagnetic fields of higher frequencies. These types of fields can be generated naturally and by artificial sources like electrical transmission lines.

Engineering Controls: The elimination or reduction of a hazard by means of engineered machinery or equipment. Examples include process change, isolation, ventilation, and source modification.

Exposure Assessment: Determination or estimation (qualitative or quantitative) of magnitude, frequency, duration, and route of exposure.

Frequency: The number of cycles completed by an electromagnetic wave in 1 second; usually expressed in hertz (Hz). Electricity in North America alternates through 60 cycles per second, or 60 Hz. In many other parts of the world, the frequency of electric power is 50 Hz.

Gauss (G): The International System Unit, the centimeter-gram-second (cgs) unit of magnetic flux density. One gauss corresponds to 10-4 tesla (T).

Gigahertz (GHz): one billion hertz.

Hertz (Hz): The unit for expressing frequency, (f). One hertz equals one cycle per second. 1 kilohertz (kHz) = 1,000 Hz, 1 megahertz (MHz) = 1,000 kHz, 1 gigahertz (GHz) = 1,000 MHz.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): A professional organization that provides guidance on educational and technical advancement of electrical and electronic engineering, telecommunications, computer engineering and allied disciplines. The IEEE serves as a major publisher of scientific journals and organizer of conferences, workshops, and symposia. It is also a leading standards development organization for the development of industrial standards.

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP): An independent organization that provides scientific advice and guidance on the health and environmental effects of NIR to protect people and the environment from detrimental NIR exposure.

International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA): An international professional association for radiation protection. It promotes excellence in the practice of radiation protection through national and regional Associate Societies and radiation protection professionals by providing benchmarks of good practice and enhancing professional competence and networking.

Ionization: In chemistry and physics, any process by which electrically neutral atoms or molecules are converted to electrically charged atoms or molecules (ions).

Infrared Radiation (IR): Infrared (IR) is invisible radiant energy, electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light, extending from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum at 700 nanometers (frequency 430 THz) to 1 mm (300 GHz).

Kilohertz (kHz): a unit of frequency, equal to 1000 cycles per second.

Megahertz: (MHz): a unit of frequency, equal to one million cycles per second.

Microwaves (MW): The term is taken to signify radiations or fields having a frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz.

Milligauss (mG): Milligauss is a measure of magnetic fields. One gauss is defined as one maxwell per square centimeter.

Millimeters (mm): Common unit for wavelength, equal to one thousandth of a meter.

Micrometer (µm): Common unit for wavelength, equal to one millionth of a meter.

Nanometer (nm): Common unit for wavelength, equal to one billionth of a meter.

Non-ionizing Radiation (NIR): Includes all radiations and fields of the electromagnetic spectrum that do not normally have sufficient energy to produce ionization in matter; characterized by energy per photon less than about 12 eV, wavelengths greater than 100 nanometers (nm), and frequencies lower than 3 x 1015 Hz.

Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Officer (NIRSO): An individual who has the knowledge and responsibility to apply appropriate non-ionizing radiation protection regulations and programs and has been assigned such responsibility.

Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL): A health-based workplace standard to protect workers from adverse exposure.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): The federal agency responsible for developing and enforcing regulations related to health and safety in the workplace, establishing enforceable chemical exposure limits, and setting minimum standards for workplace health and safety. OSHA is part of the United States Department of Labor.

Photochemically: Reaction from non-ionizing radiation such as UVR that creates a reaction in body tissue (e.g., eyes) that can be damaging.

Photoreinopathy: Damage to the retina resulting from exposure of the eye to non-ionizing radiation without adequate protection.

Physician or Other Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP): An individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (i.e., license, registration, or certification) allows him or her to independently provide, or be delegated the responsibility to provide, some or all of the health care services required.

Radiant Exposure: The radiant energy received by a surface per unit area.

Radiofrequency (RF) Energy: Any frequency at which electromagnetic radiation is useful for telecommunication. RF refers to the frequency range 300 Hz to 300 GHz.

Shielding: Material (such as a wall or barrier) that protects exposure of harmful radiations released by non-ionizing radiation sources.

Static Magnetic Field: A field that does not vary with time. This type of magnetic field is generated by a magnet or by the flow of direct current (DC).

Tesla (T): The International System Unit of magnetic flux density. 1 tesla = 10,000 gauss.

Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR): Radiation in the part of the electromagnetic spectrum where wavelengths are just shorter than those of ordinary, visible violet light but longer than those of x-rays.

6.1 Microsoft Internal

• MS Policy 37019-2, Regulatory Compliance

• MS Policy 37019-5, Regulatory Investigations, Inspections, and Inquiries

• Medical Surveillance Procedure

• Microsoft Vendor Code of Conduct

• Microsoft Accident Prevention Program

• Employee Incident Reporting and Investigation Program

• Microsoft Personal Protective Equipment Program

• Microsoft Exposure Assessment Program

• Microsoft Magnetic Fields Safety Program

• Microsoft Laser Safety

6.2 Microsoft External

• EPA, Ionizing & Non-Ionizing Radiation

• OSHA, 1910.97 - Nonionizing radiation. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov), Subpart G,

• Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, 5th Ed., Chapter 11, Non-Ionizing radiation.

• Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE), C95.1-2005, Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (3 KHz-300 GHz)

• Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE), C95.6-2002, Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, 0 to 3 kHz.

• International Commission On Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), Guidelines on Limits of Exposure To Ultraviolet Radiation Wavelengths Between 180 nm and 400 nm (Incoherent Optical Radiation), Health Physics 87(2):171-186; 2004.

• ICNIRP, Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time‐Varying Electric and Magnetic Fields (1 Hz – 100 KHz), Health Physics 99(6):818‐836; 2010.

• ICNIRP, Guidelines For Limiting Exposure To Time‐Varying Electric, Magnetic And Electromagnetic Fields (Up To 300 GHz), Health Physics 74 (4):494‐522; 1998.

• ICNIRP. Guidelines On Limits Of Exposure To Incoherent Visible And Infrared Radiation, Health Physics 105(1):74‐96; 2013.

• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents, 7th Ed.

• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee, Blue Light Hazard Quick Reference Sheet, September 20, 2012.

• National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, RF Heaters and Sealers, Publication Number 80-107 December 1979, Intelligence Bulletin 113.

• Posudin, Yuriy. Methods of Measuring Environmental Parameters, John Wiley & Sons, August 7, 2014.

• Washington, WAC 296-62-09005, Non-Ionizing Radiation.

• California, CCR, Title 8, Section 5085, Subchapter 7, Group 14, Article 104, Radiofrequency and Microwave Radiation

• World Health Organization, Extremely Low Frequency Fields Environmental Health Criteria Monograph No. 238

The Plan Administrator may use this outline to produce a written NIR Site Plan for establishing safe work practices and communicating the hazards associated with NIR activities to employees and external staff working in such areas. The Site Plan must be tailored to identify or comply with the following:

• Country, Federal, State, Provincial or local regulations governing NIR at the facility location.

• Machines, equipment, or processes covered under the area or facility-specific operations.

• Employees or external staff covered under the area or facility-specific operations.

Managers must make the Site Plan available to employees, external staff, and corporate or regulatory compliance officers.

Purpose

State the purpose of the program (e.g., establishes consistent management practices, minimize safety and health risks, and communicate workplace hazards).

Scope

Describe the area or facility-specific operations that fall under this Program (e.g., areas that use, develop or assemble NIR equipment).

Regulations

List any applicable country, federal, state/provincial, and local regulations and registration or licensing requirements. For example, in the United States, federal regulations for NIR safety fall under OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.97, Subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control. Individual states or local municipalities may have additional requirements.

Roles and Responsibilities

Identify personnel with responsibility for oversight or implementation of NIR safe work practices. The list should include the applicable Roles and Responsibilities.

Definitions

Present relevant NIR definitions. A list of terms and definitions is presented in the Definition Section of the NIR Program. Additional definitions may be required based on applicable regulations, activities, location, or equipment.

Risk Assessment and NIR Inventory

Summarize the risk assessment and NIR Inventory results can be presented as a table for easy reference. Be sure that the summary allows the reader to easily identify the referenced NIR machine, equipment, or process on the workplace floor. This can be done by including photographs or floor maps in the document.

Safe Work Practices

Establish SOPs and safe work practices for using NIR equipment. Include specifics on controls and PPE that employees and external staff must use during that procedure. Include a list of employees and external staff authorized to operate NIR equipment. Each workplace should consider what additional rules should be added to this list, based on site-specific conditions.

Training

Present the relevant training requirements, including training frequency, site-specific training, and recordkeeping.

Audits and Inspections

Present the annual audit requirements for the Site Plan, including on-Site maintenance of audit and corrective action documentation. Following the audits, training and other corrective actions must be taken as necessary.

Injury and Illness Investigations

Perform and document Injury and Illness investigations of accidents, incidents, and near-miss incidents that were directly or indirectly related to NIR equipment.

This form may be used to document NIR equipment at the Site. Complete table.

Check relevant sources and complete table with requested information.

Are postings and labels in place? Choose an item.

Interlocks are in place and functional? Choose an item.

Records of interlock testing and radiation surveys available? Choose an item.

Appendix F presents ICNIRP occupational exposure information for Visible Light and IR (Table 1), UVR (Table 2), RF/MW (Table 3) and ELF (Table 4).  The ICNIRP establishes guidelines for the protection of employees exposed to various forms of NIR to provide protection against established adverse health effects.

Once sampling of NIR sources or areas has been conducted, these tables may be used to compare or calculate acceptable employee exposure to various forms of NIR.

Visible Light and Infrared (IR)

The ICNIRP establishes guidelines for the protection of employees exposed to incoherent optical radiation from artificial and natural sources with the exception of lasers (e.g., visible light and IR). Protection of the human retina from thermal injury requires that the spectrally weighted effective radiance does not exceed the retinal thermal exposure limit.

The retinal thermal hazard function R (λ) characterizes the spectral efficiency to cause threshold retinal injury, shown in Table 1.

Website: http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPVisible_Infrared2013.pdf

Table 1. ICNIRP’s Retinal hazard spectral weighting functions (aphakic and blue light hazard functions are the same as in ICNIRP (1997)

Notes: 

a The UVR extension of A(λ) and B(λ) at wavelengths below 380 nm are provided for the evaluation of optical spectra that may contain UVR. The aphakic hazard function, A(λ), is normalized to correlate with the blue-light hazard function, B(λ) for wavelength above 440 nm.

Reference levels for occupational exposure to UV (source: Table 2 of ICNIRP’s Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Incoherent Visible and Infrared Radiation.

Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)

The ICNIRP establishes guidelines for the protection of employees exposed to UVR to provide protection against established adverse health effects. Table 2 summarizes the reference levels for occupational exposure on maximal limits of exposure to UVR in the spectral region between 180 nm and 400 nm. The limits represent conditions under which it is expected that nearly all individuals may be repeatedly exposed without acute adverse effects and, based upon best available evidence, without noticeable risk of delayed effects. These EL values for exposure of the eye or the skin may be used to evaluate potentially hazardous exposure from UVR.

The values in Table 2 are well established and based upon exposure limit values contained in ICNIRP 1989 guidelines.

Website: http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPUV2004.pdf

Use of Table 2

The following provides guidance for use of Table 2:

• Stay times should be calculated to ensure personnel do not exceed exposure limits (EL). 

• First calculate the effective irradiance (Eeff)

  

   

  

   

• Divide the exposure limits (EL) from the tables (mJcm-2) by the Eeff (mW-cm-2) to obtain exposure time in seconds.

Note:  1 mW = 1mJ-s-1

Type of Exposures

Exposure of the eyes - UVR exposure in the spectral region 180 to 400 nm incident upon the unprotected eye(s) should not exceed 30 J m-2 effective spectrally weighted using the spectral weighting factors contained in Table 2, and the total (unweighted) ultraviolet radiant exposure in the spectral region 315 to 400 nm should not exceed 104 J m-2.

Exposure of the skin - For the most sensitive, non-pathologic, skin phototypes (known as “melano-compromised”), ultraviolet radiant exposure in the spectral region 180 to 400 nm upon the unprotected skin should not exceed 30 J m-2 effective spectrally weighted using the spectral weighting factors contained in Table 2.

Table 2. ICNIRP UV Exposure Limits and Spectral Weighting Function

Notes: 

a Wavelengths chosen are representative; other values should be interpolated (see Eqns. 2a–c).

b Relative spectral effectiveness.

c EL for a monochromatic source, but also limited by a dose-rate of 10 kW m2 (1 W cm2) for durations greater than 1 s as well in order to preclude thermal effects.

Reference levels for occupational exposure to UV (source: Table 1 of ICNIRP’s Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation Wavelengths between 180 nm and 400 nm (Incoherent Optical Radiation)

Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave (MW)

The ICNIRP establishes guidelines for the protection of employees exposed to RF/MW to provide protection against established adverse health effects. Table 3 summarizes the reference levels for occupational exposure.  The reference levels are intended to be spatially averaged values over the entire body of the exposed individual, but with the important proviso that the basic restrictions on localized exposure are not exceeded.

Website: http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPemfgdl.pdf

Table 3. Reference levels for occupational exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields (unperturbed rms values) 

Notes:

a f as indicated in the frequency range column.

b Provided that basic restrictions are met and adverse indirect effects can be excluded, field strength values can be exceeded.

c For frequencies between 100 kHz and 10 GHz, Seq, E2, H2, and B2 are to be averaged over any 6-min period.

d For peak values at frequencies up to 100 kHz see Table 4, note 3.

e For peak values at frequencies exceeding 100 kHz see Figs. 1 and 2. Between 100 kHz and 10 MHz, peak values for the field strengths are obtained by interpolation from the 1.5-fold peak at 100 kHz to the 32-fold peak at 10 MHz. For frequencies exceeding 10 MHz it is suggested that the peak equivalent plane wave power density, as averaged over the pulse width, does not exceed 1,000 times the Seq restrictions, or that the field strength does not exceed 32 times the field strength exposure levels given in the table.

f For frequencies exceeding 10 GHz, Seq, E2, H2, and B2 are to be averaged over any 68/f 1.05-min period (f in GHz).

g No E-field value is provided for frequencies,1 Hz, which are effectively static electric fields. Electric shock from low impedance sources is prevented by established electrical safety procedures for such equipment.

Reference levels for occupational exposure to time-varying electric and ELF magnetic fields (source: Table 6 of ICNIRP’s Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time‐Varying Electric and Magnetic Fields

Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)

The ICNIRP establishes guidelines for the protection of employees exposed to ELF to provide protection against established adverse health effects. Table 4 summarizes the reference levels for occupational exposure.  The reference levels assume an exposure by a uniform (homogeneous) field with respect to the spatial extension of the human body.

Website: http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPLFgdl.pdf

OEL (frequency 25-50 Hz): Electric Field Strength E=10kV/m; Magnetic Field Strength H=8x102 A/m; Magnetic Flux Density B=10-3T

Table 4.  ICNIRP Reference levels for occupational exposure to time varying electric and magnetic fields (unperturbed rms values)

Notes:

a f is the frequency in Hz.

b In the frequency range above 100 kHz, RF specific reference levels need to be considered additionally.

Reference levels for occupational exposure to time-varying electric and ELF magnetic fields (source: Table 3 of ICNIRP’s Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time‐Varying Electric and Magnetic Fields (1 hz – 100 khz.)