EMF Exposure in Manufacturing: What UK Employers Need to Know

If you operate a manufacturing site that uses high current or high voltage applications, you must take electromagnetic fields (EMFs) seriously.

EMFs are invisible energy waves generated whenever electric current flows. In manufacturing environments, especially those involving high voltage, high current, or radiofrequency (RF) equipment, EMF exposure is a serious safety consideration.

While often overlooked, EMF can pose a health risk to workers, especially in areas where powerful machines like RF welders, motors, or plasma systems are in use. That’s why it’s essential to monitor and control exposure levels on-site.

In the UK, the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work (CEMFAW) Regulations 2016 continue to govern workplace EMF exposure. These rules mirror the EU Directive 2013/35/EU. 

In this guide, you’ll find a complete overview of what EMFs are, why they matter, what the regulations require, and how to test for and mitigate EMF exposure risks in line with UK workplace safety law.

Read the full CEMFAW Regulations here.

What is EMF and where does it occur in manufacturing?

EMFs arise whenever electric current flows through a conductor or device. In manufacturing, this typically means equipment such as:

• Power distribution systems
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
• Motors, transformers, and large cables
• RF welding equipment and industrial heaters
• Semiconductor or wafer fabrication tools
• Plasma cutting or microwave systems

There are two main categories of EMFs in industrial environments:

1. Low-frequency EMFs: Typically generated by power cables, large motors, or electrical panels
2. High-frequency EMFs (radiofrequency): Often found in RF welders, plasma systems, or RF-powered robotics

Unlike visible hazards such as moving machinery or sparks, EMFs are silent and invisible, making them difficult to detect. However, they can still affect the human body, especially at high exposure levels or over long periods. 

What health risks can EMF exposure pose?

Workers exposed to EMFs (especially in high-frequency industrial environments) face a range of potential health risks, both immediate and potentially long-term.

Recent scientific studies have highlighted the biological effects of EMF exposure, with growing evidence linking it to various physiological and neurological changes.

One key finding is that EMF exposure induces oxidative stress across several tissues. As a result, workers may experience fatigue, headaches, impaired concentration, and reduced learning ability. 

However, thermal injury is the primary established hazard of high-frequency EMF exposure, according to The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)’s most recent guidelines.

When workers absorb too much electromagnetic energy (particularly at radiofrequency levels), it can cause the body or localised areas to overheat, leading to tissue damage or burns.

As an employer, you must not only assess exposure levels and enforce protective limits, but also consider the hidden biological and thermal risks that could impact workers’ health and performance.

Who enforces EMF exposure regulations, and what are the penalties for non-compliance?

In the UK, workplace EMF exposure is regulated by the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work (CEMFAW) Regulations 2016, enforced by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These regulations also mirror the EU Directive 2013/35/EU.

While compliance is mandatory, enforcement tends to follow complaints, health concerns, or safety audits, making proactive assessment all the more important.

Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to a range of consequences, from improvement notices and fees for intervention to prosecutions.

The International Commission of Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is also used as a guide for safe working levels.

Who’s responsible for compliance with EMF exposure regulations?

Manufacturers and suppliers are responsible for ensuring that any equipment they provide is safe and includes appropriate information about EMF or radiation risks. This should be included in the technical documentation and user instructions.

If you're using legacy machinery, it's good practice to compare it with newer models for which EMF emission data is available. This can help you assess potential exposure levels and determine whether further information or mitigation is needed.

If in doubt, consult your equipment supplier to help inform your EMF risk assessment and ensure your workplace remains compliant.

What are your responsibilities?

Because EMF exposure varies across sites and even within zones of the same building, you must assess and monitor these fields carefully. And EMF testing is the only way to know where you stand.

Under the CEMFAW regulations, manufacturers are obligated to carry out EMF testing to confirm EMF exposure levels and ensure that they are below the exposure limit values (ELVs). If they are not below ELVs, they must take action, such as redesigning processes, introducing shielding, or providing training.

Recently, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also urged manufacturers to take a more proactive approach to EMF compliance, encouraging manufacturing businesses to:

• Regularly map EMF zones in their facilities
• Train employees to recognise EMF risks
• Clearly label areas near high-output equipment like RF welders or induction heaters

We’d also recommend putting together internal communication strategies to inform employees of any EMF risks and measures being taken to remove them, and provide health surveillance or medical examinations when necessary.

How do you assess EMF exposure?

HSE advises that, in most cases, you can carry out a suitable and sufficient EMF assessment without needing a consultant. 

For many workplaces, referring to official guidance (such as the Guide to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations) is enough to show that exposure remains below the legal limits (ELVs).

Measurements or calculations are typically only required if you use high-powered equipment or large currents, and existing data is not enough to confirm compliance with the health-related ELVs.

If you’re going to conduct a formal EMF site survey, you must do so using calibrated measurement tools. A compliant assessment will typically:

• Identify EMF sources across all production areas
• Measure field strength at varying distances and heights
• Compare exposure levels to ELVs based on task type and exposure time
• Use real-time dosimeters for role-specific exposure tracking

If levels are above action thresholds, further steps may include:

• Repositioning or shielding equipment
• Rotating shift schedules to reduce exposure time
• Implementing signage or restricted zones
• Providing personal protective equipment or medical surveillance

All findings should be documented in an EMF Risk Assessment and supported by a mitigation plan if necessary.

Does EMF exposure fall under UKCA/CE marking requirements?

Not directly.

However, equipment that emits electromagnetic fields (EMFs) might also fall under one or more of the following directives:

• Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations, which requires that equipment does not cause or suffer from electromagnetic interference.
• Machinery Safety Regulations, which requires that equipment must be safe to use, including risks from EMFs if they are foreseeable.
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations, which focuses on electrical safety, which may include EMF-related risks in some cases.

Under these directives, you may need to consider EMF emissions and related safety measures as part of your overall risk assessment and technical documentation. 

Assess EMF levels with total confidence

From plasma systems to pacemakers, there are a multitude of ways in which potential EMF risks can be raised in a manufacturing environment. 

We help high-technology manufacturers across the UK to locate and assess EMF exposure, whether that involves specific pieces of equipment or entire production environments.

Our start-to-finish service covers the entire EMF testing process, from locating and measuring exposure to providing detailed test reports and remedial solutions for non-compliance.

Head to our EMF testing page to find out more about how we can help.