Preface

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Preface

This publication is one of a series of practical guides on occupational hazards

arising from non-ionizing radiation (NIR) carried out in collaboration with the

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)1 as part of

the ILO International Programme for the Improvement of Working Conditions and

Environment (PIACT).

The purpose of this book is to provide basic guidance on working conditions and

procedures that will lead to higher standards of safety for all personnel engaged in the

operation and use of radiofrequency (RF) dielectric heaters and sealers. It is intended in

particular for the use of competent authorities, employers and workers, and in general all

persons in charge of occupational safety and health.

The following topics are covered: RF and electromagnetic radiation, sources,

exposure and energy absorption, RF biological effects, occupational RF exposure

standards and guidelines, exposure assessment, control technology, work practices and

administrative controls, design and installation considerations, and medical surveillance.

Emphasis is placed upon protective measures.

The manuscript was prepared by an ICNIRP working group chaired by Mays L.

Swicord and including Stuart Allen, Howard Bassen, David Conover and Robert Curtis.

Following comments received from ICNIRP members, it was reviewed in detail during

the annual meeting of the ICNIRP in Rockville, Maryland, in June 1995.

The book is the result of an ILO/ICNIRP activity in collaboration with the WHO,

and is published by the ILO on behalf of the three organizations. The ILO wishes to

thank the ICNIRP, and in particular Dr. Swicord and his working group, for their

contribution and cooperation in the preparation of this practical guide on safety in the

use of RF heaters and sealers.

The ICNIRP secretariat may be contacted c/o Dipl.-Ing. R. Matthes, Bundesamt

für Strahlenschutz, Institut für Strahlenhygiene, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764

Oberschleissheim, Germany; tel.: +49 89 31603288; fax: +49 89 3160289.

1 The ICNIRP was established in May 1992, and has responsibility for NIR protection in the

same way as the international Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has for ionizing radiation.

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