Radio Frequency Radiation Safety Awareness

Training

Presented by:Jason Stack

Field Safety CoordinatorThe Hill Group

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Jason Stack, Safety Coordinator

• 24 years as an Electrician• Communication Tower

Erector• Communication Systems

Installer

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Objective

• Types of Radiation• Basic Health Effects• Uncontrolled vs. Controlled Exposure• Signage• Types of Antenna• Hazard Mitigation• RF Monitors (glove box tool…)

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Types of Radiation

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing

Ionizing Radiation

• Energy that causes electrons to be stripped from atoms “ionizing” the atom and changing its characteristics.

o Damages tissue…o The tissue is no longer as it was.

• Some Types of ionizing radiationo Ultraviolet Radiationo Alpha – Beta - Gamma Radiation o X-Rays

• This is not the type of radiation that we are exposed to… Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Non-Ionizing Radiation

• RF energy that only cause vibrations or oscillations of the atoms which results in heat but does not strip electrons from atoms.

• Types of Non-ionizing Radiationo Ultraviolet Radiationo Visible Lighto Infrared Radiationo Radio Frequency Radiation

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Sources of Non-Ionizing Radiation

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

• High Power Transmission Lines

• Radar Installations• Broadcasting

Stations• Television

Transmitters

• Telecommunication Systems

• Radar• Meteorology• Sterilization• Medicine and

Research

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Basic Health Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation

Normal Heat RF HeatingBody’s reaction to heat as sensed by the skin:

o increase heart rate

o increase respiratory rate

o increase blood flow

o increase perspiration… All to cool down!

Body’s reaction when heated by RF:

o Body core temp increases

o Has no nerves to sense changes in temperature

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Similar to an antenna!

Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Exposure Hazards

• Controlled o Occupational environments where there is

exposure that may be incurred by employees.

o Employees are made fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over their exposure.

o Workers and the public have the Right to Know about RF Hazards.

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Exposure Hazards

• Uncontrolled Environment o Applies to situation in which the public may

be exposed.o Applies to people who are exposed as a

part of the employment who may have not

been made fully aware of the potential or exposure or cannot exercise control over their exposure.

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Cell Panel Antenna

Satellite Dishes

Cell Panel Antenna

RF Site Signage

• Shall use the ANSI symbols required by current standards, however…o This may not always be the case

o Some owners or property managers will take liberties

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

RF Site Signage• Signage should only be installed after a thorough RF

assessment has been conducted to determine what areas should be categorized as “Above Controlled / Occupational limits” or “Above Uncontrolled limits” areas

Blue “NOTICE” Signs

• Should be posted at the point of access to the site such as at the site entrance gate or near the door to the equipment rooms

• Under certain circumstances the RF emissions at the site or in the equipment room MAY exceed the uncontrolled/general population exposure limits

Yellow “CAUTION” Signs• Should be posted in areas where the RF

assessment has determined RF emissions exceed the FCC Uncontrolled/General Population exposure limits

• These may include areas such as at the bases of communication towers where if personnel were to climb may find themselves in RF fields that exceed the FCC Uncontrolled/General Population limits, but are less than the Controlled/Occupational limits

Red “Warning” Signs

• Should be posted in advance of the areas that have been determined to have RF emissions levels that exceed the Controlled/Occupational RF limits

• This would include those areas with high power broadcast, paging or areas within a few feet of most other antenna

Types of Antenna

• Yagi Antenna

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Types of Antenna

• Offset folded dipole

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Types of Antenna

• Cellular Panel

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Types of Antenna

• Microwave

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Types of Antenna

• Doppler

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Types of Antenna

• Broadcast

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

Hazard Mitigation Measures

1. Avoid stopping in front of an antenna2. To assure site-wide compliance at some

multi-user sites, it may become necessary to make changes of a technical, engineering, or physical nature.

a. Elevation of antennasb. Reduce power of antennasc. Reposition/Relocate antennasd. Increase spacing between antennas

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

RF Monitors…electromagnetic field monitor

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

The glovebox tool…

The Keys to RF Safety…

Mechanical Contractors Association of America January 25, 2017

• If you plan, pay close attention, and take a few simple protective measures, you can still work safely

o Communicate with all applicable personnel…o When in doubt, do not proceed until the hazard/s

have been identified and mitigated.o Pay attention to posted signs and adhere to the

rooftop access routes.

• We are surrounded by RF every day…on the roof, in our cars and when using our phones