10.12 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The RF exposure limits protect people against the substantiated adverse effects of direct RF exposure, but they do not resolve every circumstance relevant to safe work. Pregnancy changes the applicable exposure category after notification. Active medical devices can be affected by electromagnetic interference, conductive implants can perturb fields, and some people may require individual work or supervision arrangements.

ICNIRP treats medical-device interference and electromagnetic compatibility as outside the scope of its human-exposure restrictions. RPS S-1 therefore requires separate procedures for pregnancy, susceptible medical devices, and metallic implants. These arrangements should be proportionate to the circumstances, based on competent advice, and managed with appropriate privacy and respect.

10.12.1 Pregnancy

For RF exposure, a pregnant occupationally exposed worker is treated as a member of the general public after the employer has been notified of the pregnancy.

RPS S-1 requires that, after notification, the worker must not be exposed above the general public limits. Appropriate arrangements may include changing the work location, source state, task, or schedule, or temporarily transferring the person to other work. The arrangement should preserve employment benefits and allow the worker to continue suitable work wherever reasonably practicable.

The RF safety program should provide a confidential notification and assessment process. The applicable RF Radiation Safety Plan and work authorizations should then identify the locations and tasks permitted under the public limits without disclosing unnecessary personal information.