Managing exposure to RFR
Design RF sources
Installing RF plant
Can the hazard be eliminated by:
- replacing the RF plant if it is rarely used and outsourcing the work
- replacing the RF plant with equipment that can do the job without causing injury eg. replacing the welding of synthetic fibres for canopies and awnings with sewing machines
- redesign the workplace, equipment or work process to make it safer
Design RF sources
RF sources should be designed with:
- wiring that complies with AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules) (non-Queensland Government link)
- an interlock system
- visual and/or audible 'power-on' indicators
- perforated metal sheets over any ventilation or viewing ports
- appropriate shields
- shuttle trays or conveyor belts installed (instead of manual material feed) to increase the distance between the operator and the RF source
The plant should be installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's directions.
Your RF plant supplier should be able to retro-fit the safety features described above.
For more information on eliminating hazards of radio frequency (RF) generating plant, read section 4 and Appendix 2 of the Guide to the Safe Use in Industry of Radio Frequency Generating Plant (PDF, 296 KB).
Installing RF plant
When installing RF plant:
- The position of large metal objects, pipes and shelving need to be taken into account to avoid coupling to energy leaking from the plant.
- Effective grounding can reduce RFR exposure for plant with a nominal frequency below 50 MHz.
- Isolate the RF source in a shielded enclosure eg. metal screen room to confine the RFR.
- This is not a suitable control if the RF operator needs to be located within the enclosure when the source is radiating, as operator exposure will be increased.
- When portable RF sources are used in multiple locations, it is important to restrict entry by barriers and signs.
For more information on safe installation of radio frequency (RF) generating plant, read Section 4 of the Guide to the Safe Use in Industry of Radio Frequency Generating Plant (PDF, 296 KB).
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