Power frequency electromagnetic field assessment and personal protective equipment effectiveness evaluation at electrical staff workplaces

Introduction. At workplaces of high and extra-high voltage open switchgears there are high levels of power frequency electric (EF) and magnetic fields (MF), which can exceed the maximum permissible levels (MPL). In case of exceeding the MPL, ensuring electromagnetic safety is realized by using personal protective equipment (PPE). All EF PPE certificated in homogeneous EF test, but in real conditions at electrotechnical staff workplaces are the heterogeneous EF. The study aims to hygienic assessment at workplaces of electric power facilities and shielding suit protective properties investigation in full-scale and laboratory conditions. Materials and methods. Hygienic assessment of EF and MF was carried out at the ground workplaces of the electrical staff while performing works at 220, 330, 500 and 750 kV switchgears. Studies of suit protective properties were carried out according to domestic and international methods using three PPE with different sets. Results. EF hygienic assessment showed exceeding of MPL at all investigated objects with the EF maximum level 29,91 kV/m. Shielding suit protective properties evaluation showed that all PPE had sufficient protective properties of Russian requirements for ground workplace (30 dB). Limitations. The limitation in the number of studied electric power facilities is due to the difficulties of obtaining access to such facilities. Conclusions. EF hygienic assessment showed exceeding MPL at all investigated objects. The EF maximum values were fixed at 750 kV switchgear (29,91 kV/m). Exceeding the MPL for the whole work time in 5 kV/m at all studied objects on average amounted to more than 60% of the territories of all objects. The protective properties suit evaluation in full-scale and laboratory conditions showed adequate results (does not exceed 20%) and the possibility of assessing the protective properties effectiveness using a Russian Federation methodology as well as international. Ethics. The study did not require an ethical committee opinion.