Degausser / Tape Eraser Health and Safety Information
Regarding magnetic fields emitted by degaussers and tape erasers

Currently there are no widely published statutory regulations limiting the magnitude of magnetic fields in the work place. (Non-ionising radiation).

The NRPB (National Radiological Protection Board UK) have issued a guidance document (NRPB GS11, 1989). These guidelines are not statutory but set out to give a guide to those concerned with the possible effects of working in a continuous magnetic field. Broadly the guidelines recommend that the magnetic flux density for industrial workers should be 2.0 milli-tesla. This limit was reduced to 1.6 milli-tesla in the NRPB publication, 'Documents of the NRPB' Volume 4, No. 5. Further comments on the subject is contained within the NRPB document NRPB-R265 (ISBN 085951-366-1) in which a section specifically discusses degaussers and in the WHO (World Health Organisation) publication, 'Non-ionising Radiation Protection' (ISBN 928011165).

An EC draft pre-standard has also now been issued (prENV50166-1) for human exposure to electromagnetic fields which also established a limit of 1.6 milli-tesla.

Verity Systems' range of degaussers are designed to fall within the recommended guidelines issued by the NRPB within a normal workplace environment.

Persons fitted with Pacemakers

Although it is generally recognised the magnetic fields below 25 gauss will not affect or interrupt the operation of a heart pacemaker, Verity Systems recommend that to avoid accidental contact with the magnetic field, persons fitted with heart pacemakers should not be allowed within one metre of a degausser while operating.

Further information and printed matter can be obtained from:

Health Protection Agency Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards
Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 831600. Fax +44 (0) 1235 833891 E-mail: rpd@hpa-rp.org.uk
http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/

To learn more about Verity Systems' range of degaussers please click on one of the following links:

	why degauss? | FAQs | glossary of terms | degausser chart | health and safety
	Manual Degaussers - ideal for small to medium degaussing requirements
	Automatic Degaussers - continuous degaussers or non-continuous degaussers, constant run
	Security Degaussers - security approved degaussers