RF worker site access

RF workers entering a Vodafone BTS (Base Station Transmitting) site
Vodafone personnel and contractors working on sites as part of Vodafone operations should adopt the following precautionary measures to minimise any risk of RF overexposure.

• Check with your Team Leader/Manager that you are appropriately trained.
• If working alone or in a remote area, ensure check-in procedures are followed.
• Contact Vodafone FMT-NOC (1800 683 683)
• Consult any RF signage and RF Site Management Book (RCSMB). (If first time on site and/or required by the site access procedure, organise to meet a representative of the property owner who is familiar with the equipment on the building or structure.
• Attempt to identify all potential sources of RF emissions and only access the site via dedicated walkways and safe areas.
• Where “Shutdown” has been requested, confirm shutdown prior to commencing work.
• Ensure appropriate RF monitoring equipment is serviceable, available and used correctly.

Additional precautions when other RF transmitters are on site
On numerous sites, Vodafone equipment is co-located with the equipment of other telecommunications carriers. In some cases, Vodafone equipment may also be co-located with emergency services, TV and radio broadcasting, paging systems etc.

Prior to access to these sites: the Project Supervisor (Team Leader/Manager) must take all reasonable steps to determine the type, location and exclusion zones of all transmission equipment on site.

While accessing/working: Monitoring equipment should be used by personnel to ensure that accidental exposure does not occur.

Reporting unsafe situations with RF equipment
Vodafone is committed to ensure safety and compliance on all of its BTS sites. If any unsafe situation is noticed, please immediately report it to the FMT-NOC on 1800 683 683.

What if I believe I have been over exposed?
The safety of all is of paramount importance to Vodafone. Immediate notification is essential if you believe you may have been over-exposed to RF or you feel unsure about the status of your exposure.

Vodafone staff, Vodafone Partners and their contractors should immediately notify their Team Leader or Manager and fill in an incident report form.

General Workers (e.g. roof & lift maintenance, window cleaners) should immediately contact Vodafone’s EME Manager, Mr Taras Saczko (Sach) on 02 9415 7002 (or contact FMT-NOC on 1800 683 683).

The EME Manager, Team Leader or Manager will confirm the status of the RF sources in the area and other relevant information, including:

• Power output of transmitters
• Frequencies of transmitters
• Location of worker from emission sources(s)
• Duration of exposure
• Status of worker (RF worker or Non-RF worker)

If it becomes clear on initial investigation that no over-exposure has occurred, then no further action is required.

If a “suspected over-exposure” (i.e. RF exposure levels in excess of prescribed ARPANSA Occupational Exposure Limits for RF Workers or ARPANSA General Public Exposure Limits for non-RF Workers), then a full incident investigation will be conducted by the Vodafone EME Manager, Team Leader or Manager. Suspected over-exposures require referral to a physician with knowledge of RF for health assessment including psychological and physical symptoms and accurate records kept.

This investigation report will be submitted to the Vodafone and relevant company H&S Managers.