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Health & Safety

It is EirGrid’s policy to design and operate the transmission network to the highest safety standards and to comply with the most up to date international guidelines and recommendations.

Your Health and Electric & Magnetic Fields (EMF)

A debate about the possible health effects of electric and magnetic fields associated with electric power systems on humans and animals has continued over the last number of decades. Despite extensive worldwide research, international review bodies have found no conclusive evidence that exposure to electric and magnetic fields encountered in normal living and working conditions are harmful to public health.

Read a full explanation of what an EMF is

Your concerns

EirGrid continues to review new developments and research findings and is satisfied from the totality of studies and the views of authoritative bodies that the balance of evidence is that electric and magnetic field emissions from electric power systems do not cause adverse effects on health.

However, EirGrid recognises that some individuals are genuinely concerned about issues regarding electric and magnetic fields and health. The quality of you and your family’s living and working environment, along with the welfare of livestock and farm crops is of the utmost importance to us at all times.

We are committed to addressing your concerns in an open manner. To assist in this process we ask that you consult our booklet on electric and magnetic fields.

Click here for EMF Booklet

We hope that you find it useful and that it provides answers to questions currently being asked on this issue.

Your questions answered

We are committed to continuously reviewing new research to provide answers to your questions.

If you have concerns about this project, we can make a health expert available to you. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.

Your physical safety

To make sure you and your family stay safe during this project, we are following strict guidelines for construction and electrical operations.

In addition, before we start any construction task we will carry out an assessment to explore what hazards may be present. If any are found, we will then make sure they are controlled before works begins.

If you have any other concerns about safety on this project, please contact us.

Finally, we acknowledge the obvious health, social and economic benefits that electric power brings to society and reaffirm our commitment to design and operate the electricity transmission system that facilitates these benefits in a safe, reliable and economic manner.

Health & Safety

Your health and safety are absolutely fundamental to how we operate. We are absolutely committed to protecting your safety at all times.

Your Health and Electric & Magnetic Fields (EMF)

Some people are concerned about the Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) emitted from electricity lines or cables. In basic terms, an EMF is the space within which an electric or magnetic object can influence something else.

For example, a hair-dryer can affect the reception on your TV, if the TV is within range of its EMF. The same applies to all electrical equipment, from MP3 players to high-voltage power lines.

Read a full explanation of what an EMF is.

Your Concerns

We are confident that you do not need to worry about EMFs as an issue on this project.

Over the past 30 years many scientific studies have been carried out into the effects of EMFs  on human health. This includes such bodies as:

• World Health Organisation (WHO)
• National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in the UK
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

None of these has found any evidence of a significant link between such fields and human illness. The studies have also enabled bodies such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the European Commission to establish recommendations on EMF exposures. These guarantee a high level of health protection.

You can be assured that our network works well within these standards.

Your Questions Answered

We are committed to continuously reviewing new research to provide answers to your questions.

If you have concerns about this project, we can make a health expert available to you. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.

Physical Safety During this Project

To make sure you and your family stay safe during this project, we are following strict guidelines for construction and electrical operations.

In addition, before we start any construction task we will carry out an assessment to explore what hazards may be present. If any are found, we will then make sure they are controlled before works begins.

Safety for High-Voltage Electricity

If you would like to understand more about health and safety of the cables and lines we are installing, please take some time to Read a full explanation of what an EMF is.

If you have any other concerns about safety on this project, please contact us.