Table 4-1.—NAVSEA OP 3565 Volume II, Table 2-4, Safe Separation Distances for Radar, EW, and NAVAIDS Equipment
HERP—HAZARDS OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC
RADIATION TO PERSONNEL
The HERP program was developed to protect
personnel from RF electromagnetic radiation.
Anywhere a radar or transmitter is operating, there is a
danger that the RF electromagnetic fields may produce
harmful biological effects in humans exposed to them.
The following paragraphs identify the typical hazards
and the steps you can take to minimize them.
example of tables found in NAVSEA OP 3565 Volume
I.
RF BURNS.— As we mentioned in ET Volume 1,
voltages of enough potential to cause a burn injury can
be induced on metallic items from nearby transmitting
antennas.
However, there has to be actual physical
contact for the burn to occur. You can help prevent
contact by ensuring that warning signs are placed
properly and obeyed.
Precautions
Hazards
RF hazards to personnel are based on overexposure
to RF energy. The biological hazard level for exposure
to RF radiationis established by the Bureau of Medicine
and Surgery and is included in NAVSEA OP 3565
Volume I.
SAFE LIMITS.— Safe limits are based on the
power density of the radiation beam and the exposure
time of the human body. Table 4-2 identifies safe limits
associated with common electronics equipment. It is an
During normal operations, personnel can easily
avoid most hazards if the hazards are labeled properly.
However, during maintenance, some hazards must be
eliminated by specific, planned actions, such as those
listed below. Using all safety precautions is the personal
responsibility of the technician.
TAG-OUT.— Tag-out procedures are covered in
depth in ET Volume 1. Hanging a proper tag can save
your life. Using tags improperly or not at all will
eventually put you, maybe your best buddy, maybe your
4-2
