I have been asked to advise on issues surrounding the shipping/receipt/assembly of permanent magnets at our manufacturing plant.

I understand that these are 'mega strength rare earth magnets' rated at 10,700 gauss. From what I can see, that is pretty strong, around 'electro-magnet' strength and getting up to what smaller MRI units deliver.

I understand that the manufacturer does ship with warnings about heart pacemakers and they actually provide stickers for us to on-pass with the products also.

My main questions really are;

(1) Is the main 'technical' legislation here the EMF Directive?

(2) In terms of HSE technical documents, is there anything closer than the 'guidance-safe-use-magnetic-lifting-devices.pdf' that I can see mentioning transport/pacemaker issues? What advice is known about the relative gauss levels and what other issues come into play at higher levels? (e.g. interference with avionics?)

Any help appreciated.

You might find this site useful:
http://www.icnirp.org/en...c-fields-0-hz/index.html

Thank you all. Here's what I also learned.

The manufacturer of the magnets provides warning stickers (one indicating 'no pacemakers' and others with practical instructions) , these for use in the further packaging and shipping going forward.

Other good practice;
Never face the opposing poles of magnets towards each other.
Use stainless steel to 'sheath' the magnets to reduce unwanted attraction to nearby equipment.
Take care when moving large magnets by crane close to other ferrous metals.
Check if there is a manual or instructions. Think about where the magnets will be used and where they may need to be laid down at various times during their working life.
Cordon off the assembly areas where peripatetic workers may otherwise walk into the presence of magnets.
Keep watches, CD's, credit cards or other data containing devices away from magnets.
If magnets become attached to other equipment, the physical force to remove may give rise to sudden dropping of equipment or magnet. Consideration to be given to gradual removal by chapping the magnet towards an edge to then reduce surface coverage before removal.
Sudden removal force may give rise to a loss of balance and a fall.
Possibility of magnetisation of other tools or equipment in area, leading to possible quality or NDT issues.
Special advice will be needed to be sought where welding in the presence of magnets.

In order to ship magnets by airfreight, our shipping consultants said that there is a test which needs to be carried out to see the strength of the magnet(s). Basically if the crate doesn’t deflect a compass by more than 2 degrees at a distance of 4.6m then 2.1m then it will be okay for airfreight. A magnetized material label is put on the crate and a statement is required on the AWB. If the magnets do deflect the compass by more than 2 degrees then you can either provide more shielding inside the crate until it doesn’t deflect the compass by 2 degrees or magnets can be shipped by sea freight with no restrictions.

Regards
Donald.