INTRODUCTION - TB-43-01330005

TB 430133

INTRODUCTION

1. Acknowledgment. This Technical Bulletin (TB) would not be possible without the as-

sistance provided by the Laser/Optical & Radiofrequency (RF) Programs of the United

States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM),

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

2. Purpose and Scope. This TB identifies U.S. Army CommunicationsElectronics

Command (CECOM) equipment and systems which have the potential to produce ra-

diofrequency (RF) and/or optical radiation. It also contains limited information on addi-

tional equipment and systems managed by other Army commands and DoD agencies.

Logistics Assistance Representatives (LAR), Safety Managers & technicians, equip-

ment operators, maintenance personnel, and other concerned individuals, should use

the information in this TB to assess the potential non-ionizing radiation hazards and

health risks associated with the various RF and/or optical equipment systems they use

in order to take the necessary precautions to avoid any potentially hazardous expo-

sures from these systems. This TB summarizes the non-ionizing radiation safety con-

trols required for the RF and/or optical radiation producing systems listed and serves as

a quick reference for personnel in the field. Ancillary safety concerns such as electrical

safety, battery safety, noise, heat, and ionizing radiation safety are NOT covered. Con-

sult your Equipment Technical Manual (TM) for specific precautions concerning these

safety topics. TB 430116, "Identification of Radioactive Items in the Army", 15 April 98,

is a source to determine if your item has a radioactive commodity incorporated into the

system. Although a substantial effort has been made to include all potentially hazardous

CECOM radiofrequency and laser/optical radiation producing equipment, some fielded

systems may not be included. If your equipment is not listed, please notify us so that we

can include your equipment in the next update to this publication. Our telephone num-

ber is DSN 9929723 or COM (732) 5329723. The hazard controls described are

for standard equipment configurations. Nonstandard configurations (i.e., using a dif-

ferent transmitter, antenna, power amplifier, etc.) will result in a system with unique haz-

ard criteria which may not agree with the controls presented in this TB. NOTE: All new

equipment configurations must be studied by USACHPPM before hazard control

information can be provided.

3. General. This TB is to be used in conjunction with the applicable Equipment TMs.

The TMs list more specific information for the equipment, including minor differences

between different versions of each system. If the equipment is not listed in this TB, con-

sult the equipment TM for specific safety information.

4. How to Use this Publication. To find a specific system, refer to the "INDEX of SYS-

TEMS by TYPE DESIGNATION/NOMENCLATURE" and proceed to the page number

given for the system. The hazard information tables are arranged by ascending Type

Designation/Nomenclature assigned to the equipment or system. If the equipment Na-

Introduction-1