Renewable sources of energy, e.g. wind power plants, play an increasingly important role in the power system. Over 1000 wind power plants, with a total power of approx. 4.6 GW, are in service in Poland. Every year, they produce approx. 4.5% of domestic electrical energy (i.e. almost 8 TWh in 2015). This paper characterizes sources of electromagnetic fields in wind power plants (current generators, power engineering converters, cables, transformers) and the parameters of the electromagnetic field they produce (static magnetic field, time-varying low frequency electromagnetic field with the fundamental component of 50 Hz or 150 Hz). It presents results of investigations of electromagnetic fields in wind power plants, which covered spatial distribution and individual monitoring of worker exposure. It was found that the exposure of workers may be classified as compliant with provisions of the labour law (electric field strength E < 500 V/m, magnetic field strength H < 200 V/m, the range of protective zones of electromagnetic fields not exceeding one metre from the above-mentioned sources, temporary exposure of workers during a shift). The only electromagnetic hazards which require the application of protection measures involve localized exposure which exceeds the limits regarding workers at particular risk (pregnant women, young workers and people with medical implants).

Eliminating or reducing risk arising from the presence of dust explosive atmospheres at the workplace requires knowing the flammable and explosive properties of dusts of combustible materials. This paper presents and characterizes parameters of the explosive properties of dusts of combustible materials. Parameters characterizing explosive dusts are defined, and methods of testing them and the principles of construction and technical requirements for testing apparatus are standardized. CIOP-PIB developed test methods for maximum explosion pressure, the maximum rate of pressure rise, the deflagration index, the lower explosive limit and the minimum ignition energy. The developed methods meet the technical requirements and the methodology specified in standards PN-EN 14034 and PN-EN 13821.

The article presents original research results regarding the exposure of workers employed in the ceramic industry towards ultra small and nano particles created as a result of laser sintering as well as laser ablation. The results of the research were compared with the referential values for the abovementioned particles and the experimentally proven level of worker’s exposure was awarded a commentary.

Shoe fit assessment is a very important step during the design stage of protective footwear, just as well as the shoe size grading. This paper presents a methodology for designing protective footwear, which fit a given group of users or personalized shoes for an individual client. A 3D hand scanner was used for this purpose.