A user equipment includes at least one transmitter, a processor, and a memory. The transmitter transmits RF communication signals through at least one antenna. The processor executes program code in the memory to perform operations. The operations include identifying occurrences of a user being proximately located to the at least one antenna during transmissions. The operations determine duration of the transmissions while the user continues to be identified as being proximately located to the at least one antenna, and generate a cumulative RF exposure metric based on the determined durations of the transmissions. The operations responsively initiate a RF exposure remedial action responsive to the cumulative RF exposure metric satisfying a defined rule. The user terminal may thereby operate to avoid unnecessary RF radiation exposure to a user when that exposure would reach an excessive level.