Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing Radiation

Locations of ionizing radiation in our facility • Type, quantity, and use • Radioactive material is any material that emits, by spontaneous nuclear disintegration, corpuscular or electromagnetic emanations 1a

Restricted/high radiation areas - definitions • Restricted area • Unrestricted area • Radiation area • High radiation area 2a

Restricted/high radiation areas - definitions • Airborne radioactivity area • Air dose • Dose • Rad 2b

Restricted/high radiation areas - definitions • Rem • Refer to section on signs and markings 2c

Potential safety problems • Exposed personnel • Hazards of the facility • Materials handled 3a

Potential safety problems • Exposures in restricted areas are strictly limited • Instances where employees may receive doses greater than those permitted 3b

Minimizing employee exposure • Surveys • Evaluation of radiation hazards • Use, release, disposal, presence of radioactive material 4a

Minimizing employee exposure • Physical surveys • Employee participation • Proper storage • Waste disposal requirements 4b

Monitoring • Monitoring equipment • Film badges • Pocket chambers • Pocket dosimeters • Film rings 5a

Monitoring • Employees required to have personal monitoring equipment: • Those who work in restricted areas • Those who work in restricted areas who are under 18 years of age • Those who work in high radiation areas 5b

Signs and markings • Radiation areas must have signs bearing the radiation caution symbol and the words: 6a

Signs and markings • High radiation areas must have a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol and the words: 6b

Signs and markings • Each high radiation area has a control device that: • reduces the radiation level • starts a conspicuous visible or audible alarm signal • Devices are not required for radiation levels established for a period of 30 days or less 6c

Signs and markings • Airborne radiation areas must have a sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol and the words: 6d

Signs and markings • Regardless of designation, each room where radioactive material is used or stored in specific quantities must have a sign or signs with: 6e

Signs and markings • Each room in which natural uranium or thorium is stored in specific quantities must have a sign with: 6f

Signs and markings • Posting exemptions • Presence of sealed sources • Rooms with patients containing radioactive material • Rooms containing radioactive materials for periods less than 8 hours 6g

Signs and markings • Posting exemptions • Materials are constantly attended by an individual • The area is subject to the employer’s control 6h

Warning signal systems • Location • Characteristics - must be distinct • Systems are automatic and have their own power supply 7a

Reports and records • Records of radiation exposure are reviewed for employees for whom monitoring is required • Individual exposure is reviewed and reported on an annual basis 8a

Reports and records • Employees who leave the company can get a copy of exposure reports • Incident reporting requirements • Requirements for employees not covered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission 8b

Standard operating procedures • A copy of the standard must be made available to employees 9a

Ionizing Radiation