Occupational Radiation Safety Guidelines

Radiation is energy that travels through space and obects. Direct exposure to radiation has harmful health effects on individuals, including tissue damage. Consequently, it is imperative for those who handle or work around radiation to control their exposure.

Concepts

• The acronym ALARA represents a fundamental concept when it comes to working with radiation. ALARA stands for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable," and speaks to minimizing a worker's exposure to radiation, because even a small dose can have damaging effects, according to the University of North Carolina's School of Dentistry.

Detection

• Radiation can only be detected through the use of specially designed scientific tools and instruments. Workers must know how to operate the equipment properly so that they can detect whether radiation is present in a work zone.

Protection

• Personal protective equipment can be worn to protect workers against the physical affects of radiation. Protective suits, for example, create a barrier that radiation cannot penetrate. The process of taking protective measures when working with radiation is known as shielding.

Contact

• Individuals should avoid direct contact with radioactive sources. The further a worker is from a radiation source, the lower the risk of exposure.