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Radiation Underground: Measuring and Controlling Miners' Exposure

4 September 2018
Workers in coal mines can be exposed to radiation emitted from naturally occurring radioactive material such as uranium and thorium. Occupational radiation protection programmes aim to minimize the associated health risks. Specialised technical support organizations offer calibration and testing services for individuals and workplaces. Regulators and industries, such as coal mines, might turn to such institutes for expertise and services to support radiation safety. In this photo, an expert from Poland is preparing a sample collected at a workplace for analysis. To control and monitor workers' radiation exposure from naturally occurring radioactive material, experts prepare special measurement devices called radiation dosimeters. </br> <br> The radiation dosimeters measure radiation exposure of individuals and radiation levels in workplaces, such as coal mines.Once prepared, the dosimeters are shipped to the place where monitoring takes place. Some dosimeters, including the one in this photo, measure levels of alpha radiation. Radiation dosimeters are complex instruments and are handled by trained and qualified miners who monitor radiation levels in mines. At the end of the monitoring period, coal mines return the dosimeters to the technical support organizations. There, experts process them using special techniques and equipment to determine the radiation dose received. The results are recorded and checked for compliance with national regulations. </br> <br> Regulatory authorities shall establish the national legislation for radiation safety. The technical support organizations inform the coal mines about the radiation dose received by workers. Using this information, the coal mines might introduce additional radiation protection measures to reduce exposure.The IAEA's <a href="https://www-pub.iaea.org/books/IAEABooks/8930/Radiation-Protection-and-Safety-of-Radiation-Sources-International-Basic-Safety-Standards">International Basic Safety Standards</a>, which were jointly sponsored by several other international organizations, establish requirements for industries involving naturally occurring radioactive material. The IAEA offers Member States guidance, training, expert advice, <a href="/services/review-missions/occupational-radiation-protection-appraisals-orpas">peer reviews</a> and forums for the sharing of good practices to support them in the implementation of the requirements. </br> <br> <strong>Text:</strong> Lenka Dojcanova <br> <strong>Photos:</strong> Svetlomir Slavchev, Lenka Dojcanova </br> <br> <em>Special thanks to Burcin Okyar, the IAEA Radiation Safety Specialist, the Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity in Poland and the Ziemowit coal mine in Poland.</em>

Workers in coal mines can be exposed to radiation emitted from naturally occurring radioactive material such as uranium and thorium. Occupational radiation protection programmes aim to minimize the associated health risks.

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Last update: 5 July 2019

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