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Workers Using Nuclear Gauges
What do I need to know?
Nuclear gauges are a very common application of radiation where a radioactive source or a radiation generator is incorporated. The applications are but not limited to level gauges, density gauges, concentration and thickness measurement gauges, and portable density/ moisture gauges.
What are the possible exposure pathways?
There is potential for internal exposure if a sealed source used in nuclear gauge were to be damaged. Beta sources, in particular, can be easily damaged. For gamma and neutron sources, damage is much less likely owing to the use of special form radioactive material. However, in a severe accident or owing to severe environmental conditions, even these sources might be ruptured, giving rise to potential internal exposure. Providing workers with suitable information, instruction and training is important — even for those who do not directly work with radiation sources.
What is a Radiation Protection Programme?
The general objective of the radiation protection programme is to fulfil the management’s responsibility for protection and safety through the adoption of management structures, policies, procedures and organizational arrangements that are commensurate with the nature and extent of the risks. The radiation protection programme should cover all the main elements contributing to protection and safety. The radiation protection programme could relate to all phases of a practice or to the lifetime of a facility (i.e., from design through commissioning and operation or process control to decommissioning).
Radiation protection is only one element in ensuring the overall health and safety of workers. The radiation protection programme should be established and managed in close cooperation with those responsible for other areas of health and safety such as industrial hygiene, industrial safety and fire safety.
Who is responsible for your protection and safety?
The person or organization responsible for any facility or activity that gives rise to radiation risks shall have the prime responsibility for protection and safety, which cannot be delegated.
Organisations/Employers are responsible for:
- devising, implementing, and regularly reviewing their Radiation Protection Programme;
- regulatory compliance.
- development a training programme that provides the appropriate level of training and information specific to the worker`s job assignments and also general radiation protection information.
- induction and ongoing training of workers, including contractors.
- appropriate dosimetry arrangements.
- record keeping.
What are your responsibilities to the employer and the management of the facility?
Workers are responsible for:
- Following any applicable rules and procedures for protection and safety as specified by the employer, registrant or licensee.
- Using properly the monitoring equipment and personal protective equipment provided.
- Cooperating with the employer, registrant or licensee with regard to protection and safety, and programmes for workers’ health surveillance and programmes for dose assessment.
- Providing to the employer (and registrant or licensee, where appropriate) information on work history relevant to developing an effective protection and safety programme for the worker (and others).
- Communicating perspectives on job specific radiation risks gained from education and training, and otherwise cooperating with regard to developing and executing an effective protection and safety programme.
- Following radiation protection practices specified in local rules, procedures and in the Radiation Protection Programme, including the proper use of monitoring and personal protective equipment as described in those rules and procedures.
- Complying with legitimate instructions of the employer or designated Radiation Protection Officer.
- Participation in radiation protection training.
- Reporting to the employer or designated Radiation Protection Officer identified circumstances jeopardizing protection and safety of the worker or others.
- Abstaining from any wilful action that could put the worker or others in situations not in compliance with the requirements for protection and safety.
- Accepting such information, instruction and training in protection and safety as will enable them to conduct their work in accordance with the requirements of [GSR Part 3].”
What are dose limits?
The GSR Part 3 requires annual limits for public and occupational exposure to ionising radiation: 1 mSv for the members of the public and 20 mSv for workers who are occupationally exposed. Despite this, there are different definitions of who is “occupationally exposed” and who should wear personal dosimeters.