How to Work Safely With Gamma Radiography
Gamma rays, an electromagnetic radiation, are used in nondestructive testing, or NDT, in many industries. Many industries rely on NDT to maintain quality controls. Gamma radiography is a means by which technicians and engineers can examine crucial mechanisms on trains, airplanes, vehicles and other equipment to make certain they are free of flaws and defects.
However, working with gamma radiation requires strict safety protocols to protect workers from potentially dangerous and damaging radiating exposure. Safety protocols are important because of long-term, low-level gamma radiation exposure or short-term, high-level exposure. The chief risk from radiation exposure in the workplace is cancer.
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Instructions
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Radiation Safety
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Employees should be very familiar with gamma radiation regulations and procedures. Review, understand and practice all safety protocols and standards regarding the use of gamma radiation in your workplace. Your employer will or should have protocols and standards available outlining all safety measures regarding work with gamma radiation.
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Always wear radiation monitoring equipment when working near gamma rays. Wear the monitoring equipment -- pocket dosimeters, film badges and similar equipment -- required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, that employers provide to check for excessive radiation exposure. All employees working in areas where radiation exposure is possible should wear a monitoring device at all times.
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Radition caution signs should be posted wherever there is a potential hazard. Post warning signs to caution all employees of radiation areas. OSHA requires signs bearing the radiation caution symbol and specific words warning of radiation. The signage should be clearly posted and strictly obeyed by all employees.
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Employers should routinely have evacuation practices for their personnel, so they know what to do in case of an emergency. Make certain that all employees are aware of the evacuation signal. OSHA requires it to be a singularly identifiable sound of 75 decibels that rings throughout a building or plant, alerting all employees of a radiation leak or emergency and prompting them to evacuate the building immediately. Every area of the building should be in hearing distance of the signal. OSHA requires periodic checks and tests of the signal apparatus to make certain it is fully operational.
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Radiation safety protocols should be reviewed periodically to make sure they are up to date.. Make sure you are aware of your exposure record. While your employers must maintain past and current records of radiation exposure, you should be aware of the level of exposure you receive in any three-month period. OSHA considers a whole body radiation dose to include the entire body, head, trunk, blood-forming organs, gonads and eyes.
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Accidents can be avoided by being attentive while working with gamma radiation. Be alert while operating all equipment generating gamma radiation. Follow each and every protocol and procedure exactly as instructed and avoid allowing any distractions or diversions to compete for your attention. Working with gamma radiation is an exacting science and requires care, conscientiousness and, above all else, respect for the potential dangers posed by radiation exposure.
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