What security measures should you follow when working with or near radiation? The harmful effects of unprotected radiation exposure are well-documented.
From immediate issues like radiation poisoning to long-term effects like organ damage, being exposed to radiation without following best practices can lead to severe health problems.
In this article, we’ll share 10 safety measures you should follow when working with or near radiation.
1. Use the ALARA Principle to Minimize
When working with or near radiation, what should you do to protect yourself? The most basic safety measure you should follow is called the ALARA principle, which was introduced by the International Commission on Radiologic Protection (ICRP) more than 4 decades ago.
ALARA stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” and it’s a safety philosophy designed to help lower radiation doses and control the circulation of radioactive materials.
There are three main pillars to ALARA, which are time, distance, and shielding.
- Time: The lower the amount of time, the lower the radiation exposure. In other words, it’s always best to work as efficiently as possible in order to minimize the harmful effects.
- Distance: Radiation used in clinical settings doesn’t travel very far, so putting some distance between you and the source of the radiation energy can lower exposure.
- Shielding: Certain materials have the ability to reflect a large portion of the radiation in a clinical setting, but we’ll discuss this in detail shortly.
2. Acquire the Right Personal Protective Equipment
As mentioned in the last section, there are some metals and other materials that can block a large part of the radiation being emitted during an X-ray or similar procedure.
These materials are used to make personal protective equipment (PPE) that keeps you and your peers safe by reducing radiation exposure to a minimum level.
Lead aprons are a great example, as they can help protect vital organs while assisting in treatment or imaging procedures.
3. Establish and Follow a Radiation Protocol
All facilities that have radiation-based technology should implement and follow a strict protocol around the use and transport of these devices.
Your facility is no exception to this rule, so reach out to your radiation officer or equivalent if you’re not sure about the requirements and best practices within your clinic or practice’s protocol. This will give you a chance to evaluate the safety steps being followed and determine if you have the right equipment.
4. Pay Close Attention to Emergency Procedures
It’s important to familiarize yourself with your facility’s emergency procedures when working near radiation. Different machines and types of radiation technology require distinct measures during an unforeseen situation.
Because of this, there are very specific steps that need to be taken during an emergency involving radiation technology to prevent matters from getting worse.
These are detailed in your emergency procedures, but you won’t have time to read them during an emergency. Therefore, understanding the steps you should take to protect yourself and others during a dangerous situation is essential.
5. Conduct Internal Audits
Radiation technology has a wide range of applications and enormous potential, but it should be treated with a huge amount of caution.
This is the reason why providers like Barrier Technologies constantly work to improve the quality of their safety products and other accessories.
However, hospitals and other facilities also need to update their stock to ensure practitioners and patients have the best level of protection.
Internal audits are critical to this because they help you assess the age and condition of your devices, the quality of your personal protection equipment (PPE), and even the accuracy of your knowledge.
6. Control Radiological Equipment and Materials
Tracking and limiting access to certain areas and equipment is necessary if you’re working near radiation. If not, you run the risk of experiencing accidental exposure and other issues that can come from inappropriate use of this equipment.
Your radiation officer should create a control flow for radiological equipment and help train team members on how to update the records. At the same time, it’s a good idea to look for a digital control system that allows for better tracking and results in fewer human errors.
7. Create an Internal Dosimetry Program
Working with radiation long-term can lead to serious health issues if the right precautions aren’t taken. A good way to keep you and other team members safe is to establish a dosimetry program that allows you to see approximately how much radiation you’ve absorbed.
This, in turn, can help you minimize or completely eliminate exposure when the radiation buildup in your body is too high, lowering the chance of developing serious issues later on.
As part of this, you may be required to wear dosimeters on top as well as below your lead apron when exposed to radiation, as these devices can make the monitoring results more accurate.
Best PPE When Working With or Near Radiation
Radiation PPE has been shown to reduce radiation doses by as much as 99%, so having protective equipment is a necessity if you work with or near radiation.
It’s important to note that different types of PPE are designed to protect distinct parts of the body. As such, it’s recommended that you have access to:
- Lead aprons
- Thyroid shields
- Protective gloves
- Radiation-safe eyewear
- Movable radiation shields
- Drapes for covering medical surfaces
The best combination of PPE depends on your facility’s specialty. Barrier Technologies can help assess your requirements and ensure that you as well as the rest of your team have access to the right equipment.
In Conclusion
Following sound safety measures and best practices can help minimize your exposure to harmful radiation. This, in turn, can protect essential organs like your thyroid and help prevent diseases that come as a result of the ionizing effect.
Barrier Technologies specializes in creating high-quality protective equipment for hospitals, diagnostic clinics, and other facilities that require PPE. Browse our product gallery or contact us today to learn more about our protective gear.
