- Workers in nuclear power plants and other institutions where radiology is used may be exposed to higher doses of radiation, by the nature of their professional activities and directly, by exposure to radioactive materials. Taking into account the biological effects of ionizing radiation, various protection measures have been developed over time, involving physical, chemical and biological protection.
Physical protection includes several basic elements such as reducing the exposure time, increasing the distance from the source, shielding radiation sources, as well as a series of well-established organizational measures.
- The exposure time is directly proportional to the radiation dose received, a longer time being directly associated with an increased dose. That is why minimizing the time in which a person is under the action of ionizing radiation is an important component of the modernization of protocols, planning and structure of the units that have sources of ionizing radiation, as well as of the staff training.
- The distance from the irradiation source is also of particular importance; this is also reported by the inverse square law, according to which the intensity of the X-ray beam emitted by a point source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. Due to the spread in all directions, ionizing rays are redistributed over a much larger area with increasing distance from the source. That is why keeping as much distance as possible from the source contributes to lowering the dose of radiation.
- Shielding refers to the use of various materials and protective screens capable of stopping ionizing radiation, or to significantly diminish its penetrating ability. Examples include shielding or casing of radiation-generating sources, the use of radioprotective mobile curtains and screens, walls reinforced with lead films, windows with lead salts, as well as personal means of protection against radiation such as aprons or vests made of leaded rubber, radioprotective glasses, plumbed rubber gloves, special collars made of plumbed rubber for the protection of the thyroid gland etc.
The organizational measures to ensure radiation safety include a series of security means in various fields, such as the production and use of radioactive substances, waste disposal, planning and construction of rooms and departments that produce or use ionizing radiation, the elaboration and implementation of regulatory norms in the field, the use of radiation hazard warning signs, staff training, etc.
What is a radiation safety officer?
In a nuclear power plant or in other institutions where radiology is used, there are radiation safety officers who deal with all these protective measures.
These specialists in radiation safety officer jobs have theoretical and practical knowledge of the radiation protection elements and the legislation applicable to the activity they carry out; monitoring techniques; detection equipment; elaboration of specific procedures for monitoring recyclable metallic materials according to the norms in force; elaboration of notification and intervention procedures in case of radioactive contaminated materials or radiation sources; the use of personal protective equipment and the system of individual dosimetry, etc.
Job experience that might be useful for a radiation safety officer job
The education and training of these specialists includes a bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemical science, biological science or nuclear engineering that can help them get the necessary knowledge and skills related to radiation handling. Their basic skill set and experience can be further expanded by additional training programs that may include Radiotherapy certification, Operation of Radiation Processing Facilities certification, Radiation Safety Aspects of Nucleonic Gauge certification and more.