Radioactive sources - are your employees safe?

March 2001 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

The hidden hazard of ionising radiation emitted by radioactive sources was highlighted in a twenty-minute documentary recently broadcast on an overseas television paystation programme. Radioactive sources utilised by industry, for various diagnostic or measure and control applications, have different activities or strengths with subsequent variations in potential to cause harm to living beings.

At present, protective measures required by law, other than those specified for non-destructive testing, entail the wearing of passive radiation detection badges referred to as TLDs or film badges. This measuring technology is silent and gives no warning of a prevailing hazardous situation.

Prevention of excessive exposure to ionising radiation is achieved by personnel concerned wearing an active electronic personal dose meter (EPD) such as the electronic personal dose meter developed and manufactured by Siemens Environmental System in the United Kingdom. This dose meter incorporates adjustable alarm levels for both dose and dose rate. The audible alarm produces a sound level in excess of 95 dB, warning the wearer of hazardous radiation levels before the individual receives any significant dose. Siemens Environmental Systems is represented in South Africa by OEN Enterprises.

[email protected]

www.oenenterprises.co.za

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