To date, ionizing radiation finds application in a variety of contexts and sectors, with a wide range of functions.
However, their use is governed by a number of regulations in the field of occupational safety, failure to comply with which can cause problems that should not be underestimated.
In this article we offer an overview of the topic with essential information for contractors and safety figures.
What is ionizing radiation: definition and characteristics
Ionizing radiation is, by definition, electromagnetic waves and particles capable of causing, directly or indirectly, the ionization of the atoms and molecules of the materials they pass through. In practice, in passing through matter, these radiations are able, by virtue of their energy, to subtract electrons from atoms (or molecules), thus creating a charged pair of particles.
Ionizing radiation can be of two types:
- radiation of a corpuscular nature, basically subatomic or nuclear particles endowed with a certain mass and, often, an electric charge; according to the laws of quantum physics, such particles, although they are bodies endowed with mass and therefore with a certain “weight,” can behave as waves (giving rise to diffraction and interference phenomena) and during the processes of interaction with matter they can yield energy to the medium they pass through;
- radiation of a wave-like nature, called “photons,” consisting of particles of zero mass and lacking an electric charge.
Ionizing radiation includes X-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons. These types of radiation are used in various fields, such as medicine, industry, nuclear energy, and scientific research in general. However, they can also pose a health risk, especially with prolonged or intense exposure.
The characteristics of ionizing radiation are determined by its energy and its ability to ionize the molecules it passes through. The radiation dose is expressed in sieverts (Sv) and accounts for the ionizing effect on human health.
There are various contexts in which workers are exposed to risks due to the presence of radiation sources as a result of their activities. For example, employees working in radiology departments.
Regulations and standards
There are specific national and international regulations and standards for protecting workers from ionizing radiation in the workplace.
In Italy, Legislative Decree 230/95 implements the European Directive 96/29/Euratom on protecting workers’ health against risks from ionizing radiation. This decree establishes dose limits for workers and the public, methods for monitoring exposure to ionizing radiation, safety measures, and emergency procedures.
Additionally, the Italian Radiation Protection Authority (ARPANSA) provides guidelines and recommendations for radiation protection in the workplace, including environmental monitoring and the use of personal protective equipment.
At the international level, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have developed standards and recommendations for protecting individuals exposed to ionizing radiation. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published guidelines on nuclear safety and radiation protection.
Given the complexity, navigating through various regulations and their updates requires specific expertise and continuous training.
The regulations themselves offer detailed guidance on safety measures, starting with radiation measurement procedures.
Corporate Responsibility in Ionizing Radiation Protection
The use of ionizing radiation in the workplace can pose risks to the health of workers and the surrounding environment. For this reason, companies are required to implement preventive and corrective measures to ensure workplace safety.
First and foremost, businesses must identify the sources of ionizing radiation present in the workplace and assess the associated risks. Based on the results of the risk assessment, the company must develop an ionizing radiation protection plan, which includes the adoption of technical and organizational measures to minimize workers’ exposure.
In addition, the enterprise must provide workers with information on possible radiation exposures and the protective measures taken, as well as appropriate training on the use of personal protective equipment.
Finally, the enterprise must constantly monitor the degree of safety and verify the effectiveness of the protective measures taken, making corrections if necessary.
In case of non-compliance with the regulations on protection from ionizing radiation, the enterprise may be sanctioned by the competent authorities and liable for any damage caused to workers.
Techniques and instruments for measuring radiation in the workplace
The measurement of ionizing radiation in the workplace is essential to ensure the safety of workers: as such, it is a mandatory procedure by Law, with characteristics that change depending on the type of context.
Among the measuring instruments used are dosimeters, which can be personal or environmental.
Personal dosimeters are worn by workers during working hours to measure individual exposure to ionizing radiation.
Environmental dosimeters, on the other hand, are placed in strategic locations in the workplace to measure environmental exposure to ionizing radiation.
Measurement techniques include gamma spectrometry, which can detect and quantify the presence of radionuclides in a sample, and industrial radiography, which uses ionizing radiation sources to check the quality of materials.
It is therefore important that radiation protection experts working in industries with a high risk of exposure to ionizing radiation are able to equip themselves with the right tools and use the appropriate measurement techniques to ensure worker safety and comply with radiation protection regulations.
Preventive and corrective actions for occupational safety
Similar to measurement techniques, preventive and corrective actions are essential to ensure workplace safety in the presence of ionizing radiation.
Preventive actions include training personnel in the proper use of personal protective equipment and behaviors. It is also important to conduct periodic inspections of equipment and protective devices to ensure that they are functional and adequate for worker protection.
Corrective actions include reducing the sources of ionizing radiation in the workplace by, for example, replacing radioactive materials with nonradioactive ones, using low-ionizing radiation processing techniques, and correcting any equipment malfunctions.
In the event of accidental exposure to ionizing radiation, it is important to immediately implement emergency procedures and inform the appropriate medical personnel. It is also necessary to record all accidents and accidental exposures and initiate an investigation to identify the causes and prevent any repetition.
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