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Med-Pro, Inc. answers the most frequent questions regarding dosimeter badge monitoring.
Our whole-body dosimeters are utilized for monitoring ionizing radiation exposure.
We utilize ring dosimeters for measuring exposure to the hands. Regardless, if you are wearing a whole-body radiation monitor or a ring dosimeter, you must keep track of the amount of radiation exposure. We suggest that the readings should be kept in a secure area and tracked for the life of the healthcare worker.
Related: Dosimeter Badge Guidelines
Q: WHY ARE RADIATION DOSIMETER BADGES REQUIRED?
A: The primary reason that radiation dosimeter badges are required in fields where one is exposed to various radiation levels is safety. Wearing a radiation badge allows you to monitor the amount of radiation you are exposed to at work. This allows both you and your employers to know how much radiation you are exposed to so that adequate safety precautions can be followed to prevent over-exposure and potential injury.
Q: “I AM FRUSTRATED WITH OUR CURRENT RADIATION BADGE SERVICE.”
A: Because our primary focus is on YOU, the customer, we will do everything possible not only to meet your expectations but to exceed them. We have one of the highest retention rates in the industry because of our customer care. We are committed to offering the lowest prices, great customer service, without compromising the quality in radiation monitoring you require.
Q: “DOES MY PRACTICE OR BUSINESS BENEFIT FROM EMPLOYEES WEARING BADGES?”
A: Company owners and managers are beneficiaries if their employees wear personal radiation detection badges. Using our dosimetry service for documented occupational dose monitoring can provide needed information for individuals.
This can help if legal issues arise if current or past employees are diagnosed with thyroid cancer and other health-related matters (so long as the owner is able to show documented evidence that his/her employees did not exceed their occupational dose limits during their term of employment).
Related: How To Wear a Radiation Badge
Q: WHAT INDUSTRIES ARE RADIATION DOSIMETER BADGES USED IN?
A: Radiation dosimeter badges are utilized in a wide range of fields where individuals encounter regular exposure to various types of radiation. These industries include:
- Healthcare
- Veterinary
- Government
- Education
- Mining
- Nuclear power plants
- Nuclear medicine
Q: WHO IS REQUIRED TO WEAR RADIATION DOSIMETER BADGES?
A: Every employee who receives or is exposed to at least 500 mrem over the course of a single year is required to possess and wear one of these monitoring badges, or another type of monitoring device.
Q: IF AN EMPLOYEE WORKS AT TWO FACILITIES, SHOULD THEY HAVE TWO SEPERATE BADGES?
A: Yes, it is important that an employee working in multiple locations with radiation exposure has a separate badge for each workplace. This allows employers to identify where an employee was working in the event that they are exposed to too high a dose of radiation.
Q: WHAT TYPES OF RADIATION DO YOUR DOSIMETERS MONITOR?
A: Med-Pro offers a range of different dosimeter badges and products that are able to monitor several types of radiation, depending on which badge type you are using. For example, the TLD-ABGN badge monitors, X-ray, Beta, and Gamma, while also indicating the presence of Neutrons, and the TLD-XBGN Extremity badge monitors X-ray, Betas, and Photons.
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WEAR A RADIATION DOSIMETRY BADGE?
A: The dosimetry badges provided by Med-Pro come with a metal clip and a plastic strap that can easily be attached to your clothing. Whole body dosimeters should be positioned between the waist and collar when they are worn.
Best practices dictate that dosimeters should be carefully positioned at the point where an individual receives the most exposure to radiation. This means that they should be located outside any protective gear one might be wearing, and in the spot that gets closest to the primary radiation source.
Q: “IS MED-PRO, INC. RIGHT FOR ME?”
A: At Med-Pro, Inc., we work in many industries that require employee and area monitors for radiation detection. We recognize that users today want a company that meets the expectations and demands of a highly informed consumer.
Q: “IS IT EASY FOR ME TO GET MY REPORTS?”
A: Absolutely! Reports are available free of charge and available for your convenience online. You can change users, view dose reports, and download forms for reporting purposes. As long as you are a customer of Med-Pro, Inc. your forms are available.
REMEMBER – If you or your practice are required by law to monitor your employees for radiation exposure, OSHA requires you to keep records for 30 years. “The employer is required to maintain this record for at least 30 years beyond last date of employment (following the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1020).” OSHA
In case of potential lawsuits, Med-Pro, Inc. advocates that you keep your records indefinitely.
Related: The Effects of Radiation on the Body
Q: ARE THERE ADDITIONAL BADGE REQUIREMENTS FOR PREGNANT RADIATION WORKERS?
A: If you are a declared pregnant worker employed by an institution that is formally regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), then there are requirements to ensure limited radiation exposure to the embryo/fetus you are carrying. Throughout the pregnancy, exposure should be limited to 500 mrem (5 mSv) or less.
Please keep in mind, however, that individual states are controlled by other regulatory agencies that may adhere to different regulations. Please consult your institution’s radiation safety officer for more information about the requirements of your particular state.
WHEN BADGES ARE REQUIRED/NOT REQUIRED
If you operate an x-ray machine, x-ray fluorescence equipment, cabinet x-ray systems, or even x-ray diffraction equipment, you should be wearing radiation monitoring badges.
Also, if you are a Declared Pregnant Worker, and you work in a lab where energetic beta emitters are used, or with x-ray and gamma emitters.
Perhaps you don’t work under conditions where monitoring is required, but you would feel safer if you did. You may request monitoring equipment if you work where energetic beta emitters are used or with x-ray and gamma emitters.