Document Ed2378pdZ8ZaxejkwYBjRb9on

IONIZING RADIATION Fig. 42-1. The penetrating power of al pha, beta, and gamma radiation. Reprinted with permiuion from "Atomic Rodjohon" 1957 by RCA Sennco Co, Inc in which the safety of such operations can be evaluated To the safety engineer who wants a mas ter check list of the items which he must consider, information on current standards of radiation safety performance, and a guide to help him tailor his own efforts or get technical help to fit his specific problems, this chapter is directed Radiation safety is part of a company's total safety program and is intimately re lated to other phases of that program Plant modification may call for the introduction of radiation devices and radioactive materi als require radiation safety reviews as well as engineering studies Traffic patterns for pedestrians and moving equipment may need to be altered to prevent or control the spread of radioactive material throughout the plant To place radiation hazards m their prop er perspective, radiation work is best intro duced to supervisors and employees by the safety engineer who knows the particular plant activities and the company's mode of operation The accident experience and basic safety problems of an organization will be identical both before and after the introduction of even extensive work with radiation. Frequency and severity rates will rise or fall predominantly from die conven tional accidents and injuries However, the control of chronic radiation exposures of per sonnel lends itself to effective accident pre vention techniques, and many radiation haz ards can be handled with common safety measures These are some of the reasons for the safety engineer to assume the initiative m making plans to handle radiation prob lems in the plant Review and discussion by the safety engi neer and supervisors of material in this chapter should point up difficulties which supervisors and employees may encounter in wozkmg safely with radiation, and should point out what management must provide in plant facilities and m items of extraordi nary expense It should enable the safety engineer to integrate radiation safety mto his present overall safety effort and to see where his program needs additional empha sis This chapter provides the safety engineer with yardsticks to measure the intensity of his problem and to help him determine when he will need technical advice for the specific situation being faced Several highly complex subjects--the characteristics of radiation, the physics of the interaction of radiation and matter, and the biological effects of radiation--are dis cussed briefly to provide some necessary basic knowledge For further study, see the comprehensive reference list at die end of the chapter Characteristics of Ionizing Radiation Irradiation of materials and living sys tems may produce changes and damage, yet causes other than exposure to radiation can produce identical or similar effects It is therefore worthwhile for the safety engi neer to become familiar with the nature of various kinds of radiation and the biological effects so that liability will not be unknow ingly accepted for related causes and effects on the health of employees Five types of ionizing radiation are cur rently of practical importance in safety work X-rays, gamma radiation, beta parti cles, alpha particles, and neutrons Nonion izing radiations, such as light rays, heat waves, and radio waves, exist These are not discussed in this chapter, but they are covered in Chapter 39, "Industrial Hygiene " Also see Fig 42-3 42-2