Hospitals must properly label all radioactive materials.
Radiation is used in hospitals to generate CT scans and X-ray images and to treat cancer non-surgically by targeting and destroying cancer cells. In large doses, radiation is dangerous and can have harmful biological side effects. To minimize the dangers of radiation exposure, hospitals write radiation safety guidelines for their staff.
Training
Most hospitals require employees to have some form of radiation safety training. For those who don't handle radiation, it can be in a general biosafety course. Employees who come in contact with radiation typically take a separate and longer course. Hospitals often require a refresher course each year.
Labelling
Proper labeling is the key to radiation safety. Labeling all radioactive products and radiation waste insures that others know the material is dangerous. Because radiation decays over time, it's also important to date all waste and radioactive products. These materials must be kept in a special radiation area to prevent other materials from being contaminated.
Monitoring
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employees cannot have an annual radiation exposure of more than 5 rem a year on the whole body or 50 rem a year on the extremities. OSHA requires hospitals to monitor exposure of all employees who work with radiation to insure they do not exceed this dose. Each employee who handles radioactive materials has a film badge that measures radiation to record total body radiation exposure. A film finger ring measures the dose of radiation on the extremities. The hospital safety officer collects badges and rings every few months and assesses employee radiation exposure.
Minimize Exposure
OSHA requires employees to wear gloves when handling radioactive products. This minimizes skin contact with hazardous materials. In addition, employees who perform imaging or other techniques that require dispersed radiation are protected by lead shields and must maintain a safe distance from the source of the exposure.
Tags: radiation exposure, radioactive products, contact with, OSHA requires, radiation safety, radioactive materials
