Why do radiographers wear dosimeters

The P1 dosimeter provides a measurement of the deep DDE and shallow SDE radiation dose equivalent received by the whole body when used in conjunction with the P8 collar whole body dosimeter.

A black body icon as shown on the left identifies the P1 whole body dosimeter. Wear this dosimeter on the torso at waist or chest level under the protective lead apron. A red body icon as shown on the left identifies the P8 collar whole body dosimeter.

The Luxel badge measures whole body dose from x-radiation, gamma radiation and beta radiation. The TLD measures extremity dose finger, hands etc. The TLD chip is housed in a plastic ring to be worn on your dominant hand. For more details on the proper procedure for wearing dosimetry see the section labeled "How do I wear my dosimeter? Picture courtesy of Landauer. Who needs a dosimeter? Radiation workers who operate x-ray machines, flouroscopy units, certain unsealed and sealed radioisotopes or are exposed to other sources of gamma or high energy beta radiation are generally required to wear one or more dosimeters.

The following table provides general badging guidelines for those who handle radiation sources or equipment. If you meet the following criteria and do not have a badge, please contact the Radiation Safety Office at No badge is required if you use:. A Badge is required if you use or work with:. How do I get a dosimeter? New personnel working with radiation sources or radiation producing devices must complete and RS-3 Form for Dosimetry during the Basic Radiation Safety training class.

Once Radiation Safety reviews the form, a dosimeter will be issued if needed. Do I need a dosimeter if I am pregnant? This dose limit is mR during the entire pregnancy. Do not lose or damage the badge. Report missing, lost, or damaged badges promptly to your badge coordinator or the Radiation Safety Office at Your badge will have an exchange ferquency of monthly or by calendar quarter based on risk.

If you plan on being away from work during that time, make sure your badge is accessible for exchange. A "badge coordinator" is designated for each department to assist with the exchange process. You may be subject to paying a late fee if your badge is not returned on time. Most respondents were neither aware of regulations nor sanctions for OEWs.

This could be due to the unavailability of standard operating procedures regarding personnel monitoring. Plans of applying sanctions to defaulting personnel in the diagnostic department were also noted. Respondents were generally dissatisfied with the level of personnel radiation monitoring at their departments as illustrated in Table 3.

Most expressions of dissatisfaction were registered in the diagnostic department. Leading reasons for dissatisfaction were irregular dosimeter collection periods and the unavailability of feedback to personnel as revealed by the majority of the respondents Fig. Dissatisfaction of personnel could affect their work output and their eventual productivity which will affect the patient. Radiation monitoring of OEWs at a tertiary hospital in Ghana did not meet international monitoring standards.

It was observed that although almost all working personnel were supplied with personnel dosimeters, there were long periods of delay before dosimeters were collected for analysis. Additionally, feedbacks from the service provider were readily unavailable to personnel after TLD readings, and several of the radiographers were not well informed about regulations regarding personnel dosimeter usage. Many of them did not wear their TLD badges always during work and no sanctions were applied to defaulting personnel.

There were also inadequate number of radiation experts at the hospital. These constitute contravention of local and international regulations regarding regularity in use of dosimeters and time period for collection of used dosimeters. The management of hospitals should employ the services of radiation experts to ensure that safety standards of operations are being carried out.

There should be effective training and periodic re-training of personnel to enlighten them on personnel monitoring regulations and also ensure they are kept abreast with current trends and techniques. Independent dosimeter service providers should be established to enable the regulatory body in function adequately. Concerned authorities such as the managers of health institutions, the radiation safety officers and the radiation protection Institute should ensure that radiographers as well as other occupationally exposed workers are always provided with and wear their personal monitoring devices.

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