The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has launched a new suite of occupational exposure fact sheets for people who may be exposed to radiation at work.
The fact sheets have been designed to keep readers informed about the type of radiation they may be exposed to, any possible health effects and protective measures.
ARPANSA said the use of radiation and exposure in the workplace was a normal and much needed part of many occupations.
It said, for example, that radiation was used widely in the health sector to diagnose or treat patients, the mining industry in the processing of minerals and ores, and in technology used to power homes and devices.
The fact sheets are organised by industry to help people easily find the most relevant information, it said.
ARPANSA said it had also contributed to the Cancer Council’s resource for people who worked outdoors and their employers.
“This health and safety guide provides workers with information and strategies on identifying and managing ultraviolet radiation as a workplace hazard,” the Agency said.
To monitor potential ionising radiation exposure to workers in fields such as medical, dental, chiropractic, industrial and mining, ARPANSA has a personal radiation monitoring service.
It said that as it was accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, ARPANSA used state-of-the-art technology to assess and report doses, ensuring users complied with radiation licence requirements.
It said that in addition, ARPANSA hosts the Australian National Radiation Dose Register which records the radiation doses of occupationally exposed workers.
Among the workers who may be exposed and for whom ARPANSA has a factsheet are pregnant workers, dental workers, medical workers, veterinary workers and those exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial sources and emergency workers and their helpers.
The Agency’s new factsheets can be accessed at this PS News link.
