WEAR YOURDOSEMETER

Name _______________________________

Dosimetry service______________________

You should wear your dosemeterwhenever you work with ionisingradiations. If you have lost it orforgotten it tell your supervisorimmediately. A replacement can thenbe issued or alternative arrangementsmade to assess your dose in placeswhere you might be significantlyexposed to ionising radiations (eg in a‘controlled area’).

The Ionising Radiations Regulations1999 require your employer to makesure your exposure is restricted as faras reasonably practicable and is keptbelow dose limits. If your doseexceeds the limits you will not besuspended from work unless theAppointed Doctor decides it isessential for your protection - thiswould be unusual. However, youremployer must carry out a thoroughinvestigation to find out why youreceived an over-exposure and stop it

from happening again.

Monitoring dose levels gives youremployer regular information about theeffectiveness of control measures -you can ask to see this information.Also, accurate long-term records giveAppointed Doctors a clear picture ofyour exposure.

Your dosemeter records your exposureto external radiation but it can only dothis if you wear it properly. It is in yourown interest to wear your dosemetercorrectly.

DO

■ Wear it properly (see your localprocedures)

■ Check your dosemeter can still beseen and hasn’t fallen off

■ Tell your supervisor immediately ifyou lose it or mislay it - even if youfind it later

■ Keep it away from hot pipes,corrosive chemicals and otherthings that might affect it

■ Store it securely - see youremployer’s local rules

■ Return it promptly at the correcttime

■ Always be sure you have a newdosemeter before you give up theold one

■ Report faults immediately (eg partof the dosemeter is missing orelectronic displays don’t work)

■ Tell your supervisor immediately ifyou think you may have received anunusual dose

DON’T

■ Damage the dosemeter

■ Take it apart, except whereinstructed (eg to replace the film ina film badge dosemeter)

■ Fix it where it could be covered bymetal objects such as keys

■ Store it in overalls, tool boxes orother places where it may beexposed to radiation accidentally

■ Interfere with other people’sdosemeters

■ Wear a dosemeter which has beenissued to someone else

This pocket card contains notes ongood practice which are not compulsorybut which you may find helpful inconsidering what you need to do.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

If you are a classified person youpersonally have a legal duty under theIonising Radiations Regulations 1999to wear your dosemeter - if you fail towear it HSE inspectors will treat thisas a serious offence.

It is a serious offence to interferewith other people’s dosemeters.DON’T DO IT!

Printed and published by the Health and Safety ExecutiveINDG207(C) C200 3/00