Delimitation of Areas in Radioactive Facilities: Ensuring Protection of Workers and the Public
Protection of workers in radioactive facilities and the public is essential to ensure their safety. One important aspect of this is the delimitation of areas in radioactive facilities.
The different areas in a radioactive facility are classified according to the levels of radiation exposure that workers and members of the public are likely to receive. These areas are typically marked with radiation warning signs, and clear notices must be posted to indicate the potential hazards.
CLASSIFICATION OF RADIATION WORK AREAS
Radiation work areas can be classified into three categories:
A clean area is a work area where the amount of radiation a worker is exposed to is not likely to exceed the limit for a member of the public, which is 1 milliSievert per year.
A supervised area is a work area that requires monitoring of the radiation exposure levels, although specific protective measures and safety provisions are not normally needed. The area must be marked with radiation warning signs, and clear notices must be posted.
A controlled area is a work area where specific protection measures and safety provisions may be required to control normal exposure levels or prevent the spread of contamination during normal working conditions, and to prevent or limit potential exposures. The amount of radiation a worker in this area is likely to be exposed to exceeds 3/10 of the annual occupational dose limit. The area must be marked with radiation warning signs, and clear notices must be posted.
