Occupational Exposure Control and Personal Monitoring
The occupational exposure control program is implemented for the protection and safety of radiation workers in medicine, industry, research and other radiation facilities. The program is designed to be compatible with internationally formulated guidelines and standards.
Technical requirements to ensure the safety of radiation workers as per the IAEA general standards; GSR part 3 (Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards General Safety Requirements) has been adopted in the occupational exposure control program.
Also, the program is compatible with the national regulations on Ionizing Radiation Protection of the Atomic Energy Safety Regulations No. 1 of 1999
Personal Monitoring Service (PMS)
There are hundreds of radiation workers island-wide who work in medicine (radiologists, radiotherapists, oncologists etc.), industry (radiographers, irradiator operators, NDT personnel etc.) and other research work. Following the national and international guidelines, it is mandatory to provide monitoring services to the radiation workers to ensure their safety and protection.
This monitoring service is provided through external dosimetry measurements using Thermo-Luminescence Dosimeters (TLD); a passive radiation sensitive material in a wearable casing. Main focus has been given to whole body dose (radiation dose received by the tissues in 10 mm depth from skin).But, eye dosimeters (for eyes) and finger dosimeters (for hands) are also available on request.
The service is provided by the Personal Monitoring Service Laboratory of SLAEB. The laboratory and the process have been accredited by Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) to be compatible with the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standards.In order to maintain the quality of service, process undergoes a rigorous routine audits, both internal and external. The external assessments are conducted as verification tests with IAEA accreditation laboratories. An internal monitoring program for radiation exposure is being developed by the PMS with the assistance of IAEA.
Workplace Monitoring
Workplace monitoring service enforces the safety of radiation workers in a radiation facility. It primarily evaluates the radiation dose and working conditions of the facility. After a detailed survey on radiation level using ambient gamma, Radon, contamination measurements and isotopic analysis, workplace conditions are evaluated and detailed report is produced. The survey can be used to identify the necessity of using radiation precautions, monitoring programs, demarking control areas or condition improvements.
Workplace monitoring programs are highly recommended for radiation facilities where unshielded sources (liquid or small-particle radioactive material) are being used (e.g.: Mineral processing facilities, Iodine treatment facilities).
The workplace monitoring can also be used to improve the workplace safety with radioactive source identification, categorization and decontamination of possible contaminations.
