Radiation - NEBOSH Quick Revision Sheet

Topic / Ionising Radiation / Non-ionising Radiation
Type of damage / Causes damage to the body at the molecular (or cellular) level (knocks electrons from atoms causing ionisation) / Gives energy to the bodies molecular structure causing the body to heat up (electrons around the atoms spin faster)
Types of Radiation / -Gamma Rays – 100’s of metres (thick concrete/lead)
-Beta Particles – 1 to 2 metres (Perspex/sheet of metal)
-Alpha Particles – 5 cm (paper/skin)
-X-Rays – Up to 100’s of metres (dependent on power setting)
-Radon Gas – no penetration power danger if trapped and breathed in. / -Ultra Violet (UV)
-Microwave
-Radio Frequency (RF)
-Infra-red
-LASER (Light Amplified Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
Potential harm / -Hair loss
-Radiation Sickness
-Damage to central nervous system
-Organ Cancers
-Blood Cancer
-Physical pain
-Death
-Birth deformities
-Infertility
-Lung cancer (Radon Gas – the cause of 2000 deaths per year) / -UV - Skin damage (burns/cancers/aging) damage to the retina (arc eye from welding)
-Microwave – cooking of organs
-Radio Frequency – cataracts/heating of body
-LASER – eye and skin damage
-Infra-red - skin burns
-Dehydration and physical pain
Occupational sources / -Nuclear power stations
-Nuclear powered ships
-Radioactive isotopes e.g. hospitals
-Hospital/vets/dentists X-Ray machines
-Non-destructive testing (X-Rays)
-Smoke detectors (Alpha particles)
-Tunnels, mines and building basements (Radon Gas)
-Calibration organisations / -LASER levellers, measuring devices
-Printers
-Cooking equipment
-Communications equipment
-Tanning tables
-Welding
-Working outdoors in sunlight
-Industrial cutting (LASER’s)
-Pointers used in teaching
-Remote controls
Control Measures / -Time (keep exposure to minimum)
-Distance (be as far away as possible)
-Shielding (put up a barrier)
-Information, instruction and training
-Supervision (RPS – Radiation Protection Supervisor in UK)
-Person Protective Equipment
-Health surveillance (dosimeters/ radiation film badges)
-Safe systems of work (in the UK put together by an RPA – Radiation Protection Advisor) / -Time (keep exposure to minimum)
-Distance (be as far away as possible)
-Shielding (put up a barrier)
-Information, instruction and training
-Supervision
-Personal Protective Equipment
-Good welfare facilities
-Sun block
-Shaded work areas
-Safe systems of work
-Radon Gas – basement sump pumps, impermeable membrane for new build structures.