Nuclear Hazards

Protection from Ionising Radiation

Workers at uranium mines and processing plants such as those at Roxby Downs, Beverley and Honeymoon are not allowed to be exposed to levels of ionising radiation  above certain limits and all efforts must be made to limit the exposure to the lowest possible values. The maximum allowable exposure changes as new information becomes available. Consequently some workers at Roxby have been exposed to levels of ionizing radiation that are now no longer acceptable.

There are four main ways to decrease exposure from external doses of ionizing radiation:
  • Distance - physically keeping away from the source; 
  • Time - limiting the amount of time spent near the source; 
  • Shielding - providing barriers, such as lead, concrete or water between the person and the source; and 
  • Containment - keeping radioactive materials in small, confined facilities with reduced air pressure to avoid leakage into the environment.
For people working with radioactive materials, decreasing exposure to internal doses of ionizing radiation can be achieved by taking the following precautions.
  • Effectively using ventilation and air-conditioning facilities. 
  • Wearing appropriate respiratory protection devices, such as a mask. 
  • Regularly wetting down dusty areas. 
  • Showering and changing clothes. 
  • Wearing gloves and washing hands before eating or drinking.

It is also important for nuclear workers to be aware of, and use correctly, radiation detection and monitoring equipment.  Unfortunately, most of this equipment is of little use in protecting against alpha radiation from the ingestion and inhalation of  radioactive gases and dust.

Greater technical detail can be found on this topic by searching through the listed briefing papers and education resources at http://www.ccsa.asn.au/nic/.
In this section - Nuclear Hazards

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