Professional Ethics and Administrative Responsibilities
Duties of the radiation safety professional
Understand the obligation to protect workers, the public, and the environment, and to act within the scope of authority. Know that a professional must not sign for work not performed, must report accurate information, and must escalate concerns through established channels, including differing views when a safety issue is unresolved.
Integrity in dealing with the agency
Know that complete and accurate information is required in applications, reports, and correspondence, and that false statements carry serious consequences. Understand that a licensee's management bears responsibility for the radiation protection program, and that a qualified expert or radiation safety officer advises but does not absorb management's responsibility.
Conflicts and confidentiality
Recognize conflicts of interest, the handling of proprietary and personal information, and the limits on disclosure. Questions test whether personal dosimetry and medical information are protected and whether a professional may use position for private benefit.
Worked example
A manager directs a professional to omit a minor exceedance from a report. The correct response is to refuse, document the concern, report accurately, and escalate through the chain of command or a differing-view process. The answer is never to comply because the exceedance was minor.