GER Category 2 key terms

A national authority designated by the government to regulate radiation safety, including licensing, inspection, and enforcement. It has legal power to set requirements and take action against non-compliance.

A formal authorization issued by the regulatory body permitting a person or organization to conduct specified activities involving radiation sources, subject to defined conditions and limits.

The state of meeting all legal requirements, licence conditions, and regulatory directives applicable to a radiation practice. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions such as fines, suspension, or prosecution.

The principle that any practice involving radiation exposure must produce sufficient benefit to offset the detriment it causes. Practices that do not provide a net benefit should not be adopted.

As Low As Reasonably Achievable: a principle requiring that radiation doses be kept as low as reasonably achievable, taking into account economic and societal factors. It applies to all exposures and is a key element of radiation protection programs.

The maximum permissible radiation dose that a person may receive from regulated practices, as set by the regulatory body. Limits apply to occupational, public, and emergency exposures, and are not to be exceeded.

A measure of radiation dose that accounts for the type of radiation and the sensitivity of different tissues, used to assess overall health risk. It is expressed in sieverts (Sv).

The absorbed dose in a tissue or organ multiplied by a radiation weighting factor to reflect the biological effectiveness of the radiation type. It is expressed in sieverts (Sv).

The amount of energy deposited by ionizing radiation per unit mass of material. The SI unit is the gray (Gy), where one gray equals one joule per kilogram.

The rate at which radiation dose is delivered, typically expressed in sieverts per hour (Sv/h) or millisieverts per hour (mSv/h). It is used to assess exposure levels and to establish controlled areas.

Radiation exposure incurred by workers during the course of their employment, for which dose limits and monitoring requirements apply. It excludes exposures from medical procedures and natural background.

A device worn by an individual to measure and record their radiation dose over a period. Common types include film badges, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), and electronic dosimeters.

An area where specific protective measures and safety provisions are required to control radiation exposure. Access is restricted and supervised, and dose rates may exceed specified levels.

An area where occupational exposure conditions are kept under review but specific protective measures are not normally needed. It is less restrictive than a controlled area but still subject to monitoring.

A portable radiation detection instrument used to measure dose rates or contamination levels in the field. It is essential for establishing controlled areas, monitoring operations, and detecting sources.

A test performed on sealed radioactive sources to detect any release of radioactive material from the source capsule. It typically involves wiping the source and measuring the wipe for radioactivity.

A radioactive source in which the radioactive material is permanently enclosed in a capsule or bonded to a surface to prevent any release under normal use. It must be strong enough to maintain containment under foreseeable conditions.

A radioactive source that is not enclosed in a sealed capsule and can readily disperse if not handled properly. It poses contamination risks and requires strict controls.

A non-destructive testing method that uses gamma radiation from a sealed source to inspect the internal structure of materials. It is commonly used in industrial radiography for thick materials.

A non-destructive testing method that uses X-rays generated electrically to inspect materials. Unlike gamma radiography, the radiation can be turned off when not in use.

A device made of dense material, such as lead or tungsten, used to restrict the beam of radiation to the area of interest. It reduces scatter and unnecessary exposure to personnel and the public.

The apparatus used to hold and project a sealed radioactive source for radiography. It includes the source assembly, drive cable, and controls, and must be designed to safely contain the source when not in use.

A mechanism that moves a sealed source from its shielded container through a guide tube to the exposure position. It allows the radiographer to control the source remotely.

A flexible tube that directs the sealed source from the exposure device to the radiography location. It must be securely connected to prevent the source from becoming dislodged.

A documented set of procedures to respond to radiation emergencies, including accidents, lost sources, and equipment failures. It specifies roles, communication, and actions to protect workers and the public.

The actions taken immediately after a radiation emergency to mitigate consequences, including evacuation, rescue, and source recovery. It is guided by the emergency plan and may involve coordination with off-site authorities.

An event that may cause or has caused unintended radiation exposure or contamination, or that may lead to a loss of control over a radioactive source. Incidents must be reported and investigated.

The process of safely retrieving a lost, stolen, or orphan radioactive source. It requires planning, radiation monitoring, and trained personnel to minimize exposure.

A radioactive source that is not under regulatory control, either because it was never licensed or because it was abandoned, lost, misplaced, or stolen. Orphan sources pose significant safety and security risks.

A number assigned to a package of radioactive material that represents the maximum radiation dose rate at one meter from the package surface, multiplied by 100. It is used to determine transport requirements and segregation.

A packaging designed to withstand routine transport conditions and to retain its contents under normal handling. It is used for quantities of radioactive material up to specified limits.

A packaging designed to withstand severe accident conditions, including impact, fire, and immersion. It is required for transporting large quantities of radioactive material.

A mode of transport in which a single consignor has sole use of a vehicle or container, and for which specific radiation and segregation requirements apply. It allows higher dose rates and simplifies transport arrangements.

A planned and systematic set of activities to ensure that radiation safety requirements are met and that equipment and procedures perform as intended. It includes audits, inspections, and documentation.

The operational techniques and activities used to verify that equipment and processes meet specified quality requirements. It includes calibration, testing, and maintenance of radiation detection and radiography equipment.

A documented history of an individual's radiation dose, typically maintained by the employer and provided to the worker. It is used to demonstrate compliance with dose limits and to inform future monitoring.

The process of adjusting and verifying the accuracy of a radiation measuring instrument against a known standard. Regular calibration is essential for reliable dose measurements and compliance.

A formal examination by the regulatory body to verify compliance with licence conditions and regulatory requirements. Inspections may be announced or unannounced and can result in enforcement actions.