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Occupational radiation protection

Persons who are occupationally exposed to ionising radiation are monitored for reasons of radiation protection. In Germany there are 400,000 of such persons. They work for example with X-ray units, sealed high-radioactive sources or unsealed radioactive substances. They can also be exposed to an enhanced level of civilian radiation, an enhanced level of natural radiation or to cosmic radiation during flights at their workplaces. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection runs the Radiation Protection Register (SSR) as a central institution of the Federal Government. It contributes to the radiation protection monitoring of workers who are occupationally exposed to ionising radiation. In order to be effective and future-oriented, occupational radiation protection has also to engage beyond national borders.

Limit values for occupationally exposed persons

In Germany, about 420,000 persons are dose monitored for reasons of occupational radiation protection. These people work e.g. with X-ray units, sealed high-radioactive sources, unsealed radioactive substances. They can as well be exposed to an enhanced level of civilian radiation (e.g. at nuclear power stations) or natural radiation (e.g. radon in mines, show caves or drinking water facilities or to cosmic radiation during flights at their workplaces. The permissible occupational radiation exposure for these persons is limited and officially supervised.

The radiation passport

Individuals who intend to work in controlled areas of external facilities, require a valid radiation passport (§ 68 Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV)). They may perform cleaning tasks, skilled manual labour or assembly work, but also highly specialised activities such as nuclear power plant inspections. This category of individuals is often referred to as "outside workers".

National Dose Register

The German National Dose Register, or in German "Strahlenschutzregister" (SSR), is a central federal institution and is operated by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). It continuously monitors the dose limit values for occupationally exposed persons in Germany and the issuance of radiation passbooks.

Screenshot of the VR application

VR application for medical radiation protection training

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) has developed a virtual reality (VR) application for medical radiation protection training. The application can be used to train the correct handling of different components for the protection of patients and medical personnel during an examination in a virtual intervention room.

Stewardess in aircraft

Monitoring of flight personnel

At high altitudes people are exposed to considerably more cosmic radiation than at ground level. It is technically not possible to shield aircraft against cosmic radiation. Thus, pilots and flight attendants - especially if they often fly long-haul flights on polar routes - may receive radiation doses which are certainly comparable to the dose values of occupational groups using ionising radiation or handling radioactive sources.

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