EH&S (Environment, Health & Safety)

Ionizing Radiation Safety Training

Field or Sales personnel may encounter or become potentially exposed to di erent forms of
radiation.   This is most likely to occur if a J&J employee visits a hospital, clinic or medical
related facility.

All J&J employees are expected to follow the host facility’s radiation health and safety program
requirements (as instructed by the host facility contact(s)).   If the facility has no radiation
safety program requirements or an employee has not been informed of any radiation health
and safety precautions to take, this training should provide basic information and guidance to
ensure the potential for radiation exposure is kept “ALARA - as low as reasonably achievable”.

IN TR ODUCTION

Knowledge is your best defense to minimize risk!

Radiation Exposure

R ADIATION SAFETY PR OGR AM

Ionizing Radiation Safety Program

Controlling Radiation Exposure

Thank you!
Lesson 1 of 5

Knowledge is your best defense to minimize risk!

EH&S (Environment, Health & Safety)

1 Training Goals: Learn basic knowledge to ensure your safety

while working with and around uoroscopic x-ray producing
equipment. Ensure that you are familiar with the hazards and
safety precautions associated with radiation exposure.

2 Bene ts: Enhance sales capability and customer relationships

through increased knowledge in radiation and radiation
safety. Prevent unnecessary exposures, injuries or illnesses.
Every day we are exposed

click on picture for larger view

Natural sources of radiation:

Background radiation from the Earth: e.g. magnetosphere, natural magnets,

and radon 

Space: e.g. cosmic rays

Sun: e.g. UV and IR

Arti cial sources of radiation:

Power lines

X-rays machines e.g.: radiographs and   uoroscopy

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

Cell phones
 Radio, TV

Microwaves

Welding equipment

Bar code readers

Basic concepts to understand 

What is ionizing radiation? Ionizing radiation is a form of radiation (waves or particles that we

can’t see, smell or touch) that may have enough energy to penetrate our clothes and skin and
deposit energy in our body.

What are the most common forms of ionizing radiation in a hospital

setting? X-rays (from a machine in imaging areas) and Gamma rays (in
Nuclear Medicine areas). Microwaves are not a form of ionizing
radiation.

How do I know that ionizing radiation is in a room/area? All areas that have ionizing radiation
present, must/should have a sign on the door with this universal symbol.

The most common sources of radiation that you will encounter when visiting medical
facilities are:
 X-ray systems

Cabinet and vaulted

Fluoroscopy machines

Including C-arms, bi-planes, and portable c-arms

Mammogram X-ray systems

Portable X-ray systems ( lm or digital)

Computerized Tomography systems (CT’s)

Extended Frequency Range (XFR) Analyzers (Hand-held or cabinet)

Always position yourself as far away from the radiation source as you can.  

Important aspects of x-ray machine use 

1. Physicians/sta involved in uoroscopy are potentially exposed to:

Scattered radiation from the patient

Primary radiation from the x-ray beam if their hands are in the radiation eld

2. Although physician/sta radiation dose is much lower than patient dose, it is proportional to patient
dose.

Higher patient dose = higher physician/sta dose

3. Be aware of the impact of high and lose dose exposure and how this can impact your health. 

Complete the content above before moving on.

Lesson 2 of 5

Radiation Exposure
EH&S (Environment, Health & Safety)

Basic radiation terminology to be aware of

Radiation dose

Radiation dose unit 

Annual dose limit 

Radiation controls 

Radiation Safety Program Administrator (RSPA)

How to recognize a radiation area

Universal Symbol of Radiation

The required color combinations

are yellow background with
either magenta, purple, or black
radiation symbol

Typical Radiation Area Signs 

These signs should be displayed

in the radiation area or on the
outside of the door leading to the
radiation area.

X-Ray Area Signs

The lights and illuminated signage

shown here are examples of “X-
 Ray On” lights that may be visible
and located on the x-ray machine
or on the entrance to the x-ray
area. These lights illuminate when
the x-ray source is in use to warn

Sensitivity to radiation and dose limits 

The trunk part of your body (waist area to neck) is considered the most sensitive part of the
body.  Therefore everyone should wear a lead apron when an x-ray machine is in use.

Be aware of the dose limits for other parts of the body.

See below limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection

(ICRP) and National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP):

Remember -- radiation dose is cumulative

Medical radiation given under a prescription of a Medical Health Care Professional does not fall
under occupational exposure.

Important information on radiation and pregnancy

Once pregnancy has been declared contact your Manager/Radiation Safety Program
Administrator(RSPA)/GHS and/or EH&S. 
If after consultation with GHS / EH&S it is decided that the work continues the fetus should be
protected by applying a supplementary equivalent-dose limit to the surface of the woman's
abdomen (lower trunk) of 2 mSv (UK) or 200 mRem (US) for the entire pregnancy.  

The dose received by the pregnant woman should not vary signi cantly month-to-month and
not exceed 0.05 mSv/month (UK) or 5 mRem/month (US).

(PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MAY VARY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY, PLEASE CHECK YOUR
LOCAL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS)

Complete the content above before moving on.

Lesson 3 of 5

Ionizing Radiation Safety Program

EH&S (Environment, Health & Safety)

All J&J employees and contract personnel who work with or around sources of x-ray producing equipment

are responsible for adhering to the guidelines of the host facility Radiation Safety Program which includes a

number of important aspects. 

Radiation Protection Basics

T I ME DI STA N C E SH I E L DI N G

Less time in a radiation use area, will lead to less radiation dose.
For patient and personnel safety, it is prudent to reduce radiation dose whenever possible to “ALARA - As Low
As Reasonably Achievable”.  

T I ME DI STA N C E SH I E L DI N G

Increasing the distance to the source of radiation, will lead to less radiation dose.

The exposure of an individual sitting 4 feet (1.2 m) from a radiation source will be 1/4 the exposure of an
individual sitting 2 feet (0.6 m) from the same source.
 T I ME DI STA N C E SH I E L DI N G

Protective equipment/shields should always be worn/considered.

To ensure that YOU, other employees, any visitors and the general public are protected, speci c controls shall
be in place and certain practices shall be followed.  

Put a lead apron (and thyroid collar if available) on before entering a room with operational x-ray equipment.

Controlling Occupational Radiation Exposure

When your presence is not required in a treatment room,  medical facility, or testing area, you should stay in
the control room or other shielded areas. 
And remember:

1 NEVER put any part of your body in the primary X-ray beam.

2 Know the location of the X-ray tube and where the areas of highest X-ray dose are i.e.: the
primary beam.

3 Ask the medical sta or Radiation Safety O cer for assistance if needed. 

Stay as far away from these areas as possible

Radiation Safety Practices

Always consider the following before entering an area where an x-ray machine may be used:

Am I “allowed” to enter room?

How do I know when x-rays are being generated?

Do I need PPE (lead apron or other)?

Do I need dosimeter?

What safety precautions will I take?

Complete the content above before moving on.
Lesson 4 of 5

Controlling Radiation Exposure

EH&S (Environment, Health & Safety)

As previously stated, we are surrounded by radiation every day of our lives. 

Background radiation comes from space, the earth, and even our own bodies.

Monthly background doses may vary depending on where you live:

Near sea level:  approximately 20 to 40 milliRem (mR) per month

Higher altitudes:  approximately 50 to 100 mR per month; (there is more

cosmic radiation from space due to less atmospheric shielding)

The average annual background radiation is increasing due to the increasing use of

radiation for medical imaging and therapy.

The next part of this training will focus on what you can do to help monitor

radiation exposure and report in the event that over exposure should occur.
EH&S Radiation Exposure Assessment
The following assessment should be completed to determine if an employee should be enrolled in J&J
radiation monitoring program:

1. Does the employee frequently visit areas where radiation is used (x-ray machines,
uoroscopes, nuclear medicine) ?

a. Yes

b. No

c. If yes, complete following questions:

2. How often does the employee work within/near an area where radiation is used/present?

a. H - Frequently (at least once a week)

b. M - Sometimes (at least once a month)

c. L - Infrequently
 3. How close does the employee work to the radiation source?

a. H – Within 1-2 meters (3.2 ft - 6.5 ft)

b. M – Within 2-4 meters (6.5 ft - 13.1 ft)

c. L – Greater than 4 meters (13.1 ft)

If you chose H or M for question(s) 2 and/or 3, then employee radiation monitoring and
shielded lead apron would be strongly recommended. 

YOUR Radiation Safety Responsibilities

Only trained Clinical Imaging Specialists are authorized to operate uoroscopic x-ray producing
equipment. 

Notify EH&S/Global Health Services/Local HR/Manager if you believe you may be pregnant to
ensure that you are aware of the correct work practice for you.

EH&S should conduct a risk assessment on all employees with potential radiation exposure.

Report concerns or conditions which may cause unnecessary radiation exposure.

Comply with the rules and procedures established by J&J related to potential exposure to
ionizing radiation.

Complete training on the risks of exposure to ionizing radiation.

Use designated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whenever the potential for exposure to
ionizing radiation exists.

Use a dosimeter whenever the potential for ionizing radiation exists and follow the procedures
for reading the results and exchanging dosimeters.

Request an occupational health consultation if you have concerns regarding your health status.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 *Per The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations

Radiation Monitoring & Dosimetry Program

Dosimeters are used to monitor our occupational radiation exposure to ensure that work practices,
engineering controls and personal protective equipment are e ective in maintaining radiation exposures
As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).

Monitored employees should be provided annual information on their personal radiation dose history. 

Records of employee radiation dose history should be maintained by EH&S and/or the radiation safety
program administrator.

Badges MUST be returned as per regional/local practice: 

If badge has not been used, write on package “NOT USED, DO NOT ANALYZE”

Unused badges still must be returned

Control badges should not be worn

 Wear dosimeter on trunk/chest part of the body by attaching to the clothing
underneath your lead vest unless local or regional regulations require
placement of the dosimeters on the outside of your lead vest.

Put apron on before entering areas that utilize radiation.

If the dosimeter is lost, obtain replacement immediately.

Dosimeters are sensitive to heat - do not leave in your car in hot temperatures.

Do not share your badge with others.

Exchange dosimeters promptly (usually quarterly) - we get charged for them if

they are not turned in.

While traveling, do not put the dosimeter through a baggage x-ray system.

Do not wear your badge during medical tests.

Do not deliberately expose your badge to radiation or place in a radiation

producing machine.

Reporting Radiation Exposure

Report any and all accidental radiation exposure to your manager, RSPA, EH&S and/or Global Health Services.
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If you are required to wear a dosimeter, you will be informed at least annually of your radiation dose and when your
dose exceeds 50% of an applicable dose limit.
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There is a routine medical surveillance examination required for workers exposed to ionizing radiation.
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If you have elevated dosimeter readings, you will be o ered an occupational health consultation.

Employee radiation monitoring program

 
The employee monitoring program provides real data to ensure that the radiation controls and safe work
practices are e ective in maintaining radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). 
 click on arrows to view dosimeters/badge types

Remember to:

Wear you badge around x-ray equipment.

If lost, obtain a replacement.

Return your dosimeter at the end of the event/wear period as instructed. 

If you have any additional questions please reach out your RSPA.
The above varies from country to country!

Complete the content above before moving on.

Lesson 5 of 5

Thank you!
EH&S (Environment, Health & Safety)

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