Monitoring of radiation exposure

According to the Radiation Act (592/91), the health and radiation doses received by radiation workers must be monitored. The Radiation Decree states the maximum values which must not be exceeded. Radiation safety guides ST 1.6 and ST 7.1 by STUK contain more details about monitoring radiation exposure and classification of radiation work. Also defined are the target groups which are to be monitored.

Radiation worker exposure to radiation is monitored using personal dosimeters. At this time, there are three approved dosimetric services, of which two operate at nuclear power plants. The third, Doseco Oy, is a private, commercial dosimetric service. Radiation doses received by employees quantified by dosimetric services are recorded on the statutory dose register.

The dose register is maintained by STUK which also ensures that dose control is organised appropriately. On the basis of data recorded in the dose register, it is possible to determine the total exposure of every radiation worker and ensure that prescribed maximum values, so-called dose limits, are not exceeded.

	Dosimeter

Exposure to radiation by a radiation worker must be monitored individually when, for example, carrying out X-ray examinations, radiotherapy treatments and industrial radigraphy. Dose monitoring also concerns employees who install, fix or maintain radiation equipment, or who work in nuclear or research department controlled areas. Continual monitoring is not required when teeth are X-rayed in a dental office or when X-ray equipment is operated from a shielded control room.

In the EU, a person who will work as classified to radiation work class A, must give their new employer a so-called radiation passbook. It comprises of an individual radiological monitoring document issued by STUK and a medical certificate.

An individual radiological monitoring document can be ordered by the responsible party or the employee themselves.

More information provided by Maaret Lehtinen:
E-mail: maaret.lehtinen@stuk.fi

Approved dosimetric services

A dosimetric service which determines personal radiation doses received by an employee must be approved by STUK.  Approval requires that the dosimetric service be evaluated or the measuring system is tested and an appropriate quality control program is in place. The dosimetric service must also enter measured doses as per instructions into the STUK dose register.

/ Use of radiation

• Applications of radiation
• Principles of radiation protection
• Regulating the use of radiation
  • Inspections of use of radiation
  • Monitoring of radiation exposure
  • Classification of radiation work
  • Radiation exposure monitoring in the European Union
  • Ordering an individual radiological monitoring document
  • Medical surveillance
  • Other regulatory control
• Product requirements of radiation equipment
• Requirements during the use of radiation devices
• Regulatory authorities related to the use of ionising radiation
• Measurement standards
• Calculation programs