Radiation

Scope

OSHA’s regulations apply to most forms of non-ionizing and ionizing radiation, though they are contained in separate regulations, and in most cases are not very detailed.

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1910.97 — Non-ionizing radiation
• 29 CFR 1910.132 — General Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment
• 29 CFR 1910.133 — Eye and Face Protection
• 29 CFR 1910.268 — Telecommunications
• 29 CFR 1910.1096 — Ionizing radiation
• 29 CFR 1915.57 — Uses of fissionable material in ship repairing and shipbuilding
• 29 CFR 1915.152— General Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment
• 29 CFR 1915.153 — Eye and Face Protection
• 29 CFR 1917.1 — Scope and applicability
• 29 CFR 1917.91— Eye and Face Protection
• 29 CFR 1918.1— Scope and applicability
• 29 CFR 1918.101— Eye and Face Protection
• 29 CFR 1926.53 — Ionizing radiation
• 29 CFR 1926.54— Nonionizing Radiation
• 29 CFR 1926.95 — Criteria for Personal Protective Equipment
• 29 CFR 1926.102 — Eye and Face Protection

Note: Other agencies and organizations may prescribe standards or recommendations for radiation usage and exposure. Examples include, but are not limited to, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Key definitions

• Dose: The quantity of ionizing radiation absorbed, per unit of mass, by the body or by any portion of the body. When the provisions in this section specify a dose during a period of time, the dose is the total quantity of radiation absorbed, per unit of mass, by the body or by any portion of the body during such period of time. Several different units of dose are in current use. Definitions of units used in this section are set forth in paragraphs (a)(6) and (7) of this section.
• Electromagnetic radiation: Radiation restricted to that portion of the spectrum commonly defined as the radio frequency region, which for the purpose of this specification shall include the microwave frequency region.
• Partial body irradiation: Pertains to the case in which part of the body is exposed to the incident electromagnetic energy.
• Radiation protection guide: Radiation level which should not be exceeded without careful consideration of the reasons for doing so.
• Radiation: Includes alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, X-rays, neutrons, high-speed electrons, high-speed protons, and other atomic particles; but such term does not include sound or radio waves, or visible light, or infrared or ultraviolet light.
• Radioactive material: Any material which emits, by spontaneous nuclear disintegration, corpuscular or electromagnetic emanations.
• Restricted area: Any area access to which is controlled by the employer for purposes of protection of individuals from exposure to radiation or radioactive materials.
• Rad: A measure of the dose of any ionizing radiation to body tissues in terms of the energy absorbed per unit of mass of the tissue. One rad is the dose corresponding to the absorption of 100 ergs per gram of tissue (1 millirad (mrad)=0.001 rad).
• Rem: A measure of the dose of any ionizing radiation to body tissue in terms of its estimated biological effect relative to a dose of 1 roentgen (r) of X-rays (1 millirem (mrem)=0.001 rem). The relation of the rem to other dose units depends upon the biological effect under consideration and upon the conditions for irradiation. Each of the following is considered to be equivalent to a dose of 1 rem: (1) A dose of 1 roentgen due to X- or gamma radiation; (2) A dose of 1 rad due to X-, gamma, or beta radiation; (3) A dose of 0.1 rad due to neutrons or high energy protons; (4) A dose of 0.05 rad due to particles heavier than protons and with sufficient energy to reach the lens of the eye; (5) If it is more convenient to measure the neutron flux, or equivalent, than to determine the neutron dose in rads, as provided in paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section, 1 rem of neutron radiation may, for purposes of the provisions in this section be assumed to be equivalent to 14 million neutrons per square centimeter incident upon the body; or, if there is sufficient information to estimate with reasonable accuracy the approximate distribution in energy of the neutrons, the incident number of neutrons per square centimeter equivalent to 1 rem may be estimated from Table G-17 in the standard.
• Symbol: As used in the non-ionizing radiation standard refers to the overall design, shape, and coloring of the rf radiation sign shown in 1910.97 figure G-11.
• Unrestricted area: Any area access to which is not controlled by the employer for purposes of protection of individuals from exposure to radiation or radioactive materials.
• Whole body irradiation: Pertains to the case in which the entire body is exposed to the incident electromagnetic energy or in which the cross section of the body is smaller than the cross section of the incident radiation beam.

Summary of requirements

Under 1910.97, general industry employers:

• “Should” follow the exposure limit for electromagnetic radiation. This radiation protection guide (10 mW/sq. cm.) is expressed in voluntary language and has been ruled unenforceable for federal OSHA enforcement.
• “Must” use the warning symbol for radio frequency radiation hazards, as specified in 1910.97. However, the design in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C95.2-1982, American National Standard Radio Frequency Radiation Hazard Warning Symbol, is also acceptable, as stated in the June 18, 1992, OSHA letter of interpretation.

Under 1910.1096, general industry, marine terminal, and longshoring employers must:

• Assess operations for exposure to ionizing radiation or radioactive materials.
• Determine if there are state or federal agencies, aside from OSHA, that regulate radiation. Many states have requirements, as well as some government agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), particularly for laser usage.
• Eliminate or control exposures to ionizing radiation and airborne radioactive material per laws and regulations.
• Survey radiation hazards, supply personnel monitoring equipment as required,, maintain exposure records, inform employees of personnel monitoring records, and disclose records to former employees upon request.
• Train workers if they will work in or frequent any portion of a radiation area.
• Post signs in radiation areas, high-radiation areas, airborne radioactivity areas, and areas/rooms in which certain radioactive material is used or stored, unless exempt.
• Label containers of radioactive materials appropriately.
• Secure radioactive materials against unauthorized removal if stored in a nonradiation area.
• Dispose of radioactive material by transfer to an authorized recipient or in a manner approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or state listed at 1910.1096(p)(3).
• Establish an evacuation warning signal for exposures.
• Notify appropriate agencies and individuals in the event of an incident, as described in 1910.1096(l) and (m).

Note: Paragraph 1910.1096(p) goes over several scenarios where OSHA would deem the employer to be in compliance with the requirements of 1910.1096 with respect to possession and use of certain radiation sources or materials. The scenarios relate to NRC licenses or contracts and state licenses or source registration.

Under 1915.57, ship repair and shipbuilding employers must:

• Meet applicable provisions of NRC 10 CFR 20 for activities involving the use of or exposure to sources of ionizing radiation.
• Ensure a competent person specially trained in proper and safe operation performs activities that involve the use of radioactive materials, whether or not under license of the NRC.
• Ensure only licensed persons (or competent persons under direction of the licensee) perform any work where materials are used under NRC license.

Under 1926.53, construction employers must:

• Follow OSHA 1910.1096 for ionizing radiation.
• Follow the pertinent requirements of NRC 10 CFR 20 related to protections against worker radiation exposure when performing construction or related activities involving the use of ionizing radiation sources.
• Ensure a competent person specially trained in proper and safe operation performs activities that involve the use of radioactive materials or x-rays, whether or not under license of the NRC.
• Ensure only licensed persons (or competent persons under direction of the licensee) perform any work where materials are used under NRC license.

Under 1926.54, construction employers must:

• Ensure qualified operators — Ensure employees that install, adjust, and operate laser equipment are qualified and trained and possess proof of qualification at all times.
• Provide eye protection — Provide antilaser eye protection when employees work in areas with potential exposure to direct or reflecte laser light over 0.005 watts (5 milliwatts).
• Use markings — Post laser warning signs in areas where lasers are used. Ensure laser equipment bears a label to indicate maximum output.
• Protect employees during down time — Use beam shutters or caps or otherwise turn the laser off, when the laser action is not required. Turn the laser off when left unattended for substantial periods of time, such as for lunch, overnight, or changes in shift.
• Operate the laser safely — Only use mechanical or electronic means as a detector for guiding the internal alignment of a laser. Where practicable, prohibit operation of the laser in rain, snow, dust, or fog weather conditions. Otherwise keep employees out of range of the area of source and target.
• Direct the beam safely — Ensure the laser beam is not directed at employees. Laser unit in operation should be set up above the heads of the employees, when possible.
• Prohibit exposure — Do not expose employees to:
  • Microwave power densities in excess of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter.
  • Light intensities above 1 micro-watt per square centimeter for direct staring;
  • Light intensities above 1 milliwatt per square centimeter for incidental observing; and
  • Light intensities above 2 1⁄2 watts per square centimeter for diffused reflected light.

Under the eye protection provisions for general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, and construction:

• Select eye/face protection suitable to the laser hazard (e.g., impact, chemicals, dust) that meets one of three editions of ANSI Z87.1 (2010, 2003, and 1989-Rev 1998).
• Provide eye/face protection at no cost to the employee, with the exception of non-specialty prescription safety eyewear — provided it is allowed to be worn off the job.
• Ensure employees who require corrective lenses either use goggles/spectacles over their regular glasses, or use safety eyewear incorporating the prescription.