SECTION II RADIATION INFORMATION

TM 5-6635-386-12&P SECTION II RADIATION INFORMATION WARNING Always wear your beta-gamma badge or TLD badge when operating the tester and upon entering tester storage areas, and at other times as directed by the Local Radiation Protection Officer (LRPO). NOTE There is no danger to the Army Community and the general public when the tester is used, transported, stored, serviced and leak tested according to Section IV of this manual. Normal radiation exposure from a properly operating tester is far less than the maximum allowed dosage of 1.25 rem per calendar quarter, on an accumulated calendar year dosage of 5 rem. 2-1. GOOD RADIATION PRACTICES a. Always keep in mind how close you are to the tester when it is operating. Distance from the tester is your best precaution. (1) At any given distance, no matter how far or how close to the tester, when that distance is doubled going away from the tester, radiation exposure gets four times weaker. (2) At any given distance, no matter how far or how close to the tester, when that distance is cut in half going toward the tester, radiation gets four times stronger. (3) Always stand at least 5 feet away from the tester when it is operating. (4) Complete taking measurements as quickly as possible. (5) You are authorized to carry the tester only by its handle or in its carrying case. In either instance, the handle must be locked in the SAFE position. b. A busy workday can result in as many as 30 measurements. A busy workweek could result in 5 days of extensive measurements. (1) Even with extensive use, the dose to be expected from a properly operating and used tester is only 1/400 of the maximum allowed dose. (2) Thirty (30) measurements per day times 10 seconds per measurement equals 300 seconds or 5 minutes per day of exposure at 2 feet from the tester. (3) Five (5) days times 5 minutes equals 25 minutes, rounded off to 30 minutes. (4) One-half hour times 1/2 mrem/hr equals only 1/4 mrem exposure during a busy workweek. (5) Operators are allowed an average weekly dosage of 100 mrem. (6) Keep the curious away when you are on the job, but don’t frighten people by making it a big thing. (7) Always place the handle in the SAFE position when the tester is not in use. (8) Store the tester under lock and key when not in use. Only radiation protection officers and operators shall have access to tester and carrying case keys. (9) Make it a habit to routinely wear your betagamma film badge or TLD badge. Store the badge at an approved location. (10) Do not intentionally expose the Cs 137 source to air by extending it out of the tester in the 2, 4, 6 or 8-inch transmission positions. Do not withdraw the source from the measurement site before returning the handle from the SAFE position. (11) Work fast and keep proper distance from the tester. 2-1