Page 157 - IGC BOOK

Typical Occupational Sources of Non-Ionising Radiation:

UV – welding arcs and sunlight.
IR –furnaces and glass manufacture.
Visible light – Laser cutting machine and laser pointer.
Microwaves – microwave oven used in a food industry and telecommunications equipment (e.g.
mobile phone antenna).
Radiowaves – radar antenna.

Controlling Non-Ionising Radiation

The control measures may vary depending on the type of radiation exposed.

UV – the source must be enclosed, use coverall the protect the skin from exposure, use goggles
or welding shields to protect yes from UV rays.

IR- the source must be enclosed, use coverall to protect the skin from exposure, wear gauntlets
and use googles to protect eyes.

Microwaves and Radiowaves – these radiations are absorbed by skin as well as internally into the
body, the control measures are as follows:

Enclosing the source reasonably practicable, the microwave oven used in the food industry is
designed to prevent radiation escaping from the box.

Safe Distance greater the distance from the source the lessor the dose exposed.

Isolating use interlocks systems to isolate power supply when there is a need to access to
beyond guards, the interlock system disconnect the power and prevents generating radiation.
Lasers – Direct exposure on the eye by a beam of laser light should always be avoided with any
laser, no matter how low the power; the control measure for lasers significantly depend on the
class of lasers used. Lower class avoid shining into the eyes directly, for high-class lasers use
goggles, shielding to prevent radiation escaping out of the machines.

Ionising Radiation

Types of Ionising Radiation

Alpha particles (α)

Positively charged particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons emitted from the
nucleus of some radioactive atoms. Examples uranium, thorium, and radium.

Alpha particles have a very limited ability to penetrate other materials. In other words, these
particles of ionizing radiation can be blocked by a sheet of paper, skin, or even a few inches of
air. alpha particles are potentially dangerous if they are inhaled or swallowed.

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 5 – Physical and Psychological 17
Health