On a daily basis, radiation types are used in a diverse range of industrial. Medical research and communications application. Even though the use of radiation comes with some benefits to our daily life, some of this radiation create potential harmful exposure risks that should be efficiently controlled.
Case study one: Lasers in Ontario Workplace
In Ontario, lasers play an essential role in every workplace in Ontario. Lasers are light amplification by stimulated emissions of radiation. The laser light is a form of ionizing radiation. Individuals might be exposed to lasers while he/she scans a bar code, performs medical procedures, monitors a machine cutting through metals among others. Lasers are known to produce the powerful beam of optical radiation which can travel for long distance while maintaining the capability to do useful work or injure an employee. Individuals that are exposed to this beam of light can suffer an eye injury and skin. Furthermore, there are non-beam hazards that people are exposed to while working in such an environment. For example, there is the risk of electric shock since the working environment is characterized by high voltage electricity. Employees can also be exposed to contaminants found in the laser plume, and even risk of fire is these radiations strike a combustible element.
Health and safety hazards of Laser radiations
The Occupation Health and Safety Act(OSHA) require workers every reasonable protection if employees might be prone to exposure of this radiations. When taking into account hazard that is linked to laser beams, individuals must know that various wavelengths of lights have unique properties. For instance, materials that are seen as opaque in visible light might be the perfect mirror in the infrared band. If any injury is reported, medical attention should be provided to the victim immediately, and the supervisor should be informed. The employer should ensure that employees know hazard associated with working with laser and control measure through a provision of instruction and proper information. Employees should also be aware of the name and contact information of the LSO for every laser they are using. Employees are advised to not to expose themselves to either direct laser beam or reflections. To help employers and supervisors, two guidelines that summarize most of the essential requirement are available in ANSI Standard Z453.8 and ANSI Standard Z234.3 (Ontario Ministry of Health,2015).
Case study two: Well Logging practice in Sudan
During the 1990s, well logging practices began in Sudan with petroleum operation. Various radiation sources have been used in this process and application have increased with increased prospect of oil. Due to the growing use of radiation, there is the need for proper radiation protection program as individuals living around such regions. It is essential to evaluate the radiological protection in this field as it is vital to prevent workers, the surrounding and the general environment against the risk of contamination by radiation.
Solutions
To limit human exposure to ionizing radiation, three ways can be used, and they include distance, time and shielding. Distance and time are best techniques to be used for people who have discovered the sources of the radiation. Shielding is essential for local authority experts to prevent the locals from exposure to such emissions. If the origin of this radiation cannot be controlled yet it has been identified; the public can be protected by combining distance and time methods. The radiation strength from the point of emission is reduced in proportion to the square distance. When emission sources are identified, the locals are advised to leave the area immediately to reduce the time and hence exposure to radiation. Also, shielding method can only be used if the team of expertise assess the area and recommend the plan as essential (Landsberger, Landsberger & Graham,2014).
Case three: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
The March 2011 disaster disabled the reactor cooling systems that lead to the release of radioactivity that prompted a 30-km evacuation region that surrounded the nuclear plant. The IIAEA Action Plan regarding nuclear safety was implemented in response to this accident and was accepted by the IAEA Board of Governors, and in September same year, it was recognized by the General Conference. This action called upon the Commission of Safety Standard to relook into the existing safety standard and come up with a solution that will ensure that such a disaster does not occur again (Lipscy, Kushida & Incerti, 2013).
Solutions
The responsibility for granting licenses to operate a nuclear plant and installation was given to the Health and Safety Executives. Furthermore, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has a role of carrying out the regular and thorough inspection of nuclear power plants.
The nuclear power plant requires proving from the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate that they have properly defined and proper arrangement put in place to deal with any emergency that might be held at any given site.
The security of nuclear [power plant was given priority, and now the responsibility of this lies with the Office of Nuclear Security.
References
Landsberger, S., Landsberger, S. G., & Graham, G. (2014). Radioactive Waste in Oil Exploration.
Lipscy, P. Y., Kushida, K. E., & Incerti, T. (2013). The Fukushima disaster and Japans nuclear plant vulnerability in comparative perspective. Environmental science & technology, 47(12), 6082-6088.
Ontario Ministry of Health (2015). Radiation Hazards and Protection, Retrieved from, https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/topics/radiation.php
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