An employee of a company producing machines with integrated X-ray equipment for the determination of the basis weight was unintendedly exposed to radiation during necessary testing work. For the testing, the company concerned uses a self-made radiation protection cabinet, which is equipped with an emergency stop switch and an indicator light for the presence of X-ray radiation as well as integrated door contact switches. These ensure that X-ray emitters can only be operated when the door is closed. In preparation of the testing, the employee caused a failure in the electrical cabling of the cabinet, thus the door contact switches were disabled. X-rays could be emitted with the doors of the cabinet open. The employee did not wear a dosimeter during his work. The X-rays were noticed by radiation control surveys about 30 minutes after start of the work. The resulting dose was determined by use of biological dosimetry. The notional dose was estimated to 183 mGy. This exceeds the German statuary annual dose limit for the whole body dose for occupationally exposed personnel of 20 mSv.
Location: Company for X-ray equipment, Bavaria Event date: Thu, 02-07-2020
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