Radiography Safety Interview: 50 Questions and Sample Answers
1. What is radiography safety?
Answer: Radiography safety involves protecting workers, the public, and the environment from ionizing radiation exposure through proper procedures, shielding, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. Why is radiation safety important?
Answer: Radiation exposure can cause serious health effects, including radiation burns, cancer, and genetic mutations, making safety measures essential.
3. What are the main hazards of industrial radiography?
Answer: – Ionizing radiation exposure
- Accidental overexposure
- Improper handling of radioactive sources
4. What is ionizing radiation?
Answer: Ionizing radiation is a form of energy that removes electrons from atoms, potentially damaging living tissues.
5. What are the types of radiation used in radiography?
Answer: – X-rays
- Gamma rays
6. What is ALARA?
Answer: As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) is a principle in radiation safety aimed at minimizing exposure.
7. What are the three basic principles of radiation protection?
Answer: – Time (Minimize exposure duration)
- Distance (Increase distance from the source)
- Shielding (Use lead, concrete, or other barriers)
8. What is a controlled radiation area?
Answer: A designated zone where radiation levels exceed background levels, requiring restricted access and safety measures.
9. What PPE is required for radiography work?
Answer: – Lead aprons
- Lead gloves
- Dosimeters
- Radiation shields
10. What is a dosimeter, and why is it used?
Answer: A dosimeter measures an individual’s radiation exposure to ensure it stays within safe limits.
11. What are the maximum allowable radiation exposure limits?
Answer: – Occupational worker: 50 mSv/year
- Public: 1 mSv/year (as per ICRP guidelines)
12. What is a film badge?
Answer: A personal dosimeter that measures accumulated radiation exposure over time.
13. How does distance affect radiation exposure?
Answer: According to the inverse square law, radiation intensity decreases with the square of the distance from the source.
14. What should you do if a radiation leak is suspected?
Answer: – Evacuate the area
- Notify the radiation safety officer (RSO)
- Follow emergency procedures
15. What is shielding in radiography?
Answer: The use of barriers (lead, concrete) to reduce radiation exposure.
16. What is an X-ray generator?
Answer: A device that produces X-rays for radiographic inspection.
17. What is a gamma ray source?
Answer: A radioactive material (e.g., Iridium-192, Cobalt-60) that emits gamma rays for industrial radiography.
18. How is a radiation survey conducted?
Answer: Using a radiation survey meter to measure exposure levels around the work area.
19. What are the emergency procedures in case of a radiation accident?
Answer: – Isolate the source
- Alert safety personnel
- Follow decontamination protocols
20. What is a radiation safety officer (RSO)?
Answer: A trained individual responsible for monitoring and enforcing radiation safety regulations.
21. What are the units of radiation measurement?
Answer: – Sievert (Sv) – Measures biological effects
- Gray (Gy) – Measures absorbed dose
- Becquerel (Bq) – Measures radioactivity
22. What is half-life in radiation?
Answer: The time required for a radioactive substance to lose half of its radioactivity.
23. How do you handle radioactive materials safely?
Answer: – Use remote handling tools
- Store in shielded containers
- Minimize exposure time
24. What is radiation sickness?
Answer: A condition caused by high radiation exposure, leading to nausea, vomiting, and burns.
25. What is the difference between X-rays and gamma rays?
Answer: – X-rays are generated by machines
- Gamma rays come from radioactive isotopes
26. How is radiation leakage detected?
Answer: Using Geiger counters and radiation survey meters.
27. What is the role of a radiation work permit (RWP)?
Answer: It authorizes and outlines safety procedures for radiographic work.
28. What are non-destructive testing (NDT) methods?
Answer: – Radiographic Testing (RT)
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
- Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT)
29. How do you safely dispose of radioactive waste?
Answer: – Follow regulatory guidelines
- Use approved disposal sites
30. What are the health risks of long-term radiation exposure?
Answer: – Cancer
- Genetic mutations
- Organ damage
31. What is a Geiger-Müller counter?
Answer: A device used to detect and measure radiation levels.
32. How should a radiographic source be transported?
Answer: In shielded, labeled containers following transport regulations.
33. What is background radiation?
Answer: Natural radiation from cosmic rays, the earth, and living organisms.
34. How do you prevent unauthorized access to a radiographic site?
Answer: – Use warning signs
- Restrict entry
- Employ radiation monitors
35. What is the function of a collimator in radiography?
Answer: It focuses radiation beams to reduce scatter and exposure.
36. What is the difference between absorbed dose and equivalent dose?
Answer: – Absorbed dose (Gy) – Energy absorbed per unit mass
- Equivalent dose (Sv) – Absorbed dose adjusted for biological effect
37. What safety precautions should be taken during radiographic testing?
Answer: – Use PPE
- Follow ALARA principles
- Conduct regular safety checks
38. What are radioactive isotopes used in industrial radiography?
Answer: – Iridium-192
- Cobalt-60
39. How do you control radiation exposure in confined spaces?
Answer: – Monitor air quality
- Use protective barriers
40. What is an overexposure incident?
Answer: When a worker exceeds the permissible radiation limit, requiring medical evaluation.
41. What are the responsibilities of an RSO?
Answer: – Train employees
- Monitor radiation levels
- Ensure regulatory compliance
42. What type of radiation does Iridium-192 emit?
Answer: Gamma radiation.
43. How do you verify radiation safety compliance?
Answer: Through regular audits and inspections.
44. What is a radiation exposure record?
Answer: A log of a worker’s cumulative radiation dose.
45. What is the main purpose of a lead apron?
Answer: To reduce radiation exposure to vital organs.
46. How can radiation affect DNA?
Answer: It can cause mutations and increase cancer risk.
47. What is a radiation hazard symbol?
Answer: A trefoil sign indicating radioactive materials.
48. How do you decontaminate after radiation exposure?
Answer: – Remove contaminated clothing
- Wash skin thoroughly
49. What is radiation attenuation?
Answer: The reduction of radiation intensity as it passes through material.
50. What is the golden rule of radiation safety?
Answer: “Minimize time, maximize distance, and use proper shielding.”
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