Knowledge and Behaviors of Industrial Radiography Workers about Radiation Protection

Abstract

In our day, radiation sources have been used for useful purposes in industrial fields, but unrestrained and unconscious usage of radiation sources can be fatal. In this study, a survey has been shared online with 65 industrial radiography workers in order to assess their knowledge and behaviors towards radiation protection. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.85 demonstrated good reliability of the questionnaire. Of the participants, 53.8% had high school diploma and 29.2% had bachelor’s degree. The majority of workers (98.5%) was male and 43% of them had 11 years and more experience. The maximum percentages of industrial radiography workers’ knowledge about radiation safety basic concepts such as three basic principles of radiation protection, collimator, dosimeter usage in working condition A and effective dose were 95.4%, 93.9%, 93.8% and 90.8%, respectively. 65 participants (100%) agreed the definition as “I check radiography device and auxiliary equipment before the work commences”. 98.4% of the workers stated that they restricted the working area by using radiation warning signs and flashlights during the radiographic test. While working with radioactive sources, personnel must wear special PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as; lead gloves, lead glasses, lead apron, gonad and thyroid protection equipment etc.57% of radiographers (37) stated that they have been using the special PPE’s during the work. About 40% of responding workers (24) stated that they have not been using and 3% of them (4) stated that they have no idea about the usage of special PPE. Finally, survey results indicated that most of the radiographers who are occupationally exposed to radiation have a good knowledge and behaviors. However, some of them need to be trained about special radiation PPE usage.