The Importance of Education and Training for Radiation Workers

Abstract

Ionizing radiation, when it hits our bodies, can ionize and excite the atomic nuclei of cells. Ionization and excitation will cause DNA damage either directly or indirectly. DNA damage is direct if ionizing radiation hits DNA, while DNA damage is indirectly through the formation of free radicals (atoms with unpaired electrons) and has a very damaging effect on DNA. Therefore, safety in ionizing radiation, including its use in the medical world, is essential. Protection includes safety avoiding deterministic effects and stochastic effects. To protect against both deterministic and stochastic effects, the role of the radiographer is significant. Heinrich (1980) estimates that (85%) accidents are the result of the contribution of unsafe work behavior (unsafe act). Radiation accidents reported by the United States Energy Atomic Commission from 1960-1968 were caused by operator error (68%), procedural errors (8%), equipment damage (15%), and others (9%). When viewed in detail, the operator's errors were not conducting a radiation survey (46%), not following procedures (36%), not using protective equipment (6%), human error (6%), and calculating radiation exposure errors (6%). Therefore, the radiographer must know and understand ionizing radiation, its dangers, and the application of radiation protection from the results of a survey conducted at Prof. Hospital. Dr. Margono Soekarjo Purwokerto to 22 radiographers showed that the level of understanding of ionizing radiation, the dangers, and the application of radiation protection is still low. Therefore education and training are very much needed for them. Keywords: Radiation Hazard, Radiation Protection, Radiographer Education and Training