Personnel dosimeters should always be worn at which location?

Personnel dosimeters are essential tools used to measure an individual’s exposure to radiation in various settings, particularly in healthcare environments where radiological procedures are performed. The primary purpose of wearing a dosimeter is to accurately assess the amount of radiation a person is exposed to during their work activities.

Wearing the dosimeter at the collar, outside of the lead apron, is the optimal choice for several reasons. The collar position is strategically situated to monitor the dose received by the upper body, including the head and neck, which are key areas that could receive significant radiation exposure during procedures. This placement helps provide an accurate representation of the radiation dose that could potentially lead to biological effects, as most radiation exposure during imaging procedures occurs above the waist level.

Additionally, wearing the dosimeter outside of the lead apron ensures that the readings are not influenced by any attenuation of radiation that the apron might provide. Lead aprons are designed to protect the body from radiation, and placing the dosimeter underneath the apron would likely result in lower readings, thereby underestimating the actual exposure received by the wearer.

In conclusion, the collar position outside of the lead apron is the best practice for ensuring accurate monitoring of radiation exposure, thereby enabling effective radiation safety management in healthcare environments.