Where should personnel dosimeters always be worn?

Personnel dosimeters are designed to monitor radiation exposure, so their placement is critical for accurate readings. Wearing dosimeters on the collar, outside of the lead apron, is recommended because this location allows for the correct assessment of exposure to radiation that is scattered or transmitted through the apron.

The collar position ensures that the dosimeter is placed at an area representative of the location on the body that could receive significant exposure, as the apron primarily protects the lower torso from radiation. Since the head and neck area can receive exposure particularly in certain procedures, having the dosimeter at the collar helps in capturing that information effectively for safety and compliance purposes.

In other placements, such as on the wrist or under a cap, the dosimeter may not effectively measure the primary exposure that a radiologic technologist could encounter during procedures, thus potentially leading to underestimation of exposure levels. Similarly, placing the dosimeter inside the lead apron does not provide an accurate reading of the radiation exposure due to the protective barrier, which is specifically designed to reduce exposure levels.