The Information System on Occupational Exposure in Medicine, Industry and Reasearch (ISEMIR): Industrial radiography

Industrial radiography work is often carried out under difficult working conditions, such as in confined spaces, in extreme cold or heat, or during the night. Working under such adverse conditions might result in operational situations in which occupational radiation protection may be compromised. Experience shows that incidents involving industrial radiography sources have sometimes resulted in high doses to workers, causing severe health consequences such as radiation burns and, in a few cases, death. It has been long known that there is significant potential for industrial radiography personnel to receive non-trivial occupational exposure. However, a global perspective is lacking, as is the availability of a systematic means for improving occupational radiation protection in industrial radiography worldwide.This publication was developed under the IAEA’s statutory responsibility to provide for the worldwide application of safety standards for the protection of people against exposure to ionizing radiation. It details the results of the Information System on Occupational Exposure in Medicine, Industry and Research (ISEMIR) project during 2009–2012 and, in particular, the activities of the Working Group on Industrial Radiography (WGIR). The ISEMIR project arose from the Occupational Radiation Protection International Action Plan (approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in September 2003), which identified in Action 7 the need to establish networks for the exchange of information on experience and lessons learned between interested parties.