Safety precautions — Describe

Describe how radioactive materials are moved, used and stored safely.

Radioactive sources are moved using long-handled tongs/forceps to keep them as far from the body as possible, and are transported in thick, lead-lined containers to absorb radiation. When in use, sources are handled with tongs (never bare hands), held for the shortest time necessary, pointed away from the body, and users may wear protective clothing and radiation-monitoring badges (dosimeters). When not in use, sources are stored in thick, lead-lined boxes/containers in a locked, clearly labelled store, kept as far as possible from areas where people work or pass by.