RadiationRadiation is energy that is emitted from a source in the form of waves or particles. It is found throughout our environment and is emitted from both natural and artificial sources. Natural sources account for most of the radiation dose people receive yearly. Natural sources of radiation include terrestrial radiation (emitted from soil and rock), cosmic radiation (emitted from the sun) and internal radiation (breathing in radon gas). Artificial sources of radiation include X-ray machines, microwave ovens and cell phones.Radiation is generally divided into two types, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.Ionizing radiation is high-energy radiation that can add or remove electrons from atoms to form ions as it passes through a substrate such as living tissue. Chronic and acute exposure to this type of radiation can damage genetic material and result in cancer and/or death. Ionizing radiation includes alpha particles, neutrons, gamma rays and X-rays. Products that emit ionizing radiation include X-ray machines and diagnostic tracers used in nuclear medicine.Non-ionizing radiation is a lower-energy type of radiation that is unable to ionize matter and is unlikely to cause cancer. However, this type of radiation can damage human tissue through heating and may lead to heat stress. Non-ionizing radiation includes the spectrum of ultraviolet, visible and infrared light, micro and radio waves. Products that emit non-ionizing radiation include microwave ovens, cordless phones and television stations.Worker exposure to ionizing radiation is measured by radiation dose, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) provides its limits, also known as threshold limit values (TLVs). The biological effect of radiation on the human body depends on the absorbed dose, the type of radiation and which tissue or organ is being exposed to the radiation.For more information on ionizing radiation, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s website.LegislationRadiation is discussed in Part 18 of the Manitoba Workplace Health and Safety Act. This Part applies to every workplace where ionizing or non-ionizing radiation is used. However, this does not apply to (a) radiation sources subject to the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Canada) and (b) radiation provided to a medical or dental patient.Employers must (a) develop and carry out safe work procedures respecting the use of radiation in the workplace to ensure that workers are not exposed to radiation in excess of limits established in the ACGIH publication Threshold Limit Value for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Indices; (b) train workers in the safe work procedures; and (c) ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures.When workers in a workplace are or are possibly exposed to radiation levels in excess of the threshold limit values for radiation set out by ACGIH, the employer must carry out procedures that control exposure to radiation in the workplace. When implementing control measures, it is important to consider engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. In addition to control measures, employers must inform a worker who may be exposed to radiation in the workplace of the potential hazards of radiation exposure.Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Act and associated regulations are in place to protect the safety and health of workers in Manitoba. Below is a link to the regulation part associated with this safety topic.Part 18 Radiation Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and RegulationRelated linksHazards and exposures topic list
