Chapter 2: Safety and Regulatory
Optima XR220amx X-Ray System 54400222-1EN Rev 1 DRAFT 11092010 2-8
Operator Manual © 2010 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.
WARNING While operating or servicing x-ray equipment, always keep a distance not less
than 2 meters from the focal spot and X-ray beam, protect body and do not expose
hands, wrists, arms or other parts of the body to the primary beam.
Monitoring of Personnel
Monitoring of personnel to determine the amount of radiation to which they have been exposed provides
a valuable cross check to determine whether or not safety measures are adequate. It may reveal inade-
quate or improper radiation protection practices and potentially serious radiation exposure situations.
The most effective method of determining whether or not the existing protective measures are adequate
is the use of instruments to measure the exposure. These measurements should be taken at all locations
where the operator, or any portion of the body may be exposed. Exposure must never exceed the
accepted tolerable dose.
A frequently used, but less accurate, method of determining the amount of exposure is the placement of
film at strategic locations. After a specified period of time, develop the film to determine the amount of
radiation.
A common method of determining whether personnel have been exposed to excessive radiation is the
use of personal radiation dosimeters. These consist of X-ray sensitive film or thermoluminescent material
enclosed within a holder that may be worn on the body. Even though this device only measures the radi-
ation which reaches the area of the body on which they are worn, they do provide a reasonable indica-
tion of the amount of radiation received.
Emergency Procedures
It is not always possible to determine when some components, such as the X-ray tubes, are nearing the
end of their operating lives. These components could stop operating during a patient examination.
WARNING The facility must establish procedures for handling the patient in case of the loss
of radiographic imaging or other system functions during an exam.
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