Survey on radiation safety management (RSM) among Korean radiation workers who operate radiation generators or handle radioactive isotopes.
This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of radiation workers to radiation safety management (RSM) using survey questionnaires. Radiation workers are those who handle radiation generators, radioactive isotopes, and other radioactive materials for industrial uses. The survey was distributed to 861 radiation workers between 1 August to 5 September 2011. A knowledge of, awareness of, attitude toward, and behaviors related to RSM were analyzed by comparing the means and standard deviations. Both the knowledge and awareness of RSM among radiation workers were high. Although all questions about the awareness of RSM were answered correctly, there were also many negative responses. All questions regarding the attitude of radiation workers toward RSM were answered correctly, and their attitude toward and awareness of RSM were high. Overall, the results demonstrated that safety management is not taken seriously in many cases, highlighting the need for proper education in the future to raise awareness among radiation workers. Furthermore, it is important to establish a foundation for the efficient use of radiation based on the continuous management of radiation workers.
Department of Radiology, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Young-Hwan
YH
Ryu
Jae-Hwan
JH
Cho
Kyung-Rae
KR
Dong
Woon-Kwan
WK
Chung
Jong-Woong
JW
Lee
Eun-Jin
EJ
Choi
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011876:Radionuclide Generators / Q000592:standards; D056910:Republic of Korea; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D011868:Radioisotopes