Instrument selection for radiation monitoring is not a trivial matter. There is a wide variety of instruments available to measure different types of radiation, over different energy ranges and with different levels of accuracy.

The employer is responsible for the selection of the radiation protection instruments based on the recommendations of the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA).

The RPA should be aware of the limitations of the different types of radiation protection instruments available.

All instruments have strengths and weaknesses.

Factors affecting the selection of radiation protection instrumentation include:

1. Type of radiation/contamination present.
2. Levels to be measured.
3. Environment in which the instrument is to be used. Can audio output and instrument alarms be heard clearly? Will the instrumentation work in high humidity?
4. Availability of instruments (in-house or on loan).
5. Availability of an instrument repair and calibration service.
6. Access to laboratory counters and analytical equipment where sampling, such as air sampling, is to be carried out.

 

Good practice online modules

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• Practical radiation monitoring
  
• Practical radiation monitoring units
• Radiation monitoring strategy
• Choice of radiation instrument 
• Radiation monitoring techniques  
• Estimating surface radioactivity
• Radiation instrument calibration
• Uncertainties in radiation measurement 
• Troubleshooting in radiation monitoring