Regardless of the radiation type that is to be measured

• Check the battery
• Ensure that the instrument is switched on for 2 to 3 minutes before going into the active area but note that ion chambers may require considerably longer.
• Try to ensure that the instrument has acclimatised to the ambient conditions; for example if the instrument has been left in a cold area such as a vehicle over night, it may not be at its correct operating temperature.
• It may not always be possible to fit the preferred instrument into some confined spaces.  The use of separate probe and ratemeter instrument should be considered for some jobs.
• Place the instrument in the correct place, pointing in the correct direction, then if possible hold the instrument correctly and comfortably.
• Hold the instrument steady during the reading. 
• Make sure the display can be seen and/or the audible signal can be heard.

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