OSHA & Radiation (was: Badges for surgery)

[Steven Dapra <sjd@swcp.com>]

Jan. 14



	Clayton Bradt's posting (germane portion below) shows the invincible

ignorance of the human creature.



	How do those EMTs suppose that injured man got into the cyclotron?  That

he ran into a dangerous area after he was injured?  And that he is the only

one in the building?  Of all the stupid . . .



	EMTs will gladly take a rowboat or a power boat out into a raging river to

rescue someone who is in danger of drowning.  They will plunge into a

burning building, or drag someone out of a burning car, but they won't go

into a building with a trefoil displayed on it. 



	This is so simple-minded, or paranoid, or stupid, or what-have-you, it

defies description.



	EMTs get PAID to take risks.  That comes with the territory, so get in

there and get busy doing your job!



Steven Dapra

sjd@swcp.com



- - - - - - - -



With regard to the electrocution incident: We have had a running battle with

local code enforcement people in some municipalities who insist on requiring

posting on the outside of all buildings where radioactive materials are

stored/used - regardless of the form or quantities.  (For the protection of

first responders, they claim.)  The cyclotron facility was located in one

such municipality, and had a radiation sign on the outside of the building.

When the EMTs arrived, they at first refused to enter because of the sign.

Meanwhile the victim was unconscious on the floor and the pharmacist was

yelling and cursing at the EMTs to get them to come in to treat him.  They

finally overcame their radiophobia and the individual was transported to

hospital.  The victim recovered but had some severe burns.  Here again we

have an agency (code enforcement this time) guarding turf in an area in

which they have no expertise.  This time with near fatal consequences.



- - - - - - 



************************************************************************

You are currently subscribed to the Radsafe mailing list. To

unsubscribe, send an e-mail to Majordomo@list.vanderbilt.edu  Put the

text "unsubscribe radsafe" (no quote marks) in the body of the e-mail,

with no subject line. You can view the Radsafe archives at

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/radsafe/