A rock and a hard place

[Steven Hand <SHAND%UMDACC.bitnet@vmd.cso.uiuc.edu>]

From: steve hand

The January/February issue of Radiation Protection Management
has an article beginning on page 41 concerning employer liability
to fertile or pregnant employees etc...

I have responded to the authors, noting that I had enjoyed the
reading but was concerned about the statement that ALARA was
" a professional philosophy of excellence, and a program designed
to achieve that excellence."  In the new 10 CFR 20 regulations,
20.1101(b) seems to make it clear that the " licensee SHALL use,
to the extent practicable, procedures and engineering controls based
upon sound radiation protection principles to achieve ... ALARA."

My response was that by the definition above ALARA is a "practiced
duty, and responsiblity of the health physicist in the performance
of his/her duties where radiation dose is concerned."

I questioned in this case why a plantiff could not have experts in the
field of radiation protection testify that the definition in 20.1101(b)
was not followed based on their expert testimony where radiation
protection principles are sound and basic to practice and procedures.
There is a lot more to this of course - but I wish to hear the
comments from individuals with more experience than mine - which
should encompass most of the hp's out there since I am relatively
new to the field.

thank you in advance, and if anyone wishes a copy of the article
please call (301)-405-3985 and I will either fax or mail one
to you.

steve hand
UMCP, College Park MD