RE Lead Apron Thickness

[VERNIG.PETER@FORUM.VA.GOV]

First we use only 0.5 mm Pb equivolent, with the possible exception of
the aprons dropped in the lap of dental patients.
 
Since we are a federal facility state regs do not apply and I am not
aware of any federal regs or VA rules on the subject.   Only JCAHO and
I'm sure they only care that a] aprons are worn and b] that they are all
the same thickness, they worship consistancy.
 
Mr. Balter's suggestion on aprons thin enough to register on a busy month
does not seem very practical to me.  It would seem to imply a larger 
variety of thicknesses than available.
 
Should I be faced with a Rad Tech with back problems I would be prepared
to get/authorize use of a lighter apron or dispense with it's use all to-
gether.  Faced with a conflict between ALARA and a real health problem,
ALARA comes out second.  Sorry folks!  Guess I've been tainted by my 
experiences in the general safety field.  Think the term is 
"reasonable accomodation..." isn't reasonable in ALARA somewhere?
 
Absolutely only my opinion and not VA Medical Center Denver, Dept. of 
Veterans Affairs, or US Governments.
 
Peter G. Vernig, VA Medical Center, Denver vernig.peter@forum.va.gov