Occupational radiation exposure

Occupationally exposed persons must be adequately protected from ionising radiation. This includes individual monitoring of the absorbed radiation dose.

Occupational radiation exposure

Occupationally exposed persons means persons who:

  • in the course of their occupational activities or training may incur exposure which exceeds a dose limit for members of the public:
    • Effective Dose of 1 mSv / calendar year
    • Equivalent dose for the lens of the eye of 15 mSv / calendar year
    • Equivalent dose for the skin of 50 mSv / calendar year
  • work or undergo training at least once a week in controlled areas
  • work or undergo training at least once a week in supervised areas and may thus be exposed to an increased ambient dose rate.

Persons aged under 16 years must not be occupationally exposed.

With the new Radiological Protection Ordinance, the definition was extended to also protect persons who are exposed to radiation from natural sources (NORM, radon or aviation). With the exception of aircrew personnel, persons exposed to cosmic radiation are not considered to be occupationally exposed to radiation.

Further information

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH

Radiological Protection Division
Non-ionising Radiation and Dosimetry Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern