What is the function of the Radiation Protection (RP) Department?

• A. Limits radiological exposure of workers and prevents accidental release of radioactive material.
• B. Administers payroll for RP staff.
• C. Maintains the plant’s physical security systems.
• D. Develops ergonomic guidelines for operators.

Answer: (A)

Protecting people from ionizing radiation is the main purpose of radiation protection programs. The Radiation Protection Department is responsible for limiting radiological exposure of workers and preventing accidental release of radioactive material by designing and enforcing safety controls, monitoring exposure, and ensuring proper procedures are followed. This includes routine area and personnel monitoring with dosimeters, applying the ALARA principle to keep doses as low as reasonably achievable, controlling contamination, managing radioactive waste, and providing training and incident response. Other functions, like payroll, plant security systems, or ergonomic guidelines, belong to different departments and aren’t part of RP’s safety duties.