The Army Radiation Safety program encompasses both ionizing and nonionizing radiation sources.
Ionizing radiation sources include radioactive materials and machine produced radiation, an example is x-ray sources. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) radioactive material licenses or Army Radiation Authorizations (ARAs) govern the Army ionizing sources. The ultimate goal of the Army Radiation Safety program is to keep radiation exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) to Soldiers, Civilians, Contractors, the general public, and the environment.
Nonionzing radiation safety includes lasers, radiofrequency (RF), microwave, and other electromagnetic radiation producing devices that are covered under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Laser systems that are military exempt or class 3B or 4 must have an Army laser safety program for use and safety. Electromagnetic radiation producing devices that can exceed the Maximum Permissible Exposure limits as per DODI 6055.11 must have an Army RF safety program in place.
Resources and Links
- AR 385-10: The Army Safety Program http://www.apd.army.mil/
- DA PAM 385-24: The Army Radiation Safety Program http://www.apd.army.mil/
- DA PAM 385-25: Occupational Dosimetry and Dose Recording for Exposure to Ionizing Radiation http://www.apd.army.mil/
- DoDI 6055.15: DoD Laser Protection Program http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/605515p.pdf
- TB 9-1300-278: Guidelines for Safe Response to Handling, Storage, and Transportation Accidents Involving Army Tank Munitions or Army which Contain Depleted Uranium https://www.logsa.army.mil/etmpdf/files/060000/062500/063047.pdf
- U.S. Army Radiation Safety Officer Resource and Information Library – (Regulations, Publications, Forms, Signs, and Labels, Checklist, SOPs, etc.) https://cecomsafety.apg.army.mil/rso2/darso_tree.aspx?tg=rso
- U.S. Army Public Health Command Laser and Optical Radiation webpage http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/workplacehealth/lor/Pages/default.aspx
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Information Analysis Center (CBRNIAC) http://www.cbrniac.apgea.army.mil/
- U.S. Army Laser Range Safety https://srp2.army.mil/RangeOperations/RangeSafety/default.aspx
- GTA 03-04-001A: DU Awareness AKO login required
- Poster: DAZZLERS - Laser Safety
- Videos: Green Laser Safety