Radiation management
ERA's safety and health management systems are certified to AS 4801 and include a comprehensive radiation management system.
Monitoring results are compared to limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for uranium industry workers.
The ICRP sets two limits for radiation exposure, above that received from natural background or medical exposure, to distinguish between two types of people: members of the public and radiation workers.
- Members of the public: 1 millisievert (mSv) per year, and
- Radiation workers: 20 mSv per year over five years with a maximum of 50 mSv in any one year.
ERA employees and contractors whose occupational exposure to radiation may exceed 5 mSv per year are declared 'designated' workers and their exposure is closely monitored.
As part of ERA practice to have effective and appropriate communication with key stakeholders, including the regulatory authorities, radiation results are subject to review prior to being finalised.
Analysis of 2011 monitoring results
Preliminary analysis of the doses has been performed and confirm that all occupational and public radiation doses remain well below the national and international dose limits.
Average doses are in line with those measured in previous years and the maximum individual dose remains around a quarter of the annual dose limit.
Average doses are well below this maximum value and are similar in magnitude to the natural variation in background radiation experienced worldwide.
The doses are in line with the ICRP principles of Justification, Optimisation and Limitation. The doses to workers remain at the lower end of the spectrum for uranium workers.
The potential exposures of Jabiru residents and surrounding communities are also monitored, and the contribution from the Ranger mine remains very low in comparison with both the public dose limit and the natural background radiation.
The natural background in the area is 2-3 mSv but varies according to location and other factors such as dwellings and lifestyle.
The maximum and mean annual radiation doses received by designated and non-designated workers during 2011 will be reported in the 2011 Annual Radiation Protection and Atmospheric Monitoring Report to be submitted to stakeholders
The uranium industry and the Federal Government have collaborated to produce a practical, easy-to-use guide to radiation safety for workers in the mining and minerals processing sector. Click here to learn more about the Radiation Workers' Handbook.
Alternative sources of information
Click here for more information about the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office.
Click here for more information about International Atomic Energy Agency.
Click here for more information about the Australian Uranium Association.
Click here for more information about the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
Click here for more information about the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
