Texas Industrial Radiography Gamma Practice Test

What should be done when the hairline on a pocket dosimeter goes beyond its readable scale?

1. The dosimeter is malfunctioning

2. Log the dose and recharge the dosimeter

3. The dosimeter is off-scale

4. Replace it with a new dosimeter

The correct answer is: The dosimeter is off-scale

When the hairline on a pocket dosimeter exceeds its readable scale, it indicates that the cumulative radiation exposure experienced by the dosimeter has surpassed the maximum measurement capability of that device. This situation means that the dosimeter can no longer provide an accurate reading of the exposure level. In practice, if the dosimeter is off-scale, it is important to acknowledge that the device cannot quantify how much radiation exposure has occurred beyond its limit. This necessitates a proper response, often including logging the exposure data gathered prior to reaching the off-scale limit and replacing or recharging the dosimeter to ensure continued monitoring of radiation exposure. Understanding that the dosimeter is off-scale informs the user of the necessity to take further actions to manage radiation safety adequately, such as switching to another dosimeter that can measure the radiation levels accurately.