When a radiation reading reaches 9 or higher, what action is appropriate?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Contact Radiation Safety immediately
• C. Contact Radiation Safety at any time
• D. Notify only the supervisor

Answer: (C)

A reading at or above this level signals a potential safety hazard and must be addressed by the expert team responsible for radiation control. The best action is to contact Radiation Safety at any time, because they interpret exposure readings, implement protective measures, and coordinate the response to contain and mitigate the risk. Reaching out immediately ensures proper oversight, prevents delays, and helps determine if containment, decontamination, or additional controls are needed. Doing nothing ignores the hazard, notifying only the supervisor shifts the responsibility away from the specialist, and waiting to contact Radiation Safety could miss critical, time-sensitive steps.