Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What is the appropriate course of action when radiation exposures exceed prescribed regulatory limits?

1. Notify the employee immediately

2. File for an extension with OSHA

3. Report to OSHA within 24 hours

4. Submit an annual report

The correct answer is: Report to OSHA within 24 hours

When radiation exposures exceed prescribed regulatory limits, the appropriate course of action is to report to OSHA within 24 hours. This requirement is critical because it ensures that any potential health risks associated with overexposure to radiation are addressed promptly. Timely reporting allows regulatory agencies to assess the situation, initiate necessary investigations, and implement corrective measures to protect the health and safety of workers. In this field, adhering to regulatory limits is essential for maintaining a safe work environment, and reporting incidents of overexposure allows for the identification of trends or recurrent issues that may need to be addressed at an organizational level. Furthermore, this swift action reflects compliance with legal obligations and promotes a culture of safety within organizations handling radiation. The other options do not align with industry best practices for addressing radiation overexposure. While notifying the employee is certainly an important step, it does not fulfill the regulatory obligation of notifying OSHA. Filing for an extension with OSHA is unrelated to immediate reporting; there are no extensions for reporting overexposure events. Similarly, submitting an annual report is not adequate in situations where there has been a specific breach of regulatory limits, as immediate action must be taken in response to safety violations.