Used to chase the neutron ray with a film badge, now I just check the digital dosimeter before I walk away

Back in '89 at the Palisades plant, we'd clip those little plastic badges on our collars and mail 'em off every two weeks like some kinda science project. Anyone else ditch the old-school film for instant readings and never looked back?

3 comments

3 Comments

emma9619d ago

The Palisades plant was the same way back then. I still keep an old film badge in my locker as a backup but I almost never use it. The digital dosimeters are way more reliable for tracking your actual dose in real time. Just make sure to zero it out before you enter a new area or you'll get false readings that'll mess up your records. One guy I worked with forgot to reset his and thought he got a big hit until we figured out what happened.

betty_perry2419d ago

Honestly, are you me? I remember those film badges from back in the day at the old Davis-Besse plant, and it was such a pain waiting on the mail. You'd clip it on your collar and just hope you didn't mess it up or forget to change it out on time. Tbh, switching to digital dosimeters was the best thing ever for my peace of mind. You can see your exposure right there and know exactly where you stand before you even leave the area. Ngl, I still feel a little guilty when I don't glance at that screen, old habits die hard.

casey81819d ago

Oh man, zeroing it out is key! I've seen guys panic over a false reading too, nothing worse than that heart drop when you think you soaked up a month's worth in one spot. Now I just tap the screen quick before I cross the threshold and it saves so much headache.