Which of the following are considered basic protective measures in radiation safety?

The primary protective measures in radiation safety focus on the fundamental principles that minimize exposure to radiation, and these are encapsulated in the concepts of time, distance, and shielding.

Time refers to the duration of exposure; the less time spent near a radiation source, the less radiation absorbed. Distance involves increasing the space between the worker and the radiation source; as distance increases, the amount of radiation exposure diminishes due to the inverse square law, which states that radiation intensity decreases with the square of the distance from the source. Shielding involves using materials that attenuate or block radiation, such as lead for gamma rays or concrete for neutron radiation, to protect workers from exposure.

Each of these components—time, distance, and shielding—works in conjunction to effectively reduce the risks associated with radiation exposure, making them foundational practices for anyone working in environments with potential radiation hazards. Focusing on these elements provides a structured approach to radiation safety that is fundamental to the training of radiological workers.