After having heard about the magnitude of the problem of safety in the use of analytical x-ray equipment and then learned of the consequences of exposure to these x-rays, it is hard not to be convinced that a problem exists. Also being aware of the degree of responsibility in the event of an accident, it is clear that steps must be taken to prevent such occurrences. Controlling laboratory conditions is the key to prevention and, therefore, the solution to the problem.

Controls may be imposed administratively or with hardware. Administrative controls are easy and inexpensive to impose. Enforcement, however, is time consuming and difficult, since such controls need only be ignored to be compromised. Hardware controls are more positive and difficult to ignore. The bypassing of hardware controls is usually invasive on the equipment and leaves evidence.

When imposing controls it is necessary not to lose sight of the operational needs which brought the x-ray unit into your organization to begin with. Analytical x-ray machines are safest during massive power failures—but not very useful. Administrative and hardware controls which hobble the use of the equipment will be violated. Cooperation between the health physicist and the x-ray users can bring together the requirements of safety and Utility to create controls which will work.