1910.1096(d): Radiation Surveys and Personal Monitoring
Employers must make radiation surveys needed to comply and supply personnel monitoring equipment such as film badges or dosimeters. Its use is required for employees entering a restricted area likely to get more than 25 percent of the applicable dose per quarter, employees under 18 likely to get more than 5 percent, and anyone entering a high radiation area.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1096(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $26,787 in current penalties.
- Most citations: AZ (3), VA (2), MI (1).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1096(d) ("Precautionary procedures and personal monitoring") is one requirement inside 1910.1096 Ionizing radiation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 9 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(d) Precautionary procedures and personal monitoring. 10 citations
(1) Every employer shall make such surveys as may be necessary for him to comply with the provisions in this section. Survey means an evaluation of the radiation hazards incident to the production, use, release, disposal, or presence of radioactive materials or other sources of radiation under a specific set of conditions. When appropriate, such evaluation includes a physical survey of the location of materials and equipment, and measurements of levels of radiation or concentrations of radioactive material present. 1 citations
(2) Every employer shall supply appropriate personnel monitoring equipment, such as film badges, pocket chambers, pocket dosimeters, or film rings, and shall require the use of such equipment by: 8 citations
(i) Each employee who enters a restricted area under such circumstances that he receives, or is likely to receive, a dose in any calendar quarter in excess of 25 percent of the applicable value specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and 3 citations
(ii) Each employee under 18 years of age who enters a restricted area under such circumstances that he receives, or is likely to receive, a dose in any calendar quarter in excess of 5 percent of the applicable value specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and
(iii) Each employee who enters a high radiation area.
(3) As used in this section: 1 citations
(i) Personnel monitoring equipment means devices designed to be worn or carried by an individual for the purpose of measuring the dose received (e.g., film badges, pocket chambers, pocket dosimeters, film rings, etc.); 1 citations
(ii) Radiation area means any area, accessible to personnel, in which there exists radiation at such levels that a major portion of the body could receive in any 1 hour a dose in excess of 5 millirem, or in any 5 consecutive days a dose in excess of 100 millirem; and
(iii) High radiation area means any area, accessible to personnel, in which there exists radiation at such levels that a major portion of the body could receive in any one hour a dose in excess of 100 millirem.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1096.
Export the list: 9 inspections cited 1910.1096(d) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: AZ (3), VA (2), MI (1), NM (1), FL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAINVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER | LAS CRUCES, NM | $16,071 |
| LIVE OAK ANIMAL HOSPITAL | LUBBOCK, TX | $6,129 |
| PATTERSON VETERINARY HOSPITAL | CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI | $2,000 |
| VETCHECK - WESLEY CHAPEL LLC | WESLEY CHAPEL, FL | $1,787 |
| CROWN POINT ANIMAL HOSPITAL | CROWN POINT, IN | $800 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
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Frequently asked questions
What is a survey?
An evaluation of radiation hazards from radioactive materials or other sources under specific conditions.
Who must wear monitoring equipment?
Employees entering restricted areas who are likely to exceed the listed percentages of the dose, and anyone entering a high radiation area.
What counts as monitoring equipment?
Devices like film badges, pocket chambers, pocket dosimeters or film rings.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1096 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.