The use of the annual average radiation dose for risk comparison purposes

For purposes of characterising and judging the acceptability of risk to which workers are likely to be exposed under the ICRP System of Dose Limitation, including the dose equivalent, the level of risk in radiation occupations has been compared in ICRP Publication 26 with the risk to workers in other occupations recognised as having high standards of safety. The annual average radiation dose of 5 mSv is used for risk comparison but has no relationship to the annual dose equivalent limit of 50 mSv with respect to limiting doses. Specific attention should be given to risk assessment in particular job categories where the annual average dose may be as high as 10-15 mSv and the maximum doses may approach the dose limit. (U.K.)