Protection of the aircrew from exposure to cosmic radiation

General information

The aircrew is exposed to increased radiation exposure from cosmic radiation in the air. Aviation companies are obliged to implement radiation protection measures for their aircrews. Austrian radiation protection law provides for dose determination on a monthly basis for the affected aircrews if an effective dose of one millisievert per year can be exceeded. For this purpose, a dose estimate must be carried out in advance. The result of the dose estimation must be reported to the competent authority.

Enterprises affected

Aviation companies with aircrews

Deadlines

The aircraft operator shall perform an estimation of the individually expected effective dose from cosmic radiation for its aircrew. The dose estimation shall be repeated without undue delay in the event of relevant changes to parameters that are relevant for the dose, otherwise at least once every five years.

Competent authority

For occupational exposure to cosmic radiation:
the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (→ BMK)

Procedure

In the first step the aircraft operator shall perform an estimation of the individually expected effective dose from cosmic radiation for its aircrew. The dose estimation shall be performed pursuant to the specifications of Annex 23 lit A of the Allgemeine Strahlenschutzverordnung (General Radiation Protection Ordinance – AllgStrSchV), based on the flight altitude and flight time. If the conditions specified under lit A are met, the expected effective dose for the flying personnel is less than or equal to one millisievert per year. If these conditions are not met, a dose estimate according to lit B or lit C is required.

The results of the dose estimation have to be reported to the competent authority without undue delay. This report shall also include the relevant data and criteria for the estimation in accordance with Annex 23 of the AllgStrSchV must be announced (maximum flight altitude, annual flight time, if applicable the flight route). For an aircrew deployed by several aircraft operators, the sum of individual dose estimations shall determine the obligations. For the purpose of coordination, operators shall request information from their aircrew about such multiple assignments.

If the dose estimate results in an expected annual effective dose of less than or equal to one millisievert, no further measures are necessary after immediate notification to the authorities.

Where the dose estimation pursuant to paragraph 1 shows that the effective dose is expected to exceed one millisievert per year for one or more aircrew members, the aircraft operator is obligated to arrange for a dose assessment on a monthly basis. In addition, the affected aircrew must be informed and the principle of optimisation must be taken into account when creating the working schedules and establishing the air routes and profiles.

Legal bases

• sections 119 bis 122, Annex 23 of the Allgemeine Strahlenschutzverordnung
  (General Radiation Protection Ordinance^{Unofficial English translation} – AllgStrSchV)
• sections 87 bis 90 of the Strahlenschutzgesetz
  (Radiation Protection Act^{Unofficial English translation} – StrSchG)

Expert information

List of the certified services for the assessment of the dosis of aircrews (→ BMK)^{German text}