Schermtoezicht

Schermtoezicht, literally “shielding supervision” or “screen oversight” in Dutch, is a term used to describe the oversight and management of protective shielding against ionizing radiation. It is most commonly applied in settings such as medical imaging departments, dental clinics, and research laboratories where radiation-producing equipment is used. The concept encompasses the planning, installation, testing, and ongoing maintenance of shielding materials and barriers—such as lead walls, doors, windows, leaded glass, and protective aprons—to minimize radiation exposure for patients and staff.

In practice, schermtoezicht is carried out by professionals including medical physicists, radiation safety officers, radiologists, and facility engineers. Key activities include shielding design calculations, commissioning and periodic inspections, attenuation tests, verification of door interlocks and warning systems, dosimetry reviews, and the maintenance of records required for regulatory compliance. The aim is to ensure that shielding performance remains within established safety thresholds and that exposure doses stay within legally permitted limits.

Schermtoezicht is governed by national radiation protection regulations and institutional safety policies. It involves coordinated efforts among clinical staff, facility management, and radiation safety personnel, along with documentation and audits to demonstrate ongoing compliance. While the term is primarily associated with physical shielding, in some contexts it may appear in broader policy documents addressing protective measures for workplaces and public spaces, though such usage is context-dependent and less common. See also: radiation protection in medical imaging; shielding design; dosimetry.