Emergency occupational exposure
Article 53
1. Member States shall ensure that emergency occupational exposures shall remain, whenever possible, below the values of the dose limits laid down in Article 9. 2. For situations where the above condition is not feasible, the following conditions shall apply: a) reference levels for emergency occupational exposure shall be set, in general below an effective dose of 100 mSv; b) in exceptional situations, in order to save life, prevent severe radiation-induced health effects, or prevent the development of catastrophic conditions, a reference level for an effective dose from external radiation of emergency workers may be set above 100 mSv, but not exceeding 500 mSv. 3. Member States shall ensure that emergency workers who are liable to undertake actions whereby an effective dose of 100 mSv may be exceeded are clearly and comprehensively informed in advance of the associated health risks and the available protection measures and undertake these actions voluntarily. 4. In the event of an emergency occupational exposure, Member States shall require radiological monitoring of emergency workers. Individual monitoring or assessment of the individual doses shall be carried out as appropriate to the circumstances. 5. In the event of an emergency occupational exposure, Member States shall require special medical surveillance of emergency workers, as defined in Article 49, to be carried out as appropriate to the circumstances.