Occupational Radiation Safety Management at X-Ray and Radiotherapy Facilities in Teaching Hospitals in South West Nigeria

This study evaluates occupational radiation safety management practices at diagnostic X-ray and radiotherapy facilities in teaching hospitals across South West Nigeria, specifically at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife. Ionising radiation used in diagnostic imaging and cancer radiotherapy poses health risks to healthcare workers if exposure is not properly managed through engineering controls, dosimetry monitoring, and safety procedures. The assessment framework is aligned with the International Atomic Energy Agency's Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources standards. Data were collected through physical inspection of shielding adequacy using handheld survey meters, review of personal dosimetry records for 45 radiation workers across the three facilities, examination of radiation safety officer training records, and structured interviews with 18 radiographers and medical physicists. Results indicate that shielding adequacy is satisfactory at the fixed diagnostic X-ray rooms in all three facilities, but two mobile X-ray units are operated in areas without verified shielding adequacy. Personal dosimetry badge wearing compliance is below 70 percent at two of the three facilities. Quarterly dosimetry report review by the radiation safety committee is not consistently documented. Staff training in emergency radiation incident response is insufficient at all sites. Recommendations include mandating personal dosimetry compliance through departmental policy, completing shielding adequacy surveys for all mobile X-ray usage areas, and formalising quarterly safety committee review processes. Keywords: radiation safety, occupational exposure, dosimetry, teaching hospital, South West Nigeria.