Purpose
ORSIF (Occupational Radiation Safety Information Framework) was created to help healthcare workers in fluoroscopy labs navigate the complex landscape of radiation safety regulations in the United States.
The regulatory environment for occupational radiation safety involves multiple overlapping authorities at the federal, state, accreditation, professional, and institutional levels. This can make it difficult for workers to understand which regulations apply to them and where to find authoritative guidance.
This resource aims to:
- Organize and centralize information about radiation safety regulations
- Help users find their state's specific requirements
- Explain the hierarchy of regulatory oversight
- Provide easy access to official guidance documents
- Serve as a starting point for radiation safety compliance
Who This Is For
Physicians
Interventional cardiologists, radiologists, pain management specialists, and other physicians who perform or supervise fluoroscopy-guided procedures.
Radiologic Technologists
RTs and imaging professionals working in fluoroscopy suites, cardiac catheterization labs, and interventional radiology.
Nurses
Perioperative nurses, cath lab nurses, and other nursing staff present during fluoroscopic procedures.
Radiation Safety Officers
RSOs responsible for developing and maintaining institutional radiation safety programs.
Hospital Administrators
Administrators responsible for compliance with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
Scope
This resource focuses specifically on occupational radiation safety for healthcare workers - the people who work in and around fluoroscopy equipment. It does not cover:
- Patient radiation protection (though many resources overlap)
- Radiation therapy treatment planning
- Nuclear power or industrial radiation safety
- Environmental radiation monitoring
The primary focus is on fluoroscopy in medical settings, including:
- Cardiac catheterization laboratories
- Interventional radiology suites
- Operating rooms with C-arm fluoroscopy
- GI fluoroscopy
- Pain management procedures
Data Sources
Information in this resource was compiled from publicly available sources including:
- Federal agencies: OSHA, NRC, FDA, CDC/NIOSH
- State radiation control programs: Via CRCPD and individual state health departments
- Accreditation organizations: The Joint Commission, ACR, CAMPEP
- Professional societies: AAPM, ACR, ASRT, HPS, SIR, SCAI, ACC, AORN, SNMMI
- International organizations: ICRP, IAEA, NCRP
- Academic institutions: University radiation safety manuals
- Peer-reviewed literature: PubMed and PMC articles
Last updated: December 2025
Limitations & Disclaimer
Important
This resource is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or regulatory advice.
- Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official sources.
- State regulations vary significantly. Check your specific state's requirements.
- Institutional policies may be more restrictive than state or federal requirements.
- Consult your Radiation Safety Officer for guidance specific to your facility.
- Some PDF documents may be outdated or may have failed to download properly.
Key External Resources
These official sources should be your primary references for current regulations:
Feedback & Updates
If you notice outdated information, broken links, or have suggestions for improving this resource, please contact the ORSIF team.
This is a living document that will be updated as regulations change and new resources become available.