NDT Safety Checklist - Atlantis NDT

A comprehensive safety checklist for NDT operations covering general worksite safety, radiation safety (RT), electrical safety (ET/UT), chemical safety (PT/MT), confined space entry, and working at heights. Every NDT professional should review this before mobilizing to a job site.

Fill in before arriving at each job site. Keep a copy on your person and in the vehicle.

This checklist is a guide only. Always follow your employer's safety program, site-specific requirements, and applicable OSHA regulations. When in doubt, stop work and consult your safety officer.

Atlantis NDT offers radiation safety officer (RSO) training, confined space awareness, and site-specific NDT safety programs.

Need this safety checklist in an editable format? Contact us for a customizable version you can brand with your company logo and adapt to your specific safety requirements.

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Applicable to all NDT methods and all job sites. Complete these items before starting any examination work.
Hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, hearing protection (where required), fire-resistant clothing (where required). Verify PPE is in good condition and appropriate for the specific hazards present.
Ensure all required permits are in place before starting work: general work permit, hot work permit (if grinding/welding nearby), confined space permit, excavation permit, radiation work permit. Verify permits are current and signed.
Conduct or review the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for the specific work scope. Identify all hazards: fall, electrical, chemical, radiation, pinch points, overhead loads, energized equipment.
Know the location of emergency assembly points, first aid stations, fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, and emergency showers. Confirm emergency contact numbers and radio channels.
For high-risk work (confined space, radiation, remote locations), ensure a second person is designated as a standby/safety watch. Confirm communication method between workers.
Verify radios, phones, or other communication devices are functional and charged. Confirm communication with control room, safety watch, and emergency response team.
Check wind speed (affects RT boundary, elevated work), lightning risk, rain/ice (affects electrical safety, surface conditions), extreme temperatures (affects equipment performance, heat stress).
Confirm lighting levels meet requirements: general work areas minimum 50 lux, VT examination minimum 500 lux (50 fc), fluorescent inspection requires UV-A light level verification and white light below 2 fc.
Required for all radiographic testing operations. These items are in addition to general safety requirements.
Survey the source storage container (camera/projector) with a calibrated survey meter before transporting to the work site. Verify background radiation levels. Check for any nearby radiation sources.
Calculate and establish the restricted area boundary based on source activity, exposure time, and scatter radiation. Use the inverse square law. Boundary must be at 2 mR/hr or as specified by regulations.
Post "CAUTION: RADIATION AREA" and "DANGER: HIGH RADIATION AREA" signs at appropriate locations. Use rope barriers, barricades, and flashing lights. Signs must be visible from all approach directions.
Verify alarming dosimeter (APD/EPD) is functional, charged, and reset. Verify survey meter is calibrated (within 12 months) and battery is adequate. Perform check on known source to confirm meter is responding.
Review the emergency procedure for source retraction failure. Ensure emergency retrieval tools are available and accessible. Know the location of emergency equipment (long-handled tools, emergency container).
Notify the site RSO and/or client radiation safety personnel of planned radiographic operations. Confirm communication method with RSO during exposure.
Verify personnel thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) or optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) badge is current (within monitoring period). Badge must be worn at collar level, outside PPE.
Confirm cumulative dose records are current. Verify personnel have not exceeded dose limits: occupational limit 5 rem/year (50 mSv/year) total effective dose equivalent; ALARA target typically 10% of limit.
Applicable to all methods using electrically powered equipment, with special emphasis on eddy current and ultrasonic testing.
Verify all instruments, power supplies, and metallic equipment are properly grounded. Use three-prong plugs or GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection. Check ground continuity on extension cords.
Inspect all power cables, instrument cables, and probe leads for damage: cracked insulation, exposed conductors, loose connections, or strain relief damage. Replace any damaged cables before use.
Confirm voltage, frequency, and amperage of available power match equipment requirements. Use voltage regulators or UPS where power quality is poor. Verify circuit breaker capacity is adequate.
When working in rain, near water, or on wet surfaces: use GFCI protection, elevate equipment off wet surfaces, wear insulated gloves, use extra caution with prod-type MT equipment. Consider postponing work if conditions are hazardous.
Identify the nearest electrical disconnect or circuit breaker for the power source being used. Ensure it is accessible and clearly labeled. For generator power, know the emergency stop procedure.
Required when using penetrant testing or magnetic particle testing consumables containing solvents, developers, or aerosol propellants.
Review SDS for all penetrant, developer, cleaner, emulsifier, and magnetic particle consumables. SDS must be readily available at the work location. Note first aid measures, exposure limits, and fire hazards for each product.
Ensure adequate ventilation when using solvent-based penetrants, cleaners, or aerosol developers. In enclosed areas, measure airborne solvent concentrations. Use forced ventilation or supplied air if concentrations exceed PEL/TLV.
Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene) when handling penetrants, solvents, and developers. Wear splash-proof safety glasses or goggles. Use face shield when spraying overhead.
Store flammable consumables in approved flammable storage cabinets. Keep ignition sources away from solvent-based materials. Do not store penetrant materials in direct sunlight or above recommended temperature. Keep containers closed when not in use.
Dispose of used penetrant, developer residue, cleaning rags, and other contaminated materials per local environmental regulations. Do not pour solvents down drains. Use approved waste containers with proper labels.