Which practice is NOT a component of an ALARA program?

The focus of an ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) program is to minimize radiation exposure to workers by implementing strategies that effectively limit time, distance, and shielding from radiation sources. Thus, increasing the time spent in radiation areas directly contradicts the fundamental principles of ALARA.

Under this program, practices such as pre-job ALARA reviews, job planning with lessons learned, and training mockups are all designed to enhance safety and ensure that exposure is minimized. Pre-job ALARA reviews involve assessing potential radiation hazards before commencing work, enabling workers to strategize ways to mitigate exposure. Job planning with lessons learned incorporates experiences from previous tasks to improve future job safety and efficiency. Training mockups provide hands-on experience in a controlled environment, allowing workers to practice skills and apply safety measures before working in actual radiation areas.

In contrast, spending more time in radiation areas goes against the key objective of the ALARA philosophy, which is to ensure that radiation exposure is kept as low as reasonably achievable.