RADRISK Inspector: a mobile application for shielding design and safety distance calculation in industrial gamma radiography

Abstract

Industrial gamma radiography is a widely used non-destructive testing (NDT) technique, but it involves significant radiological risks that require precise planning of shielding and safety distances. Current practices rely heavily on in-situ radiometric measurements, which are time-consuming and may increase unnecessary operator exposure during setup and verification stages. This work presents RADRISK Inspector (RRI), a cross-platform mobile application that enables real-time radiological safety planning through physics-based calculations. The system estimates minimum safety distances, required shielding thickness, and risk zoning based on radionuclide activity, exposure parameters, and material attenuation properties. In addition, RRI integrates interactive zoning maps, exposure timers, and automated dosimetric reporting compliant with international standards (IAEA, CSN), supporting full digitalization of radiological risk management workflows. The application was preliminarily verified under real industrial conditions during pipeline weld inspections using an Ir-192 source. In this field case, RRI estimated an operator safety distance of 66 m, compared with 22 m obtained from in-situ dose-rate measurements, indicating conservative behaviour consistent with its safety-first planning approach. Accordingly, RRI is not intended to replace in-situ radiometric verification or high-fidelity radiation transport modelling, but to support conservative pre-inspection planning, risk zoning and traceable professional reporting in industrial gamma radiography. RRI represents a novel and beneficial application of radioactivity in modern industry, enabling proactive radiological protection, reducing unnecessary exposure, and improving operational efficiency in gamma radiography. Its compatibility with ATEX-certified devices further supports deployment in hazardous environments. This work supports a shift in radiographic NDT from reactive measurement-based practices to predictive, physics-based safety planning.