TSA gathering info about radiation measurement devices for its airport screeners
Jan 6, 2012, 10:13 pm
#1
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TSA gathering info about radiation measurement devices for its airport screeners
Because machines are so safe and don't emit any radiation. That's why they are looking for info to purchase wearable devices.
http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/25384?c=cbrne_detection
“The measurements will assist the TSA in determining if the Transportation Security Officers (TSO) at selected federalized airports are exposed to ionizing radiation above minimum detectable levels, and whether any measured radiation doses approach or exceed the threshold where personnel dosimetry monitoring is required by DHS/TSA policy,” says a request for information (RFI) document made public by TSA on Dec. 29, 2011.
The full request is linked on the webpage above.
Gonna make it a bit harder to convince people how safe the machines are if the workers are wearing radiation monitors.
http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/25384?c=cbrne_detection
“The measurements will assist the TSA in determining if the Transportation Security Officers (TSO) at selected federalized airports are exposed to ionizing radiation above minimum detectable levels, and whether any measured radiation doses approach or exceed the threshold where personnel dosimetry monitoring is required by DHS/TSA policy,” says a request for information (RFI) document made public by TSA on Dec. 29, 2011.
The full request is linked on the webpage above.
Gonna make it a bit harder to convince people how safe the machines are if the workers are wearing radiation monitors.
Jan 6, 2012, 10:19 pm
#2
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It will sure have the employees guessing what's going on the day they issue them their dosimeters. Afterall, the equipment is 100% safe as they've told us time and time again. Now, the question is, will they have someone at each and every airport that is qualified to read them?
Jan 6, 2012, 10:19 pm
#3
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Unless the tests are conducted and the data collected and tabulated by an independent third-party, I have absolutely no trust in the results presented by the TSA.
Remember, it was the TSA that blatantly lied when it stated that Johns Hopkins University had declared the scanners as safe. Johns Hopkins did no such thing, but the TSA feels free to continue lying through its teeth by stating the university did.
Anyone want to make a wager that the TSA says that every single measurement devices showed that the scanners are completely safe and totally harmless?
Remember, it was the TSA that blatantly lied when it stated that Johns Hopkins University had declared the scanners as safe. Johns Hopkins did no such thing, but the TSA feels free to continue lying through its teeth by stating the university did.
Anyone want to make a wager that the TSA says that every single measurement devices showed that the scanners are completely safe and totally harmless?
Jan 6, 2012, 10:51 pm
#4
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It will sure have the employees guessing what's going on the day they issue them their dosimeters. Afterall, the equipment is 100% safe as they've told us time and time again. Now, the question is, will they have someone at each and every airport that is qualified to read them?
Jan 7, 2012, 3:13 am
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Jan 7, 2012, 4:35 am
#6
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See comrades there is no rads, it is safe like we tell you. Now go on and get on the plane it leaves for ....
Jan 7, 2012, 7:52 am
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Now the other questions, if not previously answered by TSA themselves - let's hope that they continuously inspect them machines on a regular/periodic (should really be a daily) basis for their own health & safety sakes as well as those around them. And, that it is calibrated properly & records are kept - I wonder if OSHA will step in if claims started coming in.
It's not going to harm or kill anyone in a matter of days or even weeks or months .... but, over the years, hmmmm - it's cumulative and on top of other exposures for health or natural reasons - them blue shirts will find out about the effects way, way down the road when it's too late.
Jan 7, 2012, 8:40 am
#8
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It will sure have the employees guessing what's going on the day they issue them their dosimeters. Afterall, the equipment is 100% safe as they've told us time and time again. Now, the question is, will they have someone at each and every airport that is qualified to read them?
“Employees get nervous about possible hazards and raise a stink about it,” this expert noted. He said his company has sold many dosimetry devices in the wake of the Fukushima reactor disaster in Japan last year because employees at some U.S. companies had become overly worried about radiation exposure.
Now it's those darned overly worried employees. About time, I say.
When I asked one TSA employee during an opt-out at SEA where his dosimeter was, he replied quite sincerely "I wish we had them."
Jan 7, 2012, 8:46 am
#9
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+1 Hazardous or hardship duty pays, LOL ?
Now the other questions, if not previously answered by TSA themselves - let's hope that they continuously inspect them machines on a regular/periodic (should really be a daily) basis for their own health & safety sakes as well as those around them. And, that it is calibrated properly & records are kept - I wonder if OSHA will step in if claims started coming in.
It's not going to harm or kill anyone in a matter of days or even weeks or months .... but, over the years, hmmmm - it's cumulative and on top of other exposures for health or natural reasons - them blue shirts will find out about the effects way, way down the road when it's too late.
Now the other questions, if not previously answered by TSA themselves - let's hope that they continuously inspect them machines on a regular/periodic (should really be a daily) basis for their own health & safety sakes as well as those around them. And, that it is calibrated properly & records are kept - I wonder if OSHA will step in if claims started coming in.
It's not going to harm or kill anyone in a matter of days or even weeks or months .... but, over the years, hmmmm - it's cumulative and on top of other exposures for health or natural reasons - them blue shirts will find out about the effects way, way down the road when it's too late.
Jan 7, 2012, 9:04 am
#10
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I should go to our own dental dept and "borrow" one so that I can use it the next time we fly - nice "talking point" with the blue shirts.
Give them a few in-service tips on "how to's" (Nah) haven't look at or check out those OPM or SES notices or postings in a while. 
Jan 7, 2012, 9:25 am
#11
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It's not going to harm or kill anyone in a matter of days or even weeks or months .... but, over the years, hmmmm - it's cumulative and on top of other exposures for health or natural reasons - them blue shirts will find out about the effects way, way down the road when it's too late.
Jan 7, 2012, 9:51 am
#12
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Would be interesting if (when) an employee runs his dosimeter through the luggage x-ray belt. Instant workers' comp and monthlong vacation!!!
Jan 7, 2012, 12:48 pm
#13
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LOL, I know ... dosimeter aren't cheap and then there's the record-keeping requirements under OHSA rules.
I should go to our own dental dept and "borrow" one so that I can use it the next time we fly - nice "talking point" with the blue shirts. Give them a few in-service tips on "how to's" (Nah)
Common, at some time! Some members of Congress, in their sub-committee hearing, is gonna want to hear the truth, the whole truth and not just some - unless HS declare it classified info ... Ah, yes - that's the term " premium pay" - haven't look at or check out those OPM or SES notices or postings in a while.
I should go to our own dental dept and "borrow" one so that I can use it the next time we fly - nice "talking point" with the blue shirts.
Give them a few in-service tips on "how to's" (Nah)Common, at some time! Some members of Congress, in their sub-committee hearing, is gonna want to hear the truth, the whole truth and not just some - unless HS declare it classified info ... Ah, yes - that's the term " premium pay" -
haven't look at or check out those OPM or SES notices or postings in a while.
Jan 8, 2012, 8:01 am
#14
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No, they're not - they're gathering excuses why they can't measure radiation!
Gonna make it a bit harder to convince people how safe the machines are if the workers are wearing radiation monitors.
The Request for Information (RFI) is posted here:
FedBizOps:
Sources Sought Notice - RADIATION DOSIMETRY SERVICES
Solicitation Number: HSTS01-12-SSN-OSH999
Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Office: Transportation Security Administration
Location: Headquarters TSA
The third page of the synopsis is this paragraph:
The phrase "for market research purposes only" is an euphemism; it really means "to gather excuses to justify why we are not going to do it".
The 2-year purchase agreement would be for $75,000 (or less) per year. The agency has 58,000 employees. There is not enough money allocated to this RFI to do actually do anything but gather excuses.
The Request for Information (RFI) is posted here:
FedBizOps:
Sources Sought Notice - RADIATION DOSIMETRY SERVICES
Solicitation Number: HSTS01-12-SSN-OSH999
Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Office: Transportation Security Administration
Location: Headquarters TSA
The third page of the synopsis is this paragraph:
TSA anticipates that the resultant solicitation will be in support of a two (2) year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) not to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) of $150,000. This RFI is being conducted for market research purposes only.[emphasis added] Responding to this RFI does not guarantee an award of a contract nor does the Government guarantee that a solicitation will be issued as a result of this RFI.
The phrase "for market research purposes only" is an euphemism; it really means "to gather excuses to justify why we are not going to do it".
The 2-year purchase agreement would be for $75,000 (or less) per year. The agency has 58,000 employees. There is not enough money allocated to this RFI to do actually do anything but gather excuses.
Last edited by RatherBeOnATrain; Jan 8, 2012 at 8:07 am Reason: clicked submit too soon
Jan 8, 2012, 9:05 pm
#15
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The phrase "for market research purposes only" is an euphemism; it really means "to gather excuses to justify why we are not going to do it".
The 2-year purchase agreement would be for $75,000 (or less) per year. The agency has 58,000 employees. There is not enough money allocated to this RFI to do actually do anything but gather excuses.
The 2-year purchase agreement would be for $75,000 (or less) per year. The agency has 58,000 employees. There is not enough money allocated to this RFI to do actually do anything but gather excuses.
Now, the numbers on the proposed purchase agreement do give you pause, though.