If you are working with any equipment or project, where there is a chance of any kind of radiation, then you need to consider protecting people working in such an environment. Radiation exposure can be quite harmful to our health. 

Basically, time, distance, and proper shielding are the 3 concepts of protection from radiation that are true for all kinds of ionizing radiation. 

Shielding from radiation will simply mean, there must be something like lead drywall that will absorb radiation in between the source of radiation and the area where protection is needed. Radiation shielding will work based on the attenuation principle, which means there will be a gradual intensity loss of any radiation energy through a certain medium.

The lead sheetrock will act as a kind of barrier and reduce the effects of radiation.  Suppose X-ray photons start interacting with any matter, then quantity will be reduced from its original x-ray beam. 

Attenuation will happen if x-ray radiation interacts with x-ray room walls and greater the shielding placed around the source of radiation, the smaller will be the exposure.

You need to take following few steps for having proper shielding:

• Specifications

The specification of shielding will decide how much success you can achieve in attenuating the radiation. Before creating your room, you have to decide what radiation sources are used.

Based on that, you have to make the technical specification of the room where you plan to install your source of radiation equipment.

• Radiation calculations

By calculating the radiation protection, you can decide whether your project is feasible, and after that, you can decide the type and thickness of biological protection required.

By placing materials in between the radiation source and you will reduce the radiation amount that will reach you.

• Shielding

Once the calculation of radiation has been approved, then you must select the best resolution for your shielding project and find the cost and other technical requirements. 

Lead is most commonly used as shielding material against any ionizing radiation and it will be used as shielding.

• Certification

The last step will be certification. Your installation needs to be certified by a competent authority and that must strictly comply with the safety standards:

The employers will be responsible for the protection of their workers from any occupational hazards and must ensure that whatever protection has been provided will guaranty the safety of all their staff, and also their patients. 

State laws for lead shielding may vary

Each state has different laws about lead shielding. Few states do not need leaded windows whereas few others will need varying thickness depending upon the radiation system type in use

Not only laws are unique in each state, but also there is no uniformity in the nomenclature used by various agencies. Some states may locate their radiology health unit within their health department, while others may create separate radiology departments.

By making a quick search on the official website of your state, you can get more details or you may call the applicable official agency for getting help if needed.