If a fixed area gamma monitor (FAGM) or area monitor alarms, what should you do?

When a fixed area gamma monitor (FAGM) or area monitor alarms, the correct response is to stop and exit the area. This action prioritizes safety by ensuring that individuals remove themselves from a potentially hazardous situation immediately. The alarm indicates a possible increase in radiation levels, which could pose health risks.

Leaving the area promptly allows for a safer assessment of the situation from a distance and helps prevent exposure to radiation. This is a crucial response in emergency protocols to mitigate risk effectively.

While calling for assistance, investigating the cause of the alarm, or continuing work might seem like plausible actions, they could lead to unnecessary risk and exposure to danger. Leaving the area first helps to ensure personal safety and allows trained professionals to assess and address the alarm without putting others in harm's way.