The dose rate on contact (assuming someone is handling it) or at the location in which that person would be working is easily measured. Radiation workers have a

The dose rate on contact (assuming someone is handling it) or at the location in which that person would be working is easily measured. Radiation workers have an annual dose limit, and it is trivial to determine how long they can work somewhere before exceeding that limit. Surface contamination is a separate concern, getting radioactive stuff on (or in) you is not my --or presumably anyone's-- idea of a good time.