[en] The air kerma-area product and scattered radiation dose in the vicinity of the patient couch, for both overcouch and undercouch X-ray tube geometries, were simultaneously monitored, with particular regard for risks to staff. The scattered radiation distribution at the couchside was deduced at a range of tube potentials for both overcouch and undercouch X-ray tube geometries. The variation of scattered radiation with field size on both geometries was investigated, as well as the variation with focus-table distance on an overcouch tube geometry. It was discovered that the scattered radiation dose at a point correlated with the air kerma-area product and the result may be used for radiation protection purposes. A method of predicting the scattered radiation dose at a given position is described. (author)