Back-scattered x-rays incident on a person working with a patient on an operating table are reduced by upper and lower x-ray shield panels mounted so they can be turned relative to each other about a common vertical axis. The panels are thick enough and have proximate horizontal edges close enough to each other to substantially attenuate the back-scattered x-rays incident on front faces of the panels and a gap between the edges while the panels are aligned. The panels pivot about the vertical axis to form an opening enabling the person's hand(s) and forearm(s) to extend through. A hinge connects the upper and lower panels to a third panel. In a second embodiment, the upper and lower panels are moved up and down together, while the lower panel remains aligned with a fixed fourth panel for protecting the person's legs.