Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Control Manual

Chapter 3 - Conduct of Radiological Work

Part 2 - Work Preparation

Table of Contents (Articles 32x)

• 321 Radiological Work Permits
• 322 Use of Radiological Work Permits
• 323 Radiological Work Permit Preparation
• 324 Pre-Job Briefings
• 325 Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

Article 321 - Radiological Work Permits

The Radiological Work Permit (RWP) is an administrative mechanism used to establish radiological controls for intended work activities. The RWP informs workers of area radiological conditions and entry requirements and provides a mechanism to relate worker exposure to specific work activities. The RWP should include the following information:

1. Description of work

2. Work area radiological conditions

3. Dosimetry requirements

4. Pre-job briefing requirements, as applicable

5. Training requirements for entry

6. Protective clothing and respiratory protection requirements

7. Radiological Control coverage requirements and stay time controls, as applicable

8. Limiting radiological conditions that may void the RWP

9. Special dose or contamination reduction considerations

10. Special personnel frisking considerations

11. Technical work document number, as applicable

12. Unique identifying number

13. Date of issue and expiration

14. Authorizing signatures.

Article 322 - Use of Radiological Work Permits

1. RWPs shall be used to control the following activities:

2. Entry into High and Very High Radiation Areas
3. Entry into High Contamination Areas
4. Entry into Airborne Radioactivity Areas.

• RWPs should be used to control the following activities:

• Entry into Radiation Areas
• Entry into Contamination Areas
• Handling of materials with removable contamination that exceed the values of Table 2-2.

• Job-specific RWPs shall be used to control nonroutine operations or work in areas with changing radiological conditions. The job-specific RWP shall remain in effect only for the duration of the job.

• General RWPs may be used to control routine or repetitive activities, such as tours and inspections or minor work activities, in areas with well-characterized and stable radiological conditions. General RWPs should not be approved for periods longer than 1 year.

• Radiological surveys shall be routinely reviewed to evaluate adequacy of RWP requirements. RWPs shall be updated if radiological conditions change to the extent that protective requirements need modification.

• RWPs should be posted at the access point to the applicable radiological work area.

• Workers shall acknowledge by signature or through electronic means where automated access systems are in place that they have read, understand and will comply with the RWP prior to initial entry to the area and after any revisions to the RWP.

• Worker pocket or electronic dosimeter readings should be recorded in a format that identifies and provides linkage to the applicable RWP.

• An alternative formal mechanism, such as written procedures or experiment authorizations, may be used in lieu of an RWP as the administrative control over radiological work activities. If an alternative mechanism is used, it should meet the requirements of this Article and Articles 321 and 323. Return to Chapter 3, Part 2 Table of Contents

Article 323 - Radiological Work Permit Preparation

1. The responsibility for ensuring adequate planning and control of work activities resides with line management. The lead work group responsible for the planned activity or for the area should initiate the preparation of the RWP.

2. RWPs shall be reviewed and approved by the Radiological Control Organization.

3. The RWP shall be based on current radiological surveys and anticipated radiological conditions.

4. The RWP shall be approved by the supervisor responsible for the work or area and the appropriate Radiological Control supervisor. Revisions or extensions to RWPs shall be subject to the same approval process.

Article 324 - Pre-Job Briefings

1. At a minimum, pre-job briefings should be held prior to the conduct of work anticipated to exceed the trigger levels identified in Article 312.3.

2. At a minimum, the pre-job briefing should include:

3. Scope of work to be performed
4. Radiological conditions of the workplace
5. Procedural and RWP requirements
6. Special radiological control requirements
7. Radiologically limiting conditions, such as contamination or radiation levels that may void the RWP
8. Radiological Control Hold Points
9. Communications and coordination with other groups
10. Provisions for housekeeping and final cleanup
11. Emergency response provisions.

• Pre-job briefings should be conducted by the cognizant work supervisor.

• Workers and supervisors directly participating in the job, cognizant Radiological Control personnel, and representatives from involved support organizations should attend the briefing.

• A summary of topics discussed and attendance at the pre-job briefing should be documented. This documentation should be maintained with the technical work document. Return to Chapter 3, Part 2 Table of Contents

Article 325 - Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

1. Personnel shall wear protective clothing during the following activities:

2. Handling of contaminated materials with removable contamination in excess of Table 2-2 levels
3. Work in Contamination, High Contamination and Airborne Radioactivity Areas
4. As directed by the Radiological Control Organization or as required by the RWP.

• Protective clothing and shoes designated for radiological control shall be:

• Marked in accordance with Article 461
• Used only for radiological control purposes.

• Protective clothing dress-out areas should be established directly adjacent to the work area. Workers should proceed directly to the radiological work area after donning Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing.

• Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing shall be selected as prescribed by the controlling RWP. General guidelines for protective clothing selection and use are provided in Appendix 3C and in Table 3-1.

• The use of labcoats as radiological protective clothing is appropriate for limited applications such as those discussed in Appendix 3C where the potential for personal contamination is limited to the hands, arms, and upper front portion of the body. Labcoats should not be used as protective clothing for performing physical work activities in Contamination, High Contamination or Airborne Radioactivity Areas.

• Instructions for donning and removing protective clothing should be posted at the dress-out and step-off pad areas.

• The use of Personal Protective Equipment or Clothing (including respiratory protection) beyond that authorized by the Radiological Control Organization detracts from work performance and is contrary to ALARA principles and waste minimization practices. Such use should not be authorized.

• Company-issued clothing, such as work coveralls and shoes, should be considered the same as personal clothing. Company-issued clothing should not be used for radiological control purposes.
  
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