So Now You Are The RSO Radiation Safety Programs. Norman W. Henry III, MS,CIH SHBP (Safety and Health By Protection) comcast.

Transcription

1 So Now You Are The RSO Radiation Safety Programs Norman W. Henry III, MS,CIH SHBP (Safety and Health By Protection) comcast. net

2 Radiation Safety Programs Two Key Elements of Program» Administrative - organization, management and NRC License agreement» Operational - daily functions, activities and responsibilities of RSO

3 Administrative Management line supervision CEO> Facility Manager>RSO>Users Manager and RSO accountable for compliance License Agreement with NRC specifying terms and conditions of use of radioactive materials

4 RESEARCH FACILITY

5 Research & Development Laboratory

6 Types of Radioactive Materials unsealed, sealed, by-product,special nuclear (enriched U and Pt), source U, nuclear reactor Types of Licenses specific (gauges), general (exit signs) limited scope (sealed sources), broad scope ( research and development) A,B,C (based on size of program) Agreement State License (state regulations + NRC) Non-Agreement (NRC exercises authority, states have NORM NARM, Rn and X-ray. (Changing based on Energy Policy Act of 2005) NRC assuming responsibility for NARM

7 Isotopes and Quantities (Possession Limits) elements with atomic number up to 83 (by-product or source) others? (uci, mci, Ci) Use of radioactive Materials» R&D metabolism and environmental fate» Synthesis radio labeled compounds» Power generation energy» Manufacturing sterilization, thickness or measurement gauges» Medical diagnosis and treatment (X-rays regulated by State) NARM soon to be regulated by NRC» Analytical - structural analyses

8 FIELD PLOT

9 Requirements 1.Radiation Safety Manual - SOP s written safety procedures 2. ALARA program - As Low As Reasonably Achievable a. Exposure control and monitoring (Dosimetry) b. Area classification- unrestricted, controlled and restricted access (Based on ALI or annual limit of intake) c. Training and Documentation Users and Non Users, Annual update, PI training as needed

10 Operational Daily Functions and Duties Responsibility - Facility Manager,RSO, Safety Committee, Users (PI s) Staff Support technicians, maintenance personnel, contractors, service personnel Involves people RSO named on license

11 Inventory of Sources Ordering within license conditions and RSO approval Delivery and Receipt inspection for leaks contamination, packaging, labeling, signage Use Areas unrestricted, controlled, restricted (based on quantities and type of isotope) ie. alpha, beta or gamma emitter

12 SHIPPING AND RECEIVING

13 Use continued Security 1. Secure at all times (daytime and off hours) 2. Secure from unauthorized removal 3. Under constant surveillance

14 SITE SECURITY AND ACCESS CONTROL

15 Use continued Accountability inventory Transfer tracking Storage locked, shielded, interim Shipping off-site, packaging, labeling requirements White I, Yellow II Yellow III* vehicle placard

16 Labeling, Storage and Transfer

17 Waste Labeling, DOT classification type A low level Containment (secondary containers) Secure Mixed waste (hazardous + radioactive) NO mixed isotopes (decay schemes) Interim storage and decay (license condition + facility) Disposal access to LLRW site (Barnwell, SC)

18 Control Measures Time, Distance and Shielding Commissioning and Decommissioning area classification based on use, quantity and type of isotope or source (MEQ s) Contamination and Decontamination 1. wipe tests (dpm) above background (floors and lab benches etc.) < 200 dpm 2. leak tests < microcuries sealed sources (ECD s)

19 WIPE TESTING

20 Control Measures continued Audits, inspections, surveys 1. annual, semi-annual, quarterly, monthly self audits, RSO, 3 rd party 2. NRC inspection unannounced ~ 3 yrs

21 AUDITS AND SURVEYS

22 Control Measures continued Monitoring» Dosimetry (quarterly,part of ALARA program)» Badges (TLD s) exchanged quarterly» Annual NRC Form 5 report required» Records life time dosage» < 5000 mrem/ year occupational or 500mrem» < 2 mrem/hr public» Declared pregnancy policy» Biological monitoring( bioassay) urine H-3 thyroid I-131» Iodinizations (charcoal tube)

23 Control Measures continued Accidents/incidents skin contact, ingestion, inhalation from spills etc. investigations and follow-up report to RSC or NRC Emergency Response uncontrolled release decontamination of areas and personnel medical response Emergency response team (ERT)

24 Monitoring continued Instrument Calibration survey instruments usually semi-annually G-M s and Ionization Chambers Liquid Scintillation counters (LSC s)

25 Personnel Protective Equipment Gloves Lab coats Plastic shields (beta emitters) Lead aprons (gamma emitters)

26 EXPOSURE CONTROL Protective Clothing and Containment

27 Documentation Record Keeping Software systems (ie HPAsst) Training (Knowledge of Radiation Safety)» NRC Form 3 NRC regional contact» PI s, users and non-users

28 Documentation Exposure Dosimetry Records NRC Form 5 (annual report to user) Lifetime requirement Transfers

29 Record Keeping Inventory license possession limits lab storage (refrigerators) interim storage (decay in storage) Dosimetry Training Waste Tracking site storage off site burial

30 Communication Regulatory updates (State and Federal) License renewals and amendments ~ 10 years (amendments as needed) Non-users Environmental Impact unanticipated releases new use,ie field plot Decommissioning Funding Plan to Chief Financial Officer Cost to Decommission facility and return to public domain Review cost estimates for services and liabilities

31 Conclusions Radiation program dynamic interaction between regulatory agency, RSO, management and users. Accountability and trust are key concepts for maintaining a compliant program