Staffing Levels

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

The RCTs should be encouraged to pursue registration by the National Registry of Radiation

Protection Technologists.

3.4.3 Staffing Levels

At least one professional health physicist is recommended to be on the staff of each major

plutonium facility as a full-time employee.

There is no rule of thumb for determining the number of RCTs needed for a given plutonium

facility. The number of RCTs should be based on an analysis that provides for sufficient

coverage on each shift, given the number of samples, surveys, and other work to be

performed; the time of training, donning and doffing protective clothing; shift turnover

procedures; and other similar considerations. The site collective dose and individual dose

limits in the facility may also lead to the need for additional personnel. Consideration

should be given to having sufficient personnel to respond to off-normal conditions and

emergencies as well as routine work. Major maintenance, modifications, or

decommissioning activities may require additional personnel.

3.5

INSTRUMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS

The radiation from the radioactive decay of plutonium includes alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray

(photons), and neutron radiation. An effective monitoring program for plutonium requires radiation

detection instruments that are responsive to all of these forms of radiation. It is essential that

instruments meet the performance criteria outlined in the applicable U.S. and international

standards and be properly calibrated for their intended use.

3.5.1 Types of Instruments and Measurements

Alpha-sensitive instruments are necessary for most contamination control surveys.

Exposure rate surveys are normally conducted with photon-sensitive instruments with

known energy responses. Neutron surveys become important when processing tens of

grams of 238Pu or hundreds of grams of mixed isotopes of plutonium, particularly

compounds (i.e., PuO2, PuF4, etc.). The neutron survey is important in instances where

photon shields, such as leaded glass, are used; such shields normally stop all of the charged

particles, most of the low-energy photons, and essentially none of the neutrons. Under these

circumstances, neutron radiation is likely to be the major contributor to whole body dose.

Continuous air monitors (CAMs) are used extensively in plutonium facilities. Continuous

air monitors and sample extraction lines that go to CAMs and continuous radiation dose

monitors should be placed outside the glove boxes and hoods. In-line processing

instrumentation is critical to accurately monitor the work stations and a review should be

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