General External Dose Control Practices - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Radiological Safety Training for Uranium Facilities

Module 103 External Dose Control

2. General External Dose Control Practices

These general principles should be applied to control external dose from

uranium:

minimizing time in the radiation field,

maximizing the distance from the radiation source,

using shielding to reduce the radiation field, and

reducing the amount of radioactive material being used.

Specific Beta Dose Control Principles

Surfaces emitting beta radiation are easily shielded with plastic or other light

element materials. Use of denser materials for shielding of high-energy beta

radiation may produce bremsstrahlung X-rays and should be avoided.

Beta dose to the lens of the eye can be reduced by using safety glasses. Safety

glasses are commonly worn for industrial safety concerns in areas where uranium is

handled. Heavy rubber or leather gloves are effective in reducing the skin dose to

the hand, but their use must be balanced against other safety concerns, such as

hazards from machinery or loss of manual dexterity.

Industrial safety concerns in a uranium facility may be more hazardous to personnel

than exposure to radiation. Professional radiological control personnel evaluate the

process in the workplace to ensure workers receive the maximum overall protection

from all hazards, not only radiological hazards. This is generally done in

cooperation with industrial safety and industrial hygiene personnel.