Neutron Exposures - doe-std-1098-99_reaffirmed_2004

DOE-STD-1098-99

Radiological Control

Excellence in Radiological Control

June 2004

137 Neutron Exposures

Neutron exposures have the following characteristics that require attention:

The specific biological effects of neutrons are not as well understood as the effects of gamma exposure.

Neutron dose equivalent is more difficult to assess than gamma dose equivalent.

Article 131 provides guidance for setting goals to focus attention on controlling neutron exposure.

138 ALARA Committee

The ALARA process of managing radiation exposures is a fundamental requirement of every radiological control

program. An ALARA Committee provides a useful forum for reviewing radiological control plans and performance and

focusing management resources on radiological control issues.

An ALARA Committee should be established. The membership should include managers and workers from the

line, the technical support organization, and the radiological control organization. It is more effective if a line

manager, such as Director of Operations, Research, or Maintenance serves as the Chair. This Committee may be

part of a general safety or radiation safety committee whose functions include ALARA activities and possibly be

combined with other committees for smaller facilities.

The ALARA Committee should make recommendations to management to improve progress toward controlling

radiation exposure and radioactive releases. The Committee should evaluate items such as construction and design

of facilities and systems, planned major modifications or work activities, and experimental test plans for exposure,

waste, and release controls. The Committee should also receive, as a minimum, the results of all radiological

control program assessments, both internal and external, and should review the overall conduct of the radiological

control program.

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