ALARA Program

DOE-STD-1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Uranium Facilities

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 of protective clothing, shift turnover procedures, and other similar considerations. The dose

rate and individual dose limits in the facility may also lead to the need for additional personnel.

Consideration should be given to having sufficient numbers of personnel to respond to off-normal

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

decommissioning activities may require additional personnel.

3.2.2 ALARA Program

The policy for maintaining radiation exposures ALARA has existed in principle since the early

1940s. The evolution of ALARA into a formal program began in the early 1960s.

Although there is, and has been since the 1940s, a series of official established dose limits, they do

not represent ALARA. ALARA is a continuous process of controlling and managing radiation exposure to

workers, the general public, and the environment. Although ALARA is based upon protection of people and

the environment, the philosophy is also grounded on sound economic and operating principles. The

responsibility for maintaining radiation exposures ALARA is not a unique responsibility of management or

radiological control personnel. It is a responsibility of everyone involved in managing, supervising, or

performing radiation work. It is imperative to teach administrative personnel to support the principles and

practice of ALARA, and to train all workers to consider ALARA as they prepare for and perform their

work.

3.2.2.1 Assignment of ALARA Responsibility and Authority

Limiting radiation exposures to the lowest levels commensurate with economics and the work to

be accomplished has long been a part of radiological control and radiological protection programs of DOE

and its contractors. 10 CFR 835 establishes the policy of maintaining ALARA doses for workers and the

public resulting from radiation from DOE operations. Plans and programs are required to be prepared and

implemented, and records must be maintained to demonstrate the implementation of ALARA. DOE G

441.1-2, Occupational ALARA Program Guide (DOE 1999e), the RCS, and PNL-6577, Health Physics

Manual of Good Practices for Reducing Radiation Exposure to Levels That are as Low as Reasonably

Achievable (PNL 1988a), provide additional guidance.

An ALARA committee should be established at the uranium facility. The membership should

include managers and workers from the line, the technical support organization, and the radiological

control organization. A line manager, such as a Director of Operations, Research, or Maintenance,

should serve as the committee chair. The ALARA committee should make recommendations to

management to improve progress toward minimizing radiation exposure and radiological releases.

3.2.2.2 Current Status of ALARA Programs

Currently, it is common practice in DOE facilities to have a well-structured ALARA plan for the

entire facility, with more detailed plans in the various buildings or functional subunits of the facility. There

is ordinarily a facility coordinator who administers the overall ALARA plan and reports to top-level

management of the facility. Coordinators for the various buildings or subunits of the facility receive

guidance from the overall facility coordinator and report the results of their ALARA programs to that

individual.

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