Respiratory Protection - hdbk1113cn10145

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Radiological Safety Traning for Uranium Facilities

Module 104 - Internal Dose Control

Contamination build-up inside work gloves has lead to unacceptable

hand doses in some facilities. Reuse of leather or cloth gloves should be

reviewed carefully because of such buildup. Workers should wear thin,

protective gloves inside the heavy gloves.

ii.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection equipment is used to provide protection from

airborne hazards that may be encountered in the work environment.

Respirator use is based on the level of airborne contamination known to

exist or expected to be produced from the work to be performed.

Respiratory protection may also be required for hazards present in an

area other than radioactive airborne contamination. Health and safety

groups should coordinate the use of respiratory protection requirements

based on all hazards present. If a worker finds a conflict in respiratory

protection requirements, he or she should not enter the work area until

the conflict is resolved and the appropriate respiratory protection

equipment is available.

Special Radiological Surveys and Techniques for Contamination Monitoring

Alpha Monitoring

As workers at a uranium facility, you will likely perform self-monitoring

for the presence of radioactive contamination.

If you recall from the general characteristics of uranium, it primarily

decays by emitting an alpha particle. Many uranium decay products also

decay by emitting alpha particles.