Description of occurrence (edited from investigation report) cont'd

Radiological Assessor Training

DOE-HDBK-1141-2001

Student's Guide

At approximately 0600 on August 23, 1991, both

operators left C-337-A bound for the C-337 change

houses and the C-337 Area Control Room for shift

turnover. Both operators stated they used Bicron

friskers to check for contamination prior to entering

the nonradiological (green) pathway in C-337.

Training previously received by each operator for

each type of frisking equipment was documented.

Employee No. 1 noted that the Berthold hand-and-

foot monitor previously used was "not operating

properly," so the employee used the Bicron frisker.

Neither operator noted any contamination.

Employee No. 2 monitored hands and feet only,

based on subsequent interviews, which indicated

that the employee did not know that a whole-body

frisk was required when exiting a radiological area.

Based on statements from both employees, they

showered, changed into personal clothing,

completed the shift turnover activities, and exited the

building after monitoring hands and feet at the

building exit, as required.

Since some personnel exit monitoring data is

regularly recorded, this data was reviewed. The

operators passed between the C-337-A Operation's

Monitoring Room and the C-337 Area Control Room

several times during the shift and should have

performed a whole-body frisk for contamination each

time. Data for Employee No. 2 was not available, as

the employee used a Bicron frisker. (These

instruments do not have the added feature of storing

monitoring data for later review.) Data for employee

No. 1 shows 0414 hours on August 23, 1991, as the

first time a monitor station evaluated this operator as

contaminated. This station would normally be used

when passing from C-337-A to the C-337

nonradiological walkway when going to the

maintenance shops and change houses (restrooms,

lockers, and showers).

Module 16 - 7