Criticality controls - DOE-HDBK-1145-2001

Radiological Safety Training for Plutonium Facilities

DOEHDBK11452001

Student's Guide

The best way to maintain contamination

control after a loss of containment is to

decontaminate to low or non-detectable

levels. However, in some instances,

contamination must be fixed in place. This

is usually done by painting the surfaces of

gloveboxes, walls, floors, etc. Because

there is a potential for contamination control

problems if these surfaces are disturbed,

individuals should not scrape surfaces or

remove tape unless precautions are taken.

D. Criticality controls

Many facility-specific engineered and

administrative controls have been put in place

in an effort to prevent an uncontrolled criticality.

This course does not provide adequate training

in the handling of fissile material. Examples of

engineered controls are specific piping,

container shape, and poisons (neutron-

absorbing material). Examples of

administrative controls are procedures on

container spacing and the amount of material in

the container.

Only workers who are properly trained

should handle fissile material. If you are not

trained as a fissile material handler, do not,

under any circumstances, handle fissile

material.

Because liquid containing plutonium is a

special criticality concern, care must be taken

when handling plutonium-bearing liquids.

Containers that could hold liquid must not be

placed in or under gloveboxes or hoods unless

they are criticality safety approved.