Personnel monitoring - DOE-HDBK-1145-2001

Radiological Safety Training for Plutonium Facilities

DOEHDBK11452001

Student's Guide

B. Personnel monitoring

1. External dosimetry

The most common device used to monitor

worker dose is the thermoluninescent dosimeter

(TLD). Dosimeters can be configured to

monitor beta, gamma, x-ray, and neutron

Supplemental dosimeters (TLDs in finger rings

or wrist bands) may also be worn for monitoring

extremity dose.

There are dosimeters and gamma pencils

equipped with alarms that can be used, but they

must be specially made for low-energy gamma

rays. Nuclear accident dosimeters (NADs) are

required for facilities with sufficient quantities of

plutonium to form a critical mass. They are

issued to personnel and are also stationed

throughout the facility. They contain different

types of materials that become radioactive

through neutron activation. The neutron dose is

determined by evaluating the amount of

activation of the NAD material.