Radiological surveys and monitoring at plutonium facilities

Radiological Safety Training for Plutonium Facilities

DOEHDBK11452001

Student's Guide

VII. Radiological surveys and monitoring at

plutonium facilities

A. Surveys

1. Radiological control surveys

In order to maintain good radiological controls,

the radiological control organization establishes

a program to periodically survey most areas in

the buildings. Rooms are not the only things

surveyed. Equipment (such as gloveboxes and

gloves, hoods, and piping) is also included. A

good radiological control program aids in early

detection of contamination.

2. Radiological control practices

Personnel who work with or around plutonium

should perform periodic surveys. For instance,

when working in gloveboxes, personnel should

check periodically (every 15-30 minutes) to

ensure that there has been no compromise of

the port gloves by monitoring their hands and

arms on radiation detection instruments. If

contamination is found, they should survey any

area of the body that may have been

contaminated (such as the hands, arms, chest,

or face.