Radiation Protection - STD-1128-98master0061

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

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RADIATION PROTECTION

The radiation protection field is concerned with the protection of individuals, their progeny, and

humanity as a whole, while still allowing for necessary activities which might involve radiation

exposure. The aim of radiation protection is to prevent deterministic effects and to limit the

probability of deterministic effects. Most decisions about human activities are based on an implicit

form of balancing risks and benefits leading to the conclusion of whether or not the application of a

particular practice produces a positive net benefit. Because the probability of health effects is not

zero, the ICRP in Publication 26 (ICRP, 1977) recommended the following criteria for a system of

dose limitation:

-- No practice shall be adopted unless its introduction produces a positive net benefit.

-- All exposures shall be kept as low as reasonably achievable, with economic and social factors

being taken into account.

-- The dose equivalent to individuals shall not exceed the limits recommended for the appropriate

circumstances.

These criteria and related information have been incorporated into DOE regulations, instructions,

and manuals for radiation protection.

The successful operation of a plutonium facility requires scrupulous attention to providing adequate

radiation protection and maintaining contamination control through the implementation of a quality

health physics program. (In this section, "health physics" and "radiation protection" can be used

interchangeably when referring to programs or personnel.) Prompt dose assessment is important

for demonstrating compliance with standards, providing information to workers, establishing an

accurate historical record, and for responding to accident and incident situations. This section

defines the basis for the establishment of a sound health physics program at a plutonium facility.

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REGULATION AND STANDARDS

Regulations on radiation protection in DOE and DOE contractor facilities are found in 10 CFR 835,

Occupational Radiation Protection: Final Rule (DOE, 1998a). Guidance is found in the supporting

document Radiological Control (DOE, 1999a) and Implementation Guides.

Certain OSHA regulations, primarily those contained in 29 CFR 1910 (DOL, 1993), may also be

included in the radiation protection program for workers in DOE facilities. Other related source

documents include publications of the EPA, ANSI, ICRP, NCRP, and UNSCEAR.

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