Source Reduction.

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

improving lighting may facilitate the completion and accuracy of work performed in

radiological areas and, thus, reduce exposure. Such opportunities for exposure reduction

should be carefully evaluated and appropriate ALARA goals established to make the

most of these opportunities.

-- Source Reduction. Source reduction should concentration on minimizing or

eliminating the sources of radiation exposure. Reducing the number of areas with

radiological contamination and reducing dose rate are examples of source-reduction

goals. Where the presence of nonradiological hazardous materials results in mixed

waste, the removal of the hazardous material may have ALARA benefits by reducing the

waste classification. Such changes may also reduce exposure at a later time by

eliminating the need to store or further treat the waste. In these cases, eliminating the

hazardous material may be an appropriate source-reduction ALARA goal.

-- Administrative. Administrative goals typically encompass training, program

improvements, procedure revision, or other administrative-type activities.

Administrative goals are generally qualitative, so it is difficult to develop endpoints for

them. Specific efforts must be made to ensure that adequate closure mechanisms exist

for administrative goals.

During all phases of ALARA goal-setting, the facility health physics personnel should be

intimately involved in providing advice and expertise on ALARA actions.

When addressing exposure reduction, a cost/benefit analysis should be made to determine

the real cost of implementing a dose reduction plan. The Health Physics Manual of Good

Practices for Reducing Exposures to Levels that are as Low as Reasonably Achievable

(Munson et al., 1988), provides an excellent methodology for conducting a cost/benefit

analysis by health physics personnel.

The application of ALARA principles to the performance of work in the field is the main

objective of any ALARA program. ALARA design, engineering, planning, and

administration come to fruition in maintaining exposures ALARA to workers and the public.

The operational application of ALARA requires cooperation and coordination of many

functional groups, including radiation protection, operations, maintenance, planning and

scheduling, training, engineering, and administration.

The primary responsibility for controlling radiation exposure during operations rests with

the individual and his/her immediate supervisor. The support functions provide the training,

resources, guidance, and measurements, but it is in the application that the effectiveness of

an ALARA program is realized. Operational measures for controlling exposure must be

applied to assure that any work with radioactive materials is carried out in the safest manner

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