Housekeeping - STD-1128-98master0104

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

The characteristics of the cover can be adjusted to vary water transmission and the color can

be changed to inhibit growth under the covering. The major problem for outside use of all

of these fixatives is the invasion and actions of biota. Mice, rabbits, other wildlife as well as

plant growth tend to burrow under any covering and spread the contamination. While these

measures do not permanently solve the problem, they may provide a method of preventing

the spread of contamination until a permanent, acceptable solution is determined.

4.2.1.1 Housekeeping

The three housekeeping practices listed below should be followed in a plutonium

facility as part of the Conduct of Operations [see DOE Order 5480.19, Ch. 2 (DOE,

2001c)]:

-- The inventory of contaminated and potentially contaminated scrap and

equipment should be kept to a minimum because all such materials are subject

to special monitoring and accountability.

-- Radioactive contamination should be controlled and the spread of contaminants

and the potential for accidents involving contaminants shall be minimized. (In

at least one instance, poor housekeeping contributed to a serious criticality

accident.) Management at all levels should continuously emphasize the

importance of good housekeeping, and operating procedures should be written

to ensure good housekeeping practices.

-- Measures shall be taken to maintain radiation exposure in controlled areas as

low as is reasonably achievable through facility design features and

administrative control (10 CFR 835.1001).

Where possible, materials that are not absolutely necessary to an operation should

be kept out of the contaminated or potentially contaminated area. It is very

important to minimize the creation of TRU waste. All packaging and unnecessary

protective coverings should be removed before materials are introduced into the

process area. Likewise, items that are not necessary to the process should be

promptly removed, particularly from glove boxes, and not left to accumulate and

become safety hazards, potential fire hazards, sources of radioactive (dust)

accumulation, or sources of exposure.

Good housekeeping practices inside glove boxes should emphasize fire and

explosion control. Only metal or nonflammable plastic containers should be used

for the accumulation of scrap and wastes of any kind in the glove boxes and

throughout plutonium facilities. Accumulation of combustible materials in glove

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