Monitoring - STD-1128-98master0108

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

4.2.4 Monitoring

Radiation workers are often assigned tasks that conceivably could expose them to

radioactive material. It is not sufficient to rely exclusively on equipment design to minimize

contamination and exposure in the workplace. A radiation protection program shall include

both monitoring of the workers (discussed in Section 4.3) and monitoring of the conditions

in the workplace (10 CFR 835 Subpart E). Both functions are essential to a good radiation

monitoring program.

Continuous radiation monitoring should be provided during the periods of high or unusual

risk associated with the work in the area. Periods of high or unusual risk include the

potential or actual breaching of the integrity of the glove-box or associated systems,

including such maintenance as replacement of panels, glove changes, bag-out operations,

replacement of filters, or repair of vacuum systems. Work that involves the use of

temporary enclosures (greenhouses or glovebags) may also be provided with continuous

coverage by an RCT, if the hazard is sufficient to warrant such measures. For

decommissioning, most activities will be new, unique, and have no historical precedent.

Consequently, high and unusual risks may become the norm and the use of temporary

controls and continuous coverage the routine.

Monitoring of the workplace is an essential element of every routine surveillance program.

It can be effectively accomplished using any or all of the techniques that are discussed in

this section. The rigor with which all of the various elements of a radiation monitoring

program are applied should be tailored to meet the needs of the individual work areas and

should depend on the kind and quantity of radioactive material present and its potential for

dispersion. Each program should be designed to meet existing needs, but also should be

flexible to allow for incorporation of the possible advantages to be provided by the various

available monitoring practices. Monitoring practices include, but are not limited, to the

following:

-- Contamination surveys of the workplace

-- Release surveys

-- External exposure surveys

-- Airborne contamination surveys

-- Routine surveillance by an RCT.

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