Radiological Work Permits - doe-hdbk-1184-2004

DOE-HDBK-1184-2004

TWDs should be developed and implemented for any task that requires more

detailed written guidance than that provided in the generally applicable procedures.

Chapter 3 of the Radiological Control Standard (RCS) provides guidance for

implementing a system of TWDs.

Radiological Work Permits

Radiological Work Permits (RWPs) are used to establish specific radiological

control requirements for work in areas that exceed, or have the potential to exceed

specified radiological hazard levels. This would usually include tasks that require

specific worker actions due to the likelihood of severe radiological consequences,

such as surface contamination levels or airborne radioactivity levels exceeding 100

times the applicable Appendix A or Appendix D levels, respectively. The RWP

should address those issues discussed in the RCS, with emphasis on conditions

and controls that are related to the presence of STCs. Chapter 3 of the RCS

provides guidance for developing and implementing RWPs.

Administrative System Integration

The components of the administrative system are usually linked. For example, the

administrative system may address the requirements for repairing a component

located in a contamination area as follows:

A written procedure establishes standard requirements for entering a

contamination area;

Another written procedure establishes criteria (radiological conditions, work

activities, etc.) that require specific tasks to be performed in accordance with an

RWP/TWD;

The TWD establishes specific requirements (e.g., valve operation sequences,

torque settings, sequence of operations, etc.) for performing the task; and

The RWP provides more detailed radiological control requirements for repairing

the component within the specified contamination area.

Pre- and Post-Job Briefings

For higher hazard work, many facilities include requirements for pre- and post-job

briefings in the RWP. The pre-job briefing provides an opportunity to discuss the

details of the job, its hazards, and required controls with affected workers. The

post-job briefing provides an opportunity to review the completed work, identify both

strengths and weaknesses associated with its planning and performance, and

institutionalize these lessons for future reference. Briefings may also be conducted

during job performance to analyze the current status and address emergent issues.

The thresholds and processes associated with briefings for STC work need not

differ from those for other jobs. However, special attention should be paid to STC

identification and control issues. Mechanisms should be in place to capture any

lessons learned, not only for similar work, but for both similar and dissimilar work

involving STC hazards. Specific guidance is provided in Chapter 3 of the RCS.