Contamination Surveys of the Workplace - doe-std-1128-98

DOE-STD-1128-98

4.2.4.1 Contamination Surveys of the Workplace

The radiation monitoring program should include documented survey

procedures, a system for maintaining survey results, and contamination

control limits for "fixed" and "removable" contamination. The results of

contamination surveys should be reported in activity per area (e.g., dpm/100

cm2) except for large-area swipes and swipes of very small items. This

permits interpretation of the recorded data without requiring knowledge of

instrument efficiency or geometry.

All workplaces should be monitored for contamination levels on a regularly

scheduled basis. The frequency of such surveys will depend on the potential

for dispersion of the radioactive material. As a minimum, all gloves, work

surfaces, floors, equipment, etc., within the workplace should be surveyed

according to the frequencies listed in the DOE standard, Radiological

Control, Ch. 1. (2004).

The change room and other support facilities within the controlled area

should be surveyed for contamination daily. Continuous air monitors, survey

instruments at step-off pads, and hand and shoe counters should be

functionally tested daily or once per shift in support of the weekly and

monthly surveys. These frequent surveys are also part of the routine

surveillance program and permit immediate follow-up if low-level

contamination is detected to minimize the potential for major incidents.

Some fixtures and support areas outside the controlled area, such as door

knobs and telephones of adjacent offices and the lunchroom, should also be

surveyed daily. Other support areas should be surveyed monthly. If routine

survey results detect any contamination in a given area, more detailed

surveys must be performed to determine the extent of the contamination. An

investigation should be initiated to determine the source of the contamination

and the cause.

To preclude the possibility that contaminated waste would be disposed of as

ordinary waste, (1) all process and controlled area waste should be

considered contaminated, and (2) mechanisms should be established that

prevent the mixing of contaminated and noncontaminated waste.

4.2.4.2 Release Surveys

For transuranic radionuclides, the contamination level (fixed and removable)

at which surfaces are considered contaminated are listed in Appendix D of 10

CFR 835 (DOE 1993c). That document also specifies the criteria for the

release of materials and equipment to Controlled Areas.

4-13