Housekeeping - doe-std-1128-98

DOE-STD-1128-98

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 boxes should be minimized. When explosive, flammable, or volatile

liquids are allowed, they should be rigidly controlled and used only in inert

gas atmospheres unless a safety analysis review shows it is safe to do

otherwise. All residues should be removed immediately at the conclusion of

each job or cleaning operation.

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