Decontamination and Decommissioning Experience

DOE-STD-1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiation Protection in Uranium Facilities

than disposing of it. Any waste package designs need to be reviewed to ensure compliance with all

applicable waste management requirements.

b. Temporary contamination enclosures are effective in controlling contamination during size

reduction of large equipment such as glove boxes. Any loose contamination on the equipment

should be fixed prior to placing it in the enclosure.

Criticality safety issues should be considered regarding the geometry of any waste

material containing fissile material.

D&D operations must be prepared for changes in regulatory criteria and implementation

of these new criteria.

During decommissioning operations, personnel need to recognize the possibility of

encountering elevated levels of contamination in unexpected locations such as the

excavations for concrete structures or under existing roofing or flooring (Bernhardt et al.,

1989).

Bernhardt et al. (1989) stressed the importance of establishing and documenting criteria

for implementing regulations. For example, in meeting surface contamination guidelines,

it is important to establish the acceptable detection efficiency of the detector and areas for

averaging measurements.

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