Radiological Surveys and Data Trending cont'd

DOE-STD-1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Uranium Facilities

Routine radiological surveys should be regularly conducted, recorded, and reviewed for all areas

where personnel could be exposed to radiation or radioactive material throughout the site. Surveys should

be performed at frequencies adequate to ensure protection of personnel. The following surveys should be

considered the minimum. Additional surveys should be conducted, recorded, and reviewed as necessary to

ensure personnel exposures are maintained ALARA. General radiation surveys should be performed to:

identify and verify the boundaries of areas which must be radiologically controlled,

verify that radiation levels in uncontrolled areas remain less than specified limits,

determine the appropriate posting of localized higher radia tion levels, beams, or hot

spots,

ensure radiological conditions are acceptable and documented prior to, during, and at the

completion of work that may cause changes in radiation levels to occur, and

satisfy required predetermined procedure hold- points in work areas and adjacent areas,

whenever operations are performed that may cause significant increases in radiation

levels.

The survey may be required as part of a radiological inspection step required by the work procedure.

This includes areas above and below the work area as appropriate during special processing operations or

cell decontamination, movement of permanent or temporary shielding, radioactive waste processing, and

relocation of highly radioactive materials.

Routine external radiation level surveys should be performed in the workplace at a frequency

commensurate with the radiation hazard, to detect trends related to equipment, systems, environment, and

work habits. Non-routine surveys of external radiation levels in the workplace should be performed:

before initial use of a new installation, system, or equipment, or as soon as possible after a

radiation source is brought into the area,

whenever changes in procedures, equipment, or sources have occurred that may cause

changes in the external radiation levels,

after modification to a shield or changes in shield materials,

as the basis for trend evaluation of external radiation level conditions,

when a radiological accident has occurred or is suspected, or

when requested by the personnel performing the activity.

A sufficient number of points should be surveyed to adequately assess the radiological status of

the area. Regular predetermined points may be used, but additional spot monitoring should be done to

ensure all changes in dose rates are identified, recorded, and reviewed. All records of surveys should

clearly identify, as a minimum:

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