Radiological Work Procedures

DOE-STD-1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Uranium Facilities

3.3.2.1 Radiological Work Procedures

Radiological work procedures, including RWPs, survey procedures, ALARA reviews, sample

counting, and other task procedures, fall within the requirements for conduct of operations. All sections of

DOE Order 5480.19 apply. The guidance and requirements of Section XVI, "Operations Procedures," is

especially pertinent to radiological work procedures. Procedures are a key factor affecting radiation

protection performance. Appropriate attention should be given to writing, reviewing, approving, and

monitoring implementation of radiation protection procedures. There should be documented qualification

and training requirements for those who prepare and approve procedures. A formal approval process should

be established. Procedure changes and revisions should be subject to the same review and approval process

as the initial procedure.

Personnel should be trained in the use of the procedures they will be expected to perform. For

RWPs, workers are required to read the RWP and verify by signature they have read it, understand its

contents, and will comply with its requirements in the conduct of the work. Procedures should be available

for personnel use. The RWPs should be posted at the entrance to the work location. There should be a

system in place to assure posted copies of all work procedures, including RWPs, are current.

3.3.2.2 Posting and Labeling

The requirements for area posting and radioactive material labeling are established in 10 CFR 835,

Subpart G. Guidance on implementing the regulatory requirements can be found in DOE G 441.1-10 and

the RCS. Conformance to conduct of operations requirements should assure a reasonable degree of

uniformity in the posting and the signs used, as well as verifying that operator aids and other posted

information do not interfere with necessary radiological posting. Radiological postings should be reviewed

in the same manner as the posting of operating aids, in conformance with DOE Order 5480.19.

3.3.2.3 Instrument Calibration

The status of installed and portable radiological instruments should be well known and appropriate

to the use.

"Ownership" of installed monitoring instruments should be well known and the responsibility and

authority for calibration, repair, and notification clearly established. Because such information is often

used by more than one group, formal notification procedures should be established to cover those times

when the instrument is out of service or beyond the required calibration schedule. Configuration control

and quality assurance requirements for installed systems should be established commensurate with their

safety significance.

For portable instruments, conduct of operations requirements are normally built into the routine

calibration and survey program. Functional checks are routinely made to verify calibration, instruments are

checked to assure they are within the calibration period, and survey procedures require identification of the

instruments used so if a problem is later found, measurements can be repeated.

3.3.2.4 Audits

Conduct of operations does not, in itself, address requirements for auditing. The guidance does

state that inspections, audits, reviews, investigations, and self-assessments are part of the checks and

balances needed in an operating program. Auditing is one of the many tools line management has at its

3-24