Level of Protection Monitoring

DOE-EM-STD-5503-94

appropriate if the operation or tasks change or if exposures potentially increase. Changes to the

sampling strategy should also be documented. Monitoring/sampling of employees in all work

zones (Exclusion Zone, Contamination Reduction Zone, and Support Zone) should be included.

All employees working within a radiologically controlled area should receive appropriate

dosimetry monitoring for radiation exposure according to the requirements of DOE's

Radiological Control Manual or 10 CFR 20, Subpart F, Surveys and Monitoring. The

monitoring program should include information on the record keeping of employee's exposure to

external radiation according to the requirements of DOE's Radiological Control Manual,

Determination of Prior Occupational Dose. Each employee's radiation exposure history should

be reviewed, according to the requirements of DOE's Radiological Control Manual, for

compliance with exposure standards prior to allowing the employee access to a radiologically

controlled area. The employee's exposure history should be continuously documented and

available for the employee's review.

8.6. LEVEL OF PROTECTION MONITORING

When and how often monitoring/sampling should be performed to assess the level of protection

should be specified. Frequencies and durations should be specified for all of the following:

Upon initial entry,

When new operations begin,

When work begins on a different portion of the site,

When different contaminants are being handled,

When working in areas with obvious liquid contamination, and

When entering or working in confined spaces.

The use of direct-reading and time-integrated monitoring should be considered to assure that

airborne concentrations of contaminants do not exceed the protection factors of the PPE in use.

Standard industrial hygiene practice dictates that the background levels be taken to accurately

determine the levels of exposure resulting from site activities. The following monitoring should

be conducted during:

Initial site entry when the site evaluation shows the potential for ionizing radiation;

IDLH conditions; or

When the site is not adequately characterized to eliminate these possible conditions:

- Monitoring with direct-reading instruments for ionizing radiation;

- Monitoring with direct-reading instruments for IDLH and other conditions (e.g.,

combustible, explosive, oxygen deficient, toxic substances) that may cause death or

serious injury; and/or

- Visual observations for signs of actual or potential IDLH or other dangerous

conditions.

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