Declared pregnant worker: Embryo/fetus

DOE-HDBK-1130-98

Module 3: Radiation Limits and Administrative Control Levels

Instructor's Notes

After a female worker voluntarily notifies her employer

in writing that she is pregnant, she is considered a

declared pregnant worker. For the purposes of

radiological protection of the fetus/embryo, DOE

requires a special limit for dose to the fetus/embryo. In

addition, the DOE RCS recommends that the employer

provide the option of a mutually agreeable assignment of

work tasks, with no loss of pay or promotional

opportunity, such that further occupational radiation

exposure is unlikely.

This declaration may be revoked, in writing, at anytime

by the declared pregnant worker.

DOE limit

For a declared pregnant worker who continues working

as a radiological worker, the following radiation dose

limit will apply.

The dose equivalent limit for the embryo/fetus (during

the entire gestation period) is 500 mrem.

Measures must be taken to avoid substantial variation

above the uniform exposure rate necessary to meet the

500 mrem limit for the gestation period.

b) The DOE RCS recommends that efforts be made to avoid

exceeding 50 mrem/month to the embryo/fetus of the

declared pregnant worker.

2) If the dose equivalent to the embryo/fetus is

determined to have already exceeded 500 mrem when a

worker notifies her employer of her pregnancy, the

worker shall not be assigned to tasks where additional

occupational radiation exposure is likely during the

remainder of the pregnancy.