Emergency Response

Tritium Primer

DOE-HDBK-1079-94

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

It is important to examine the history of accidents that have occurred in tritium facilities and to

consider foreseeable unplanned events in order to minimize or mitigate their effects or to prevent

their taking place at all. When an accident does occur, requirements for reporting accidents must

be followed.

Facilities that handle significant quantities of radioactive material must have a site-specific

emergency plan. All radiological workers at the site must be familiar with certain aspects of this

plan. In addition, job assignments involving radiological hazards are typically covered by

procedures and work permits that include steps for emergency situations that may arise during the

course of the work. Radiological workers must be familiar with these procedures or be

accompanied by a radiological control technician (RCT) to provide guidance in case of an

emergency.

Emergency Steps to Take

The initial steps to be undertaken following a serious accident must always include the following:

Warning others in the vicinity

Evacuating the laboratory if an airborne release has occurred

Requesting any necessary assistance

Giving urgent first aid in the event of serious injuries (This should take priority over

problems that arise from contamination)

Starting personnel decontamination procedures

Submitting urine samples following the schedule outlined for nonroutine samples.

Decontamination of Personnel

Personnel should be decontaminated by the following procedure:

Remove clothing thought to be contaminated

Wash hands with soap and cool water

Wash other parts of the body (such as face, hair, and arms) that may have been exposed to

tritium, or immediately shower with cool water and soap

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Tritium