Considerations in Rescue and Recovery Operations

DOE-HDBK-1130-98

C. Considerations in Rescue and Recovery Operations

In extremely rare cases, emergency exposure to high levels of radiation may be

necessary. This is done to rescue personnel or protect major property.

Rescue and recovery operations that involve radiological hazards can be very complex.

The type of response to these operations is generally left up to the official in charge of

the emergency situation. The official's judgment is guided by many variables that include

determining the risk versus the benefit of an action and deciding how best to implement

the action.

No individual shall be required to perform a rescue action that might involve substantial

personal risk. All personnel selected to provide emergency response shall be trained

commensurate with the hazards in the area and required controls. They shall be briefed

beforehand on the known or anticipated hazards to which they shall be subjected.

The DOE guidelines for control of Emergency Exposure are as follows:

Table 7-1

Guidelines for Control of Emergency Exposures

Dose

limit1

Activity performed

Conditions

(whole

body)

5 rem

All activities

10 rem

Protecting major property.

Where lower dose

limit is not

25 rem

Lifesaving or protection of large

practicable.

populations.

>25 rem

Lifesaving or protection of large

Only on a voluntary

populations.

basis to personnel

fully aware of the

risks involved.

The lens of the eye dose guideline is three times the listed values. The shallow

dose guideline to the skin of the whole body and the extremities is 10 times the

listed values. These doses are in addition to and accounted for separately from the

doses received under the limits in 835.202 and 835.205.

Site administrative emergency dose guidelines for rescue and recovery operations.

(Insert facility-specific information.)

III.

SUMMARY

(Insert facility-specific information.)