Part 3. Sealed Radioactive Source Controls

DOE-STD-1098-99

Radiological Control

Radioactive Materials

June 2004

PART 3 Sealed Radioactive Source Controls

431 Sealed Radioactive Source Controls

Sealed radioactive sources having activities equal to or exceeding the values specified in Appendix 4A [see 835.2(a)] are

considered accountable sealed radioactive sources.

Written procedures should be established and implemented to control accountable sealed radioactive sources.

These procedures should establish requirements for source acquisition, receipt, storage, transfer, inventory, leak

testing, and usage.

Accountable sealed sources and all other sealed radioactive sources having activities exceeding one tenth of the

Appendix 4A values, or their storage containers, shall be labeled with the radiation symbol and "CAUTION" or

"DANGER" and "RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" [see 835.605]. The label shall also provide sufficient information to

control exposures [see 835.605]. Because of the wide variety of labels that are affixed to sealed radioactive sources

by their manufacturers, t hese labels are excepted from the normal color scheme of magenta or black on yellow [see

835.606(b)]. If the size or configuration of the source precludes application of a suitable label, the label should be

attached to the source container or mechanism.

Each accountable sealed radioactive source shall be inventoried at intervals not to exceed six months [see

835.1202(a)]. This inventory shall [see 835.1202(a)]:

Establish the physical location of each accountable sealed radioactive source.

Verify that the associated posting and labeling are adequate

Establish that storage locations, containers, and devices are adequate

Each accountable sealed radioactive source shall be subject to a source leak test upon receipt, when damage is

suspected and at intervals not to exceed six months [see 835.1202(b)]. Source leak tests shall be capable of

detecting radioactive material leakage equal to or exceeding 0.005 Ci (as indicated by the presence of 0.005 Ci or

more activity on the leak test sample) [see 835.1202(b)].

Periodic leak tests need not be performed if the source has been documented to have been removed from service.

Such sources shall be stored in a controlled location and subject to periodic inventory in accordance with Article

431.3 and subject to leak testing prior to being returned to service [see 835.1202(c)].

If a source is located in an area that is unsafe for human entry or otherwise inaccessible, (such as due to operational

or environmental constraints), then periodic in ventories and leak tests need not be performed [see 835.1202(d)].

When the conditions that restrict access to the area have been terminated, the inventory and integrity test should

be performed before allowing uncontrolled access to the area.

If an accountable sealed radioactive source is found to be leaking radioactive material, then controls shall be

established to prevent the escape of radioactive material to the workplace [see 835.1202(e)]. These controls should

include wrapping or containing the source, applying appropriate labels, and removing the source from service.

Both accountable and non-accountable sealed radioactive sources shall be used, handled, and stored in a manner

commensurate with the hazards associated with the operations involving the sources [see 835.1201].

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