Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Control Manual

Chapter 1 - Excellence in Radiological Control

Part 4 - Contractor Radiological Control Organization

Table of Contents (Articles 14x)

• 141 Radiological Control Organization
• 142 Radiological Control Manager Qualifications
• 143 Radiological Control Organization Functions and Staffing
• 144 Relationship Between Radiological Control Technicians and Workers
• 145 Marginal Radiological Control Performance

Article 141 - Radiological Control Organization

1. A Radiological Control Organization should be established to provide relevant support to line managers and workers. To effectively function, the Radiological Control Organization should be independent of the line organizational element responsible for production, operation or research activities and should have an equivalent reporting level. A single, dedicated Radiological Control Organization for the site should be sufficient. At larger DOE sites where facilities, buildings or work areas are dispersed, an approach that provides site-wide consistency and individual facility radiological control support is recommended. The senior line manager responsible for operations at a facility should have assigned radiological control personnel dedicated to the facility. Consistency of radiological control is critical. It is not the intent of this Manual to duplicate organizations but to use personnel in a more effective manner in workplace situations.

2. Radiological control personnel shall monitor adherence to the Site-Specific Radiological Control Manual and be available to the facility line manager for radiological support to the work force. To effectively function in this capacity, they should receive their day-to-day priorities from facility managers. To ensure independence in making correct radiological decisions, the Radiological Control Organization should be accountable to the Radiological Control Manager.

3. The Radiological Control Manager heads the Radiological Control Organization and is responsible for and should establish a high quality Radiological Control Program.

4. The Radiological Control Manager shall have access to the senior site executive for radiological control matters.

Article 142 - Radiological Control Manager Qualifications

1. The Radiological Control Manager should be an experienced professional in radiological control and be familiar with the design features and operations of the facility that affect the potential for exposures of persons to radiation.

2. The Radiological Control Manager should have the technical competence and experience to establish radiological control programs and the supervisory capability to direct the implementation and maintenance of radiological control programs.

3. The Radiological Control Manager should have a minimum of a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in science or engineering, including some formal training in radiological control. Advanced academic degrees can count as experience where course work related to radiological control is involved. At least three years of professional experience should be in applied radiological control work. Certification by the American Board of Health Physics provides equivalency to the above.

4. In situations where the most effective manager for this position does not satisfy the above qualifications, special arrangements should be made. In these situations, the assignment of a deputy with the requisite expertise and qualifications can satisfy the requirement.

5. Management should provide persons assigned to or being considered for the Radiological Control Manager a structured program leading to certification by the American Board of Health Physics.

Article 143 - Radiological Control Organization Functions and Staffing

1. The senior staff of the Radiological Control Organization should include health physicists and other professionals with four-year degrees in science or engineering. A continuing training program shall be established. Pursuit of certification by the American Board of Health Physics for senior and professional staff members is encouraged.

2. Radiological support personnel provide health physics and radiological engineering, dosimetry, bioassay, independent oversight, instrumentation and calibration functions. These personnel should have technical qualifications pertinent to their assigned duties.

Article 144 - Relationship Between Radiological Control Technicians and Workers

Radiological Control Technicians and their supervisors perform the functions of assisting and guiding workers in the radiological aspects of the job.

1. Radiological workers should be sufficiently qualified to recognize questionable or deteriorating radiological conditions and seek advice from Radiological Control Technicians and their supervisors.

2. Radiological Control Technicians and their supervisors shall have the responsibility and authority to stop work or mitigate the effect of an activity if they suspect that the initiation or continued performance of a job, evolution or test will result in the violation of radiological control standards or result in imminent danger or unacceptable risk. Workers through their supervisor also have stop work authority in accordance with Article 345.

3. The actions or presence of radiological control personnel does not absolve the workers of their responsibility for properly conducting radiological aspects of the job. Radiological control personnel are not present to compensate for poor management of the work force and should not be required to do so. A poorly trained work force should participate in an accelerated training initiative.

Article 145 - Marginal Radiological Control Performance

1. When radiological control performance is less than adequate, performance must be improved. Consideration should be given to strengthening line management and the Radiological Control Organization to provide adequate radiological control.

2. In cases where the work force does not have the required level of sensitivity for radiological work practices, additional management attention is needed to assure the proper outcome. Line management should be held accountable for implementation of the Radiological Control Program. Initial actions should include:
   1. More direct line supervision in the work space
   2. Curtailment of work schedules
   3. Deferral of work
   4. Addition of extra radiological control personnel
   5. Conduct of additional training.

3. When the workers and supervisors achieve the proper level of radiological performance, the number of radiological control personnel should be reevaluated.