Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Control Manual

Chapter 3 - Conduct of Radiological Work

Appendix A - Checklist for Reducing Occupational Radiation Exposure

Preliminary Planning and Scheduling

• Plan in advance
• Delete unnecessary work
• Determine expected radiation levels
• Estimate collective dose
• Sequence jobs
• Schedule work
• Select a trained and experienced work force
• Identify and coordinate resource requirements

Preparation of Technical Work Documents

• Include special radiological control requirements in technical work documents
• Perform ALARA pre-job review
• Plan access to and exit from the work area
• Provide for service lines (air, welding, ventilation)
• Provide communication (sometimes includes closed-circuit television)
• Remove or shield sources of radiation
• Plan for installation of temporary shielding
• Decontaminate
• Work in lowest radiation levels
• Perform as much work as practicable outside radiation areas
• State requirements for standard tools
• Consider special tools, including robots
• State staging requirements for materials, parts and tools
• Incorporate Radiological Control Hold Points
• Minimize discomfort of workers
• Revise estimates of person-rem
• Prepare Radiological Work Permits (RWPs)

Temporary Shielding

• Design shielding to include stress considerations
• Control installation and removal by written procedure
• Inspect after installation
• Conduct periodic radiation surveys
• Prevent damage caused by heavy lead temporary shielding
• Balance radiation exposure received in installation against exposure saved by installation
• Shield travel routes
• Shield components with abnormally high radiation levels early in the maintenance period
• Shield position occupied by worker
• Perform directional surveys to improve design of shielding by locating source of radiation
• Use mock-ups to plan temporary shielding design and installation
• Consider use of water-filled shielding

Rehearsing and Briefing

• Rehearse
• Use mock-ups duplicating working conditions
• Use photographs and videotapes
• Supervisors conduct briefings of workers

Performing Work

• Comply with technical work documents and RWPs
• Post radiation levels
• Keep excess personnel out of radiation areas
• Minimize radiation exposure
• Supervisors and workers keep track of radiation exposure
• Workers assist in radiation and radioactivity measurements
• Delegate radiological control monitoring responsibilities
• Evaluate use of fewer workers
• Reevaluate reducing radiation exposures
• Compare actual collective dose against pre-job estimate
• Review work practices to see if changes will reduce dose
• Coordinate personnel at the job site to reduce nonproductive time