Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Control Manual

Chapter 3 - Conduct of Radiological Work

Appendix D - Guidelines for Personnel Contamination Monitoring with Hand-Held Survey Instruments

General Requirements

1. Verify that the instrument is in service, set to the proper scale and the audio output can be heard during frisking.

2. Hold probe less than 1/2 inch from surface being surveyed for beta and gamma contamination, approximately 1/4 inch for alpha contamination.

3. Move probe slowly over surface, approximately 2 inches per second.

4. If the count rate increases during frisking, pause for 5 to 10 seconds over the area to provide adequate time for instrument response.

5. If the count rate increases to a value greater than a preestablished contamination limit or the instrument alarms, remain in the area and notify Radiological Control personnel.

6. The whole body frisk should take at least two to three minutes.

Performance of Monitoring:

1. Frisk the hands before picking up the probe.

2. Perform the frisk in the following order:

3. Head (pause at mouth and nose for approximately 5 seconds)
4. Neck and shoulders
5. Arms (pause at each elbow)
6. Chest and abdomen
7. Back, hips and seat of pants
8. Legs (pause at each knee)
9. Shoe tops
10. Shoe bottoms (pause at sole and heel)
11. Personnel and supplemental dosimeters.

• Return the probe to its holder and leave the area. The probe should be placed on the side or face up to allow the next person to monitor their hands before handling the probe. *Comparable instructions to those presented here should be posted adjacent to monitoring instruments in accordance with Article 338.8.