Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Control Manual

Chapter 4 - Radioactive Materials

Part 2 - Release and Transportation of Radioactive Material

Table of Contents (Articles 42x)

• 421 Release to Controlled Areas
• 422 Release to Uncontrolled Areas
• 423 Transportation of Radioactive Material

Article 421 - Release to Controlled Areas

1. Radioactive material in Contamination, High Contamination or Airborne Radioactivity Areas shall be surveyed prior to release. Unpackaged radioactive material to be released to Controlled Areas shall be demonstrated to have contamination levels less than Table 2-2 values. Radioactive material to be released to uncontrolled areas shall be surveyed in accordance with Article 422.

2. Material with fixed contamination levels that exceed the total contamination limits specified in Table 2-2, and that have removable contamination less than Table 2-2 levels, may be released for use in controlled areas outside of the radiological areas. These items shall be routinely monitored and controlled in accordance with administrative procedures. Controls shall be established to ensure no unmonitored individual is likely to exceed a dose equivalent that would require monitoring in acordance with Article 511 or 521.

3. Radioactive material with removable contamination levels greater than Table 2-2 values shall be packaged prior to release to Controlled Areas. These items shall be routinely monitored and controlled in accordance with administrative procedures. Controls shall be established to ensure no unmonitored individual is likely to exceed a dose equivalent that would require monitoring in acordance with Article 511 or 521.

4. Material not immediately removed from Contamination, High Contamination, or Airborne Radioactivity Areas after survey shall be controlled to prevent contamination while awaiting release.

5. Records for release of surveyed materials shall describe the property, date of last survey, identity of the person who performed the survey, type and identification number of the survey instruments used, and survey results.

6. Materials released to Controlled Areas shall be labeled in accordance with Article 412.

Article 422 - Release to Uncontrolled Areas

1. Material in Controlled Areas or Radioactive Material Areas, documented to have been released from Contamination, High Contamination, or Airborne Radioactivity Areas, shall be surveyed prior to release to uncontrolled areas.

2. DOE 5400.5 describes radiological criteria for releasing material to uncontrolled areas. Material being released shall also be evaluated for internal contamination and contamination under any coatings.

3. DOE 5400.5 describes criteria for releasing radioactive material that has been contaminated in depth or volume, such as activated material or smelted contaminated material.

4. Material not immediately released after survey shall be controlled to prevent contamination while awaiting release.

5. Radiological labeling shall be removed from or defaced on material prior to release for unrestricted use.

Article 423 - Transportation of Radioactive Material

1. 49 CFR 170 through 180 describe requirements for inspecting and surveying packages, containers and transport conveyances prior to off-site transport. The 49 CFR 173 contamination values shall be used as controlling limits for off-site shipments transported by non-DOE conveyances. These limits also apply to on-site transfers of shipments by non-DOE conveyances received from or destined to off-site locations.

2. Table 2-2 removable contamination values shall be used as controlling limits for on-site and off-site transportation when using a DOE conveyance. When a shipment is received from an off-site destination, by a non-DOE conveyance, the 49 CFR contamination values shall be used when transfers are made by a DOE conveyance from the on-site receiving location to the ultimate on-site destination.

3. On-site transfers over nonpublic thoroughfares or between facilities on the same site shall be performed in accordance with written procedures utilizing pre-approved routes. The procedures shall include requirements to ensure appropriate monitoring and control of the radioactive material and should be approved by the Radiological Control Organization.

4. On-site transfers over public thoroughfares shall be performed in accordance with Department of Transportation, state and local shipping requirements and pre-approved agreements.

5. Off-site shipments of radioactive material, including subcontractors' handling of off-site shipments, shall be controlled and conducted in accordance with this Manual and applicable Federal, state and local regulations.

6. Before shipment, and upon receipt of a radioactive shipment, a visual inspection of packages should be performed to ensure that packages are not damaged. The inspection should identify dents, flaking paint, debris, package orientation and any indication of leakage.

7. Before shipment, and upon receipt of a radioactive shipment, a comparison of package count to the shipping manifest should be made to ensure accountability.

8. Transport conveyances should be visually inspected prior to loading to ensure the trailers are acceptable for the intended use.

9. Transport conveyances should be radiologically surveyed before loading, especially when using commercial carriers specializing in radioactive transport.

10. Transport of large volumes of radioactive material by non- DOE motor vehicles should be "exclusive use" to prevent commingling of DOE and other commercial shipments.

11. The site emergency plan should describe appropriate responses for potential on-site radioactive material transportation accidents.

12. Drivers of DOE and non-DOE motor vehicles should have a copy of their emergency response plan, or the emergency response information required by 49 CFR 172.600, during transport on- site or during off-site transportation.