Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Control Manual

Chapter 4 - Radioactive Materials

Part 4 - Solid Radioactive Waste Management

Table of Contents (Articles 44x)

• 441 Requirements
• 442 Waste Minimization
• 443 Mixed Waste

Article 441 - Requirements

1. DOE 5820.2A describes how solid radioactive waste is treated, packaged, stored, transported and disposed.

2. Radiological operations generating radioactive waste should be designed and developed to promote minimization and permit segregation, monitoring, treatment, storage and disposal.

3. Radioactive waste minimization goals and practices should be developed and implemented.

Article 442 - Waste Minimization

A radioactive waste minimization program shall be in effect to reduce the generation of radioactive waste and spread of contamination from Contamination, High Contamination or Airborne Radioactivity Areas. The following practices should be instituted to support waste minimization:

1. Restrict material entering Radiological Buffer Areas to those needed for performance of work.

2. Restrict quantities of hazardous materials, such as paints, solvents, chemicals, cleaners and fuels, entering Radiological Buffer Areas and take measures to prevent inadvertent radioactive contamination of these materials.

3. Substitute recyclable or burnable items in place of disposable ones and reuse equipment when practical.

4. Select consumable materials such as protective coverings and clothing that are compatible with waste-processing systems, volume reduction and waste form acceptance criteria.

5. Reserve an assortment of tools primarily for use in Contamination, High Contamination or Airborne Radioactivity Areas. Tools should be maintained in a designated storage or distribution area or a contaminated tool crib. Controls should be established for tool issuance and use.

6. Survey potentially contaminated material from Radiological Buffer Areas to separate uncontaminated from contaminated materials.

7. Segregate known uncontaminated from potentially contaminated waste.

8. Segregate reusable items, such as protective clothing, respirators and tools, at the step-off pad.

9. Minimize the number and size of Radioactive Material Areas.

10. Emphasize training in waste reduction philosophies, techniques and improved methods.

Article 443 - Mixed Waste

Requirements specified in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Toxic Substances Control Act apply to waste that contains both radioactive and hazardous materials.

1. DOE 5400.3 and 5820.2A describe controls for mixed waste.

2. DOE 5400.3 and 5820.2A, and Article 442, describe how mixed waste generation should be minimized.

3. Technical and administrative controls should be established to minimize the volume of mixed waste generated and the amount of radioactivity in such waste. Volume reduction methods include process optimization, materials substitution and new technology development.

4. Materials suspected of being mixed waste should be identified and segregated as soon as practical in the generating process to avoid combining mixed waste with other waste forms.

5. The most stringent regulatory requirements for the types of waste present should be applied to waste classification and disposal.