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6310 Protection
from Ionizing Radiation |
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1.0
Purpose
Ionizing radiation and a variety of radioactive
materials are an integral part of the research activities at Jefferson Lab. Ionizing radiation is generated by
interactions of the accelerated electron beam with beam line components (e.g.:
magnets, flanges, and beam dumps) and experimental equipment such as
targets and detectors. These interactions give rise to two sources of potential
ionizing radiation exposure:
·
Prompt Radiation: emitted in the above interactions only when an accelerator is
running and stops when the accelerator is turned off.
·
Induced Radioactivity: Prompt radiation can generate radioactive nuclei
in surrounding materials through activation (induced radioactivity).
Activated materials continue to emit radiation after the accelerator has
been shut off. The potential for
activation exists to some extent in most areas of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator
Facility (CEBAF) accelerator and the Free Electron Laser (FEL).
Ionizing radiation emitted from any source presents
a hazard
issue, and is managed through the Jefferson Lab Radiation Control Department. Potential impact is significantly reduced by
adhering to the philosophy of keeping radiation exposure ALARA
- “as low as reasonably achievable.” The ALARA concept is an integral part of all activities that involve
the use of radiation or radioactive materials. This includes the design,
construction, and operation of existing and future facilities here at Jefferson
Lab. This chapter outlines requirements and procedures applicable to everyone
at the laboratory to ensure successful implementation of the program.
The
goals of the radiation protection program are summarized as follows.
·
There should not be any exposure of workers to ionizing radiation
without the expectation of an overall benefit from the activity causing the
exposure.
· Radiological activities should be conducted in a manner causing the
smallest practicable dose to personnel, following the ALARA principle.
Jefferson
Lab’s Radiation Protection Program is detailed within the Radiation Control
Supplement and satisfies applicable federal, state, and local requirements
as outlined in ES&H Manual Chapter
2410 Appendix T1 Hazard Issues List.
2.0
Scope
This
chapter applies to all operations and activities at Jefferson Lab that could
create ionizing radiation, or involve procurement, production, use, movement,
or disposal of radioactive materials of any kind on Jefferson Lab
property. Everyone at Jefferson Lab is
expected to adhere to the requirements of the program. For details regarding specific radiation
control procedures and requirements, see Radiation
Control Supplement – Chapter 1– Part 2 Radiological Controls and
Responsibilities in the Laboratory Organization or contact the Radiation
Control Department for further details.
Controls for radiation hazards judged to be
unique to accelerator operations (e.g. engineered controls for prompt radiation)
are identified in the Accelerator Safety Envelope (ASE) contained within Jefferson
Lab’s Final
Safety Assessment Document.
3.0
Responsibilities
NOTE: Management
authority may be delegated at the discretion of the responsible manager. (See Radiation
Control Supplement – Chapter 1– Part 2 Radiological Controls and
Responsibilities in the Laboratory Organization for further details.)
3.1
Everyone at Jefferson Lab
·
Enter Radiologically Controlled Areas only if you
have the proper training and dosimetry, as well as a current radiological
survey (if necessary).
·
Minimize intake of radioactive
material. Do not
smoke, eat, or chew gum or tobacco products in Radiation Areas, High Radiation Areas, Contamination
Areas, High Contamination Areas, potentially contaminated
areas, Airborne Radioactivity Areas, or Radioactive Material Areas.
·
Comply with radiation control instructions posted
on signs, provided by the Radiation Control Department, an Assigned Radiation
Monitor (ARM), and/or the Accelerator
Crew Chief.
·
Notify Radiation
Control Department (ext. 7551 or 7212) to obtain written approval
before bringing any radioactive materials, radiation-generating devices, soil
density test apparatus, or the like onto the Jefferson Lab site (see the
Radiation Control Supplement – Chapter 4
– Part 3 Radioactive Source Controls and Chapter 4
– Part 4 Radiation Generating Device controls for further details).
·
Contact the Radiation
Control Department (ext. 7551, 7212 or 876-1763) before removing
material from a radiological controlled area.
Examples of Radiation Postings

·
Maintain appropriate
radiological training (SAF801C Rad Worker I Class (exam and practicum not available
online)) and medical monitoring, as
required.
·
Wear a dosimeter
whenever you are in a radiologically controlled area. (See Radiation
Control Supplement – Chapter 5 – Part 1 External Dosimetry for further
details.)
·
Maintain awareness of your radiation
exposure status and avoid exceeding the Jefferson Lab alert level
of 0.25 rem (See Radiation
Control Supplement – Chapter 2 – Part 1 Administrative Control Level and Dose
Limits for further details.)
·
Follow the requirements of Radiological Work
Permits (RWPs) and other radiation safety procedures.
·
Place potentially radioactive tools,
equipment, and solid waste items in designated storage or waste containers. Keep unnecessary
items out of radiologically controlled areas, where they could become
activated. Report activated items or materials to the Radiation Control
Department if they have become unusable, and need to be disposed of.
3.2.1
Female Radiation
Workers also:
·
Be aware that ionizing radiation can be a
particular hazard for an embryo or
fetus. Jefferson Lab fully supports
special efforts to avoid exposure during pregnancy. (See Radiation
Control Supplement – Chapter 2 – Part 1 Administrative Control Level and Dose
Limits.
·
If you suspect, or know, that you are
pregnant and you desire any accommodation you must notify your supervisor. You are also encouraged to discuss radiation
monitoring with the Radiation
Control Manager.
3.3
Supervisor/Subcontracting
Officer’s Technical Representatives (SOTR)/Sponsor
·
Ensure that everyone under your authority stays
up to date with required radiation training.
·
Ensure that worker exposure and the release of
radioactive materials to the environment are kept ALARA.
·
By word and example, maintain high standards of
compliance with radiation control policy.
·
Ensure that work in a radiological area is reviewed
in advance by the Radiation Control Department so that an RWP is used in every
applicable case.
·
Ensure that the Radiation Control Department
advice about radiation controls is properly incorporated, in applicable
situations, in planning for maintenance or modification.
·
Give due consideration to any special monitoring
requirements or work limitations placed on Radiation Workers.
3.4
Assigned
Radiation Monitor (ARM)
·
Complete and maintain appropriate
radiation training and medical monitoring, as required.
·
Upon completion of training, serve as a Radiation
Control Department representative to ensure radiation control programs are
followed.
·
Assist the Radiation Control Department by conducting
routine radiation surveys according to approved procedures prior to accelerator
enclosure access.
·
Conduct non-routine surveillance, checks, and
measurements under the Radiation Control Department guidance in response to
unusual conditions, alarming instrumentation, etc.
3.5
Source
Custodians and Radioactive
Material Custodians
·
Ensure any radiation source in your charge is
used, maintained, and stored properly. (See
Radiation
Control Supplement – Chapter 4 - Radioactive Materials and Sources for
further details.)
4.0 Expectations
Jefferson Lab expects all employees,
subcontractors, users, and visitors to fulfill their responsibilities as
outlined above, and to contact the Radiation Control Department (ext.
7551, 7212 or 876-1743) when clarification or assistance is needed.
Only appropriately trained Radiological
Control Technologists (RCT) are authorized to release material from
radiological controlled areas (RCA); ARMs are not authorized to perform these
duties. Contact the Radiation Control
Department (ext. 7551, 7212 or 876-1743) for more information.
5.0 Revision
Summary
Revision 1 – 06/23/11 - Updated to reflect current laboratory operations.
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ISSUING
AUTHORITY |
TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT |
APPROVAL
DATE |
EXPIRATION
DATE |
REV. |
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ESH&Q Division |
06/23/11 |
06/23/16 |
1 |
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