ES&H Manual Radiation Control Supplement

Appendix 3B

Contamination Control Practices

Selection of Protective Clothing

1) Workers should inspect protective clothing prior to use for tears, holes or split seams that would diminish protection. All defective items should be replaced with intact protective clothing.

2) Protective clothing as prescribed by the Radiological Work Permit should be selected based on the contamination level in the work area, the anticipated work activity, worker health considerations, area(s) of the body likely to be exposed to removable contamination, and regard for non-radiological hazards that may be present. Table 3-1 provides general guidelines for selection. As referenced in the table, a full set and double set of protective clothing (PC) typically includes:

a) Full Set of PCs

i) Coveralls

ii) Cotton glove liners (optional)

iii) Gloves

iv) Shoe covers

v) Rubber overshoes

vi) Hood

b) Double Set of PCs

i) Two pairs of coveralls

ii) Cotton glove liners (optional)

iii) Two pairs of gloves

iv) Two pairs of shoe covers

v) Rubber overshoes

vi) Hood

3) Cotton glove liners may be worn inside standard gloves for comfort, but should not be worn alone or considered as a layer of protection.

4) Shoe covers and gloves should be sufficiently durable for the intended use. Leather or canvas work gloves should be worn in lieu of or in addition to standard gloves for work activities requiring additional strength or abrasion resistance.

5) Use of hard hats in Contaminated Areas should be controlled by the Radiological Work Permit. Hard hats designated for use in such areas should be distinctly colored or marked.

6) Shoe covers and gloves should be secured or taped at the coverall legs and sleeves when necessary to prevent worker contamination. Tape should be tabbed to permit easy removal.

7) Supplemental pocket or electronic dosimeters should be worn outside the protective clothing, in a manner accessible to the worker. Workers should protect such dosimeters from contamination by placing them in an outer coverall pocket or in plastic bags or pouches.

8) Outer personal clothing should not be worn under protective clothing for work conditions requiring a double set of protective clothing.

Removal of Protective Clothing

Potentially contaminated protective clothing should be removed without spreading contamination and in particular without contaminating the skin. Workers should be instructed not to touch the skin or place anything in the mouth during protective clothing removal. Instructions for protective clothing removal comparable to the sequence presented below should be posted adjacent to the step-off pad in accordance with Article 325-05.

The RCD may alter the order of PC removal based on the specific conditions.

Sequence for Removing a Full Set of Protective Clothing at the Step-Off Pad

Before stepping out of the contaminated area to the step-off pad, the worker should:

1) Remove exposed tape

2) Remove rubber overshoes

3) Remove gloves (Remove potentially contaminated gloves; replace with ‘clean’ gloves if a second glove was not originally worn.)

4) Remove hood from front to rear

5) Remove respiratory protection, as applicable

6) Remove coveralls, inside out, touching inside only

7) Take down barrier closure, as applicable

8) Remove each shoe cover, placing shoe onto clean step-off pad

9) Remove cloth glove liners

10) Replace barrier closure, as applicable

11) Commence whole body monitoring

12) Monitor badge and dosimeter.

The sequence for the removal of primary and supplemental dosimetry is dependent upon where the dosimetry was worn and the potential for contamination.

Sequence for Removing a Double Set of Protective Clothing using Two Step-Off Pads

Before stepping to the inner step-off pad, the worker should:

1) Remove exposed tape

2) Remove rubber overshoes

3) Remover outer gloves

4) Remove hood from front to rear

5) Remove respiratory protection, as applicable

6) Remove outer coverall, inside out, touching inside only

7) Remove tape from inner coverall and sleeves

8) Remove each outer shoe cover, stepping on inner step-off pad as each is removed

Before stepping to the outer step-off pad, the worker should:

9) Remove inner rubber gloves

10) Remove inner coveralls, inside out, touching inside only

11) Take down barrier closure, as applicable

12) Remove each inner shoe cover, placing shoe on clean outer step-off pad

13) Remove cotton glove liners

14) Replace barrier closure, as applicable

15) Commence whole body monitoring

16) Monitor badge and dosimeter

The sequence for the removal of primary and supplemental dosimetry is dependent upon where the dosimetry was worn and the potential for contamination.

Use of Multiple Step-Off Pads

1) Multiple step-off pads should be used to control exit from High Surface Contamination Areas. These pads define interim control measures within the posted area to limit the spread of contamination. The following controls apply:

a) The inner step-off pad should be located immediately outside the highly contaminated work area, but still within the posted area.

b) The worker should remove highly contaminated outer clothing prior to stepping on the inner step-off pad.

c) Additional secondary step-off pads, still within the posted area, may be utilized as necessary to restrict the spread of contamination out of the immediate area.

d) The final or outer step-off pad should be located immediately outside the Contamination Area.

Table 3-1: Guidelines for Selecting Protective Clothing (PC)

Removable Contamination Levels
Work Activity	Low (1 To 10 Times Appendix 2B Values)	Moderate (10 To 100 Times Appendix 2B Values)	High (> 100 Times Appendix 2B Values)
Routine	Full set of PCs	Full set of PCs	Full set of PCs, double gloves, double shoe covers
Heavy work	Full set of PCs, work gloves	Double set of PCs, work gloves	Double set of PCs, work gloves
Work with pressurized or large volume liquids, closed system breach	Full set of non-permeable PCs, face protection	Double set of PCs (outer set non-permeable), rubber boots, face protection	Double set of PCs and non-permeable outer clothing, rubber boots, face protection
Note: For hands-off tours or inspections in areas with removable contamination levels 1 to 10 times the values in Table 2-2, combinations of lab coats, shoe covers and gloves may be used instead of full PCs.

ISSUING AUTHORITY	APPENDIX AUTHOR	APPROVAL DATE	EFFECTIVE DATE	EXPIRATION DATE	REV.
ESH&Q Division	Keith Welch	07/01/10	07/01/10	07/01/13	4

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