TITLE

ES&H Manual

 

DOCUMENT ID

6310 Protection from Ionizing Radiation

 

1.0            Purpose

Ionizing radiation and a variety of radioactive materials are an integral part of 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 is emitted in the above interactions only when an accelerator is running; this type of ionizing radiation 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) and Low Energy Recirculator Facility (LERF) accelerators.  Activation is not expected in the Upgraded Injector Test Facility (UITF).

Ionizing radiation emitted from any source presents a hazard issue, and is managed through the 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, an integral part of all activities that involve the use or production of radiation or radioactive materials, includes the design, construction, and operation of existing and future facilities here at Jefferson Lab. Outlined in this chapter are the requirements and procedures – applicable to everyone at the Lab – that 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 optimized such that dose to personnel is kept ALARA.

TJNAFs Radiation Protection Program is detailed in the Radiological Control Manual 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 that could create ionizing radiation, or involve procurement, production, use, movement, or disposal of radioactive materials of any kind on TJNAF property; everyone is expected to adhere to the requirements of the program. For details regarding specific radiation control procedures and requirements, refer to the Radiological Control Manual 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 TJNAFs Final Safety Assessment Document (FSAD). 

 

Required radiological control training by job classification

Course1

unescorted access to

Assigned Radiation Monitor

Radiological Control Technician

Controlled Areas

Radiologically Controlled Areas

Radiologically Contaminated Areas

General Employee Radiation Training2

SAF800

X

 

 

 

 

Radiation Worker Level I (RW-I)

SAF801P, SAF801C & SAF801T

 

X

X

X

 

Radiation Worker Level II (RW-II)

Radiologically Contaminated Area Work

SAF802

 

 

X

 

 

Assigned Radiation Monitor

SAF803

 

 

 

X

 

Radiological Control Technician

SAF899

 

 

 

 

X

1 Standard courses are shown; specialized training may be conducted to address specific job classifications and conditions of work. Contact the Radiation Control Department to ensure your training is adequate and current.

2 GERT

3.0            Responsibilities

Note:    Management authority may be delegated to a task-qualified TJNAF employee at the discretion of the responsible manager.  (Refer to the Radiological Control Manual for further details.)

3.1             Everyone at TJNAF

·        Enter radiologically controlled areas (RCAs) only if you have the proper training and dosimetry, as well as a current radiological survey (if necessary). 

·        Minimize the potential for 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 ARM, and/or the Accelerator Crew Chief.

·        Notify the Radiation Control Department (extension [x] 6806 or 7219) to obtain written approval before bringing any radioactive materials, radiation-generating devices, soil density test apparatus, or the like to Jefferson Lab (see the Radiological Control Manual for further details).

·        Contact the Radiation Control Department (x6806 or x7219) before removing material from a radiologically controlled area.

 

Examples of Radiation Postings

 

3.2             Radiation Workers

·        Maintain appropriate radiological training, SAF801C, Rad Worker I Initial Training  (the practical portion of training is not available online).

·        Wear a dosimeter whenever you are in a radiologically controlled area. Refer to Chapter 5, Radiological Health Support Operations, of the Radiological Control Manual for further details.

·        Maintain awareness of your radiation exposure status and avoid exceeding the TJNAF alert level of 0.25 rem.  Refer to Chapter 2, Radiological Control Standards, in the Radiological Control Manual 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.

Female radiation workers shall also

·        be aware that ionizing radiation exposure carries a higher risk for an embryo/fetus; TJNAF fully supports special efforts to avoid exposure during pregnancy (refer to Chapter 2 of the Radiological Control Manual)

·        notify their supervisor if they suspect (or know) that they are pregnant and desire any accommodation (they are also encouraged to discuss radiation monitoring with the appropriate Radiation Control Department representative)

3.3             Supervisor, Technical Representative (TR), or Sponsor

·        Ensure everyone under your authority stays up-to-date with required radiation training.

·        Ensure 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 an RWP is used in every applicable case.

·        Ensure that Radiation Control Department advice regarding radiological controls is properly incorporated, as applicable, 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.

·        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 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.  (Refer to Chapter 4 of the Radiological Control Manual for further details.)

4.0       Expectations

ALL employees, subcontractors, users, and visitors are expected to fulfill their responsibilities as outlined above. Furthermore, it is expected that the Radiation Control Department will be contacted (x6806 or x7219) when clarification or assistance is needed. 

Only appropriately trained Radiological Control Technicians are authorized to release material from radiologically controlled areas; ARMs are not authorized to perform these duties. Contact the Radiation Control Department for more information.


5.0       Revision History

rev

summary

date

2.0

periodic 3-year review

- updated terms, titles, etc. as well as hyperlinks

- removed Medical Monitoring for Hazardous Work (MED01) from the table in 2.0 as well as references to medical monitoring throughout the chapter

- changed SOTR to TR

- updated Revision Summary to table format, Revision History

06.14.2022

1.3

updated TPOC from VVylet to KWelch

03.25.2019

1.2

periodic review; minor edit to reflect the optimization aspect of ALARA (as described in DOE-HDBK-1215-2014)

08.04.2016

1.1

added required safety training table in section 2.0

05.20.2014

1.0

updated to reflect current laboratory operations

06.23.2011

 

 

ISSUING AUTHORITY

TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT

APPROVAL DATE

NEXT REVIEW DATE

REVIEW CYCLE

rev

 

 

ES&H Division

Keith Welch

03.25.2019

06.14.2025

3 years

2.0

 

This document is controlled as an online file.  It may be printed but the print copy is not a controlled document. 

It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the document is the same revision as the current online file.  This copy was printed on 3/2/2023.