PRS Flashcards
What are the four customers of the NNPP?
- Workers
- Sailors
- Public
- Environment
What are the radiological controls program technical principles? Give one example of how we control these categories?
- Control and monitor exposure
Monitored using dosimetry - Prevent ingestion of inhalation
Use of containments, anti-c’s - Keep radiation ALARA
Work engineering, local control levels - Maintain control of contamination
rad postings, cont. control methods, surveys - Control radioactive material
Accounted for and controlled to prevent release, RAM system - Maintain the health of workers and sailors
periodic medical examination and internal monitoring - Protect the public and environment
environmental monitoring
What are the 9 key behaviors of the radiological controls program? (hint; TOILET PP, C?)
- Trust at all levels of the organization
- Take steps to minimize errors
- Individual ownership
- Find your own problems
- Participation from all departments
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Share lessons learned
- Timeliness of actions
- Conservative approach to problems
Trust
Ownership
Improvement
Lessons learned
Errors, minimize them
Timeliness
Problems, find your own
Participation, from all departments
Conservatism
Describe the nuclear work model
3 groups; Engineering, Supervision, Worker (training). QA is between Eng and supervision, RCTs are between Workers and Engineering. Effort levels in each circle varies depending on workforce experience and complexity of work.
What are the 4 strategies that could be used in risk mitigation planning and monitoring?
- Assume and accept risk
- Avoidance of risk
- Controlling risk
- Watch and monitor risk
Risk mitigation is an on-going decision-making process from the beginning to the end of a job
NNPP handles risk reduction through the application of the nuclear work model. What are the hierarchy of controls when mitigating risk?
- Eliminate the hazard when possible
- Utilize engineering controls
- Apply administrative controls that limit worker exposure
When receiving a new TWD, a PRS performs the following:
- Comprehensive review of the procedure and rad surveys
- Inspect the actual jobsite
- Draw on past experience; discuss with workers, RCTS, etc.
- Identify risks and develop risk mitigation strategies
TWDs typically outline radiological controls that fall into 2 categories; what are they, and provide some examples?
- How work is engineered
Examples: Max contamination levels, type of containment, amount of liquid, rad surveys and dosimeters, tools used, rad ventilation, anti-c reqs - Dynamic work operations (or situations where there is a high potential for changing radiation and contamination levels)
Examples: Breaching a radioactive system, grinding contaminated items, removing/installing temp shielding. PRS expected to cover dynamic ops as they are higher risk
What is an engineered decision point?
Pre-determined rad condition where the TWD provides clear direction on how to proceed based on survey results. May be used to downgrade or upgrade work controls.
What are radiological (or ‘R’) inspection steps?
These are certification signature steps in which RCT personnel are required to sign for a specified action. Omission or incorrect accomplishment of the step could result in a significant rad problem.
Cannot proceed with procedure until step completed and signed by RCT (unless otherwise noted in procedure)
What are some examples where ‘R’ steps are required?
Exposure controls
-performing gradient survey when working in rad fields >1 R/hr
-initially establishing 1 R/hr controls
-Exclusion area (dis)establishment
Potential release
-Certification of joint wraps and glovebags installed on untested mechanical joints
Airborne
-Certification of engineered drapes
-Certification of glovebags or tents
What are radiological stop points?
A pre-determined radiological conditions that requires work to be stopped to prevent exceeding the engineered controls of TWD and possibly violating a NAVSEA limit
Examples include reaching a maximum contamination or radiation level
In practice, what’s the difference between an engineering decision point and a radiological stop point?
With decision points, work is allowed to continue using a pre-engineered set of controls. With a stop point, work is NOT allowed to continue until engineering resolution is obtained in writing
When preparing for a job, what RCSP provides an outline of best practices to use as a guide to plan, execute, and review the completion of nuclear work? It includes the briefing checklist!
RCSP 99
What is man-rem? What are the two ways man-rem is estimated?
Indicates the total exposure received by a group of people working a particular job, project or the overall organization.
Historical data (use data from previously accomplished work) or Estimated hours (used when no history exists; estimate exposure based on time in area only)
How do man-rem estimates and planning achieve ALARA? Hint: PAR
Pre-planning all aspects of work
Track and compare Actual radiation exposure with estimates
Reasons for difference in actual versus estimates
Plan
Actual
Reasons
Who can grant local exposure control levels increases?
Director of Radiological Controls
What is avoidable exposure?
Radiation exposure that could have been prevented or reduced by change in job preparation or process
What are some supervisor responsibilities with how man-rem estimates are applied and managed?
-Know the exposure estimate for the job
-Pre-plan the job for ALARA work practices
-Track how exposure is used
-Report differences seen between actual and expected exposure and abe able to explain reasons why
-Identify conditions or work practices that result in avoidable exposure
Define hot spot
An area with an on-contact radiation level > 100 mR/hr and >4 times the general radiation level
When reviewing maps, what should PRS’ look for in terms of radiation exposure?
-Areas with lowest radiation
-Areas with highest radiation
-Hot spots
-Areas with gradient radiation fields
-Areas with >1 R/hr levels
What are the 3 types of radiation sources? Define each.
-Point source = small item or component that emits radiation. Example is primary valve in reactor compartment
-Line source = line with radiation levels spread uniformly along it. Example is radioactive piping.
-Plane source = large, flat surface that emits radiation levels uniformly. Example is a large rad liquid waste tank
What is a gradient radiation field?
When general area radiation levels exceed > 30 mR/hr in the work area AND the dose rate at any other whole body location is expected to exceed the dose rate at the front of the chest by 30% or more
Explain the 3 radiation field tiers, and the required dosimetry for each.
Tier 1 = work area <30 mR/hr or area with uniform radiation fields >30 mR/hr
Dosimetry = single TLD on chest
Tier 2 = >30 mR/hr and <100 mR/hr where dose rate at other whole body monitoring locations is expected to exceed the chest by 30% or more
Dosimetry = multiple dosimetry, depending on where sources are located
Tier 3 = >100 mR/hr where dose rate at other whole body monitoring locations is expected to exceed the chest by 30% or more
Dosimetry = multiple; DPW/gradient surveys required
What are the situations where multiple whole body dosimeters are NOT required?
-Transient access
-Short duration work (only Tier 2)
What are the PRS responsibilities when multiple dosimetry is required to be worn?
-Review DPW
-Brief DPW
-Validate worker’s available exposure
-During work, ensure worker’s body is situated as described in DPW
-Validate worker’s wearing TLDs as specified