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
What are the differences in concentration when dealing with low contamination areas vs high contamination areas?
Low con concentrates of work practices. High con concentrates on engineering and equipment
Describes contamination levels and limitations for each control below:
- Catch, Drape, Engineered Drape, Glovebag/glovebox, Walk-in CSCA
Catch = <450, 50, 9; no cont. allowed
Drape = <5000, 200, 40; no dust producing operations or water spray
Eng. Drape = >5000, 200, 40; Ventilation must be validated, design/testing of drape shall be included in TWD, mock-up training required
Glovebag/Glovebox = >5000, 200, 40; >25000, 2500, 500 requires negative ventilation and double gloves; >1000000, 2500, 500 requires additional controls
Walk-in CSCA = no upper limit; at higher levels of cont., enclosed walk-in may be necessary to control airborne
What are some examples when catch work would be required?
Umbilical cuts, work on a monitored side of a system, connecting/disconnecting test equipment
What are some examples when drape work would be required? What are the levels in which work would need to be upgraded?
System entry into known contaminated systems, facility maintenance, decon of item > article 502 limits.
Cont >5000 are encountered for 3rd time
Cont >200/40 are encountered for 2nd time
Cont >10000, 500, 100 encountered any time
What are some examples of when glovebags/gloveboxes are used?
Working on contaminated equipment; levels can’t be maintained <5000, 200, 40; liquid spray is expected or water cannot be easily controlled
Define RAM. For any job generating RAM, what must the PRS do?
Any equipment, parts, and material that have been potentially exposed to beta/gamma contamination or a neutron flux from a Naval nuclear reactor
Review the TWD to ensure that the disposition of RAM is identified including additional requirements for segregation of mixed waste. Know what RAM is expected to be generated, how the waste was characterized, methods and procedures used to control the RAM
Why is RAM only transported over approved transfer routes?
-Minimize the area to search and survey in the event of a spill or loss of RAM during transport
-Prevent traversing living quarters and food preparation/messing areas
-Prevent unmonitored and/or inadvertent exposure to the general public
-Provide a record for decommissioning surveys
What is a Temp RMA?
An area where RAM is expected to be stored outside of RCAs for short periods of time
Define an HRA
High radiation areas are any accessible area where a portion of the whole body could be exposed to radiation levels > 100 mR/hr
What are some important facets of posting a high radiation area?
-All gates, doors, and access points are required to be posted with HRA signs
-Duplicate signs should be used when primaries may be covered up
-Temporary enclosures are posted with HRA signs on each side of the exterior, approx every 15 ft
-Emergency exit doors posted inside such that when the door is opened, and it becomes an HRA access, the HRA posting is visible
-Barriers at least 6 ft tall
-Barriers not completely enclosed by a roof shall have signs conspicuously posted designating a 3 ft. clear zone around perimeter
Does the PRS provide signature on HRA certifications?
Yes
What needs to happen to establish HRA controls?
-Inspections and certification paperwork completed by PRS and SRCT
-Area tenant briefs team (prod. eng, RCTs, rad eng.)
-Verify no personnel remain inside area
-Station guards or install HRA locks on all access points
-Uncover HRA signs
What are the inspection frequencies of established, permanent HRAs? HR containers?
Annually
Quarterly
Who authorizes entry into an HRA?
Cognizant area tenants
What are the requirements for entering an HRA?
-Required dosimeters are attached
-Verify information on HRA access log is complete and correct
-Read EPD prior to entry
-Entry is authorized
-You have a valid reason for entry
What is required to disestablish an HRA?
-RCT/QM perform radiation surveys to verify no HRA is present
-SRCT reviews the surveys of the HRA and signs survey form that reviews has been completed, and HRA may be disestablished
-Remove/cover HRA postings
-Remove HRA locks/closure devices
-SRCT or Area tenant shall perform an independent review to ensure the HRA has been properly disestablished
For what type of controls are (R) steps required?
1 R/hr controls; used for performing detailed rad gradient surveys and establishment of stay times and predetermined PD readings
When is constant direct oversight of the worker required?
When working in 1 R/hr controls
What are stay times and predetermined pocket dosimeter readings? When are these metrics used?
Stay time is the amount of time a person is allowed to occupy an area without exceeding a predetermined dose due to the radiation levels that will be encountered in either the work area of the work position.
Predetermined pocket dosimeter reading is a calculated max permissible dosed based on the difference between an individual’s allowable exposure and the exposure already received for the year
1 R/hr controls
How is the predetermined pocket dosimeter reading calculated?
Control level (mrem) - dose recieved (mrem) - 50 mrem OR 3/4 scale of pocket dosimeter, whichever is lower
There are two ways to calculate stay times; with constant direct observation and without. Describe how to calculate both.
With direct observation:
control level (mrem) - dose recieved (mrem) / highest radiation level in work position
Without direct observation:
2000 mrem - dose received (mrem) / highest radiation level accessible
When directly overseeing work in 1 R/hr controls, what are the two main observation tasks?
- Validate worker maintains their body position as specified on the DPW
- Worker reads PD frequently
What 4 factors determine risk?
- Potential problems
- Causes
- Likelihood
- How much harm
What are some conditions that affect the overall risk of a job?
-Level of complexity
-Time constraints
-Work on energized components
-Infrequently executed ops
-First time execution
-Combination of risk factors
Successful accomplishment of every job involves six core ‘Ps’; what are they?
- Paper (TWD)
- People (work team; consider quals and worker experience)
- Parts (tools used for job)
- Place (jobsite scoped and ready)
- Prevention (PPE in place, risk mitigation, stop work plan, mistake identification)
- Post-work (debriefs, waste disposition, house-keeping)
What are the planning and execution differences between medium and high risk work?
-High risk should plan 10 days in advance, medium 7
-For high risk work, assigned personnel should stay on the team through completion of job
-High-risk work involves a readiness assessment brief with second-level supervision. Second-level supervision should also oversee work
What is a table-top review? When are they appropriate to be conducted?
Meeting during which the TWD is reviewed step-by-step to validate that the work is executable as written
-First time job performance, when a job has been significantly re-engineered, or if determined necessary by the shop/project
What are the 3 types of briefs?
-Readiness assessment brief (RAB; used for high-risk work)
-Pre-job brief
-Pre-shift brief
What is the purpose of the pre-job brief?
-Provide an overview of the job (condition at the start of the job, tasks to accomplish, end-state condition)
-Establish the objectives for all assigned personnel
-Identify risks and mitigation strategies
-Ensure that assigned workers are qualified and prepared to execute the work
How does the PRS determine if a work brief is satisfactory?
-All the participants understand the assigned tasks and how they will interface with other personnel involved
-All critical elements, such as safety, decision points, stopping points, RAM handling and potential casualties, have been addressed
-Worker readiness has been confirmed
There are 8 elements of PRS oversight. What are they?
- Understand the job
Expected exposure/contamination levels, critical elements of of the TWD - Facilitate an interactive brief to asses the work team’s readiness to execute work
Validate understanding for each person, assess readiness - Be proactive and efficient in communications
Notify all crafts prior to brief, notify personnel of issues, document RDRs - Utilize deck-plate oversight to reinforce nuclear fundamentals
Oversee work practices, ensure verbatim compliance - Maintain proper control of RAM generated during work
Ensure RAM is packaged, tagged, accounted for and stored correctly - Ensure good housekeeping practices are used to maintain worksite cleanliness
Enough supplies available, organization is proper - Recognize expected versus deficient conditions during work
- Know when to stop work
understand when work is no longer within the scope of the engineered controls
During deck-plate oversight, the PRS should concentrate on what facets of work?
-Validating work practices are within scope
-Maintain cognizance of worksite
-Ensure TWD steps are being tracked and performed correctly
-Exposure sensitivty
-RAM awareness
-RDR timeliness
Proper housekeeping during work execution reduces radiological risks by ensuring:
- Efficient work execution
- Proper control of RAM
- No spread of contamination
- Proper exposure control
A radiological deficiency is defined as
-Failure to follow NAVSEA requirements
-Failure to follow locally prepared procedures verbatim
-Anything involved with radiation or radioactivity that could have been done better
What are some examples of 1st order incidents?
- Exceeding exposure limit
- Skin contamination
- Possible personnel injury
- Internal exposure
There are certain situations where Radcon casualty response comes second; what are those situatoins? (hint: FIRES)
Fire
Injury
Reactor (crit problem)
Evacuation
Security
What is a debrief?
A self-review of what happened, how the team performed, and what can be done to make the next time better.
What are some examples where a formal debrief is required?
-REM estimates 20% off
-1 R/hr jobs
-CSCA >25,000, 5000
-Initial performance of SRWP or TWD that has significant rad controls
