Posting Radiological Safety and Response RPT-243-PE-4.

Posting

Radiological Safety and ResponseRPT-243-PE-4

Learning OutcomesUpon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to (cont’d):

• Post any radiologically controlled area in accordance with the regulations when provided survey information, radiological profile information, posting material and local guidance.

• Describe precautions and survey techniques for entering an area where radiation levels are unknown.

• Demonstrate actions that should be taken if radiological conditions significantly different from those indicated by the posting.

Outline

• Explanation• Mini-Lecture and Demo for Posting Techniques• Section 1 – COP Surveillance• Section 2 – Posting Construction and

Placement• Debrief

Explanation• The same team assignments made in PE-1 will

continue into this PE.• The teams will be sub-divided into two person

sub-teams.• This PE has two sections.

– The first section involves the teams performing a surveillance under the Compliance Observation Program (COP).

– The second section involves the teams demonstrating the ability to construct and place a barrier rope with posting in place.

Explanation

• The teams will be held accountable for the use of proper three-part communication and human performance tools during the PE.

• The exercise will start with a mini-lecture on proper posting techniques and will include a pre-job briefing for the scenario.

• At the conclusion of the practical portion, a team debrief may be held if time permits.

Posting Techniques

In General…

• Each station issues procedures that describe the details of their posting standards.

• In many cases, the local standard is more conservative than the regulatory requirements.

• For example:– The standard for regulations in posting a radiation

area is 5 mrem/hr general area dose rates. – The local standard may be that radiation areas are

posted at 2.5 mrem/hr.

In General…

– The regulations say the words “Caution” and “Radiation Area” are to be used.

– The station may require additional wording such as “RWP Required for Entry” and “Dosimetry Required for Entry”

– “Notify HP Prior to Entry” may be another locally imposed posting required.

In General…

– Colored inserts may also be used to enable differentiation of hazards on a common posting sign.

– Unique shapes may be specified such as a triangle shaped sign for Locked High Radiation Areas

• Other techniques may be stipulated through training, department policy or “standing orders” such as: – the need to secure the ends of a rope using a

specific technique.

In General…

– The need to tape or otherwise secure inserts in the holder

– The requirement to place entry barriers for radiological areas without step-off pads (SOPs) at a height of five feet secured on both ends

– The requirement to place barrier rope at SOPs secured at one end with a hooking device on the other

– The requirement that signs not be placed on doors that might be blocked open unless a back-up barrier is erected.

The ATC-RPT Standard

• For the purposes of our PEs, the posting standards that will be used are shown in the following pictures and as described here:– Every posted area will have the wording “Caution”

“Radioactive Materials Area”– Multiple hazards may be represented on the same sign

with dose rate based information shown first followed by airborne based posting and then contamination based posting.

– Contact HP (RP) Prior to Entry is required on all posing signs at the bottom

Multiple Areas

The ATC-RPT Standard

• Radiological Buffers Zones (RBZ) have unique postings not addressed in the regulations.

• Some power facilities use them, some do not. The DOE sites typically use either an RBZ or Radiological Buffer Area (RBA)

• We will use the RBA prior to an individual entering an RCA.

RBA

The ATC-RPT Standard

• Barriers are treated one of two ways:– An invisible plane that must not be broken– Wet paint theory – reaching across is okay – just

don’t touch anything.– We will use the invisible plane theory– Do not break the plane created by the barrier or

the tape on the floor.• Radioactive tape is also used specifically in

applications concerning loose surface contamination. It defines the intersection of the plane with the floor

The Invisible Plane

Tape

The ATC-RPT Standard

• Areas with SOPs will have provision made for the barrier to be temporarily disconnected to permit access and egress. In this case, the barrier is to be approximately waist level.

• Barriers at areas without SOPs are to be secured on both ends with the barrier rope at a height of five feet.

• The ends of all rope barriers are to be secured using tie-wraps and a double overlap of the end.

Securing the Ends

The Technique

The “bitter end”Trim off excess unraveled pieces

The Technique

The first loop. About two inches between ty-wraps

The Technique

The second loop. Notice the two new tie-wraps are between the

first two tie-wraps

The Technique

Trim it up. The tie-wraps as close as possible.

Up the side cutters to cut the excess rope as close as possible.

The Technique Completed

The ATC-RPT Standard

• Any area with radiological readings > 80% of the threshold for the next level of posting should have the posting upgraded to the next level as a precaution. For example:– The general area dose rates in a posted High

Radiation Area are found to be 800 mr/hr. The area should be upgraded to a LHRA.

– The RPT would do this after consulting with an RP Supervisor.

Pre-Job Briefing

Scenario PJB

• Your team is assigned to participate in a routine surveillance conducted in accordance with the station’s Compliance Observation Program (COP).

• Each team is assigned specific postings to inspect.

• Each team is given a current survey to use as the standard for the posting observation.

• Each four man team will be sub-divided into two person sub-teams.

• Standard radiological safety guidelines apply.• Industrial safety standards also apply. Adhere

to all postings.

Scenario PJB

• The task is to check the posting in place to ensure it matches the radiological conditions presented by the survey data.

• Your RWP number is RWP-201X-243 task 4.• The team members are to adhere to all RWP

requirements and posting.• The team members are to perform the task in

a manner in which dose is equalized between the team members.

Scenario PJB

• The teams are to adhere to the instructions given in the Student Guide.

• Discrepancies are to be communicated to the Instructor and actions taken as directed.

• Questions

Section 1COP Surveillance

Instructions

• Timed• Follow the Student Guide as a procedure.

Section 2Posting Construction and Placement

Scenario Set-Up

• When using the side-cutters on the tie-wraps or the rope, use caution to avoid sharp edges and the pinch point.

• Using the information and materials provided, construct and install a barrier and posting in accordance with the local guidance and regulatory requirements.

Instructions

• Follow the Student Guide as your procedure.

• After finishing Section 2, complete the student guide as a team and return it to the Instructor.

What Are Your Questions ?