BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY

PHYSICS DEPARTMENT
Number: PO-ESH-06 Revision: 3.1
Effective: 04/1/2013 Page 1 of3
Subject: Radiological Control - ALARA Program
nt Chair
Prepared by: Michael Zarcone I ES

Chair
Offici;"c<i(Ies of these procedures are maintained at the http://www.bnl.gov/pnysics/safety/policies.asp.
e using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version by checking the document issue date on the website. Signed
copies ofthese official procedures are maintained at the Training Otlice.
RADIOLOGICAL CONTROL
ALARAPROGRAM
This Policy is to be implemented in conjunction with the Laboratory Radiological Control (BNL-
RCM) Manual. ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is an operating principle fo
radiation protection by which personnel and environmental radiation exposures are limited to the
lowest levels commensurate with sound economic and social considerations.
In the Physics Department, the most common sources of exposure to ionizing radiation o
concern to the ALARA program will arise :from the use of non-dispersible radionuclides and
from laboratory-scale radiation generating equipment, such as X-ray machines.
This policy includes the elements of the ALARA Program, Administrative Control Levels
(ACLs), and the Collective Limits as given below.
L ELEMENTS OF THEALARAPROGRAM
A. Scope
The ALARA program of the Physics Department consists of the BNL Radiological
Control Manual (BNL-RCM), and Department Policies. The goal of the Physic
Department ALARA Program is to increase staff awareness of the importance
applying ALARA principles to their work, with the intention that this increase
awareness will lead to safer conditions and lower radiation exposures.
B. Management
Physics Department management is committed to maintaining exposure to ioruzm
radiation as low as reasonably achievable. The Department Chair has appointed the ESH
Coordinator as the ALARA Coordinator for the Physics Department.
C. Responsibility
of
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f
s
Official copies of these procedures are maintained at the following website; http://www.bnl.govfphysicsfsafetyJpolicies.asp.
Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version by checking the document issue date on the website. Signed
copies of these official procedures are maintained at the Training Office.
Occupationalworkersknow and apply reasonable exposure reducingtechniques inthe
planningstages, aspartof WorkPlanningandControlforExperimentsandOperations.
SupervisorypersonnelsupporttheimplementationofALARAand workto ensure that
theworkers undertheirsupervisioncomply withand applytheprinciplesofALARAin
theirworkassignments. Supervisorsensurethatworkersreceiveappropriatetrainingand
that the workers are aware ofcurrent ALARA guidelines. They ensure that adequate
equipment and facilities are available for employees to perform the work safely in
accordancewithALARAprinciples.
ThePhysics Department is a low hazard radiological facility and is not required to
have a formal ALARA Committee. Radiological work is reviewed, and ALARA
principles applied, as part ofthe Experimental Safety Review, or as part ofWork
Planning. .
TheALARACoordinatorisresponsibleforimplementingthisprogram.
D. AdministrativeReview
The ALARAprogramwillbeassessed/auditedas requiredintheRCD ALARAprogram
description.
E. JobPlanning/Review
Written procedures, such as Radiation WorkPermits orWork Control Permits may be
required for certain levels ofradiological work, as determined by Experiment Safety
.ReviewsorWorkPlanning.
F. Training
ALARAtraining ispartofthefacility specifictrainingand isrequired ofall employees,
guests and visitors and shall be maintained as required in the RCD ALARA program
description.
ll. INDIVIDUALRADIATIONDOSE
A. The Physics Department establishes an ACL of100 mrem per calendar year for those
trained individuals whowork exclusively in the Physics Department and non-research
facilities and an ACL of250 mrem percalendaryearfor those individuals who workat
other research facilities. The individuals covered by these ACLs are those who are
members, workin, areaguest, orvisitorofthePhysicsDepartmentandwhosePersonnel
Monitoringis chargedtoaPhysicsDepartmentaccount. Trainingrequirementsarethose
set by the Laboratory's Radiological Control Division. Approvals to exceed these
amountsaregiveninthetablebelow.
Number: PQ-ESH-06
B. These ACLs will be evaluated annually by the Department Environmental Safety
SecurityandHealthCommitteeand ALARACoordinatorwho reportto theDepartment
Chair.
ill. COLLECTIVERADIATIONDOSEGOALS
A. The Collective Dose Goal for all Physics Department personnel is 1person-rem for a
calendar year. This is specifically for all those who have their Thermo Luminescent
Dosimeter(TLD)servicethroughaPhysicsDepartmentaccount.
B. Reporting - The ESH Coordinator obtains exposure data from Radiological Control
Division (ReD) Personnel Monitoring in a timely manner so that progress ofthe
collective dose can be monitored and reportedto theDepartment'sESSH Committee at
least annually. The status ofthe collective dose goal shall be used as a performance
indicator. Collectivedoseincludesthedosesreceivedfrom externaland internal sources.
SUMMARYOFPHYSICSDEPARTMENTADMINISTRATIVELEVELS
f MaximumIndividualDoseLevel(mrem) Period
of
Interest
Calendar 125Thosewithouttraining,-i.e.membersof the
Year public,employees,guests,visitors
IIndividualDoseLevelWithLineAuthority
Approvals(mrem)
I
I
1: upto 100(ChairApproval)
1
I25Minorsincludingminorstudents- with I
I parental permission (trainedanduntrained)
I 50 pregnantworkersandembryo/fetus Iupto350(ChairApproval)
Ipergestation I
I100Trained,workingexclusivelyinthePhysics '1- -A-PP-J:1-0-val) I
, I
1250to2000(LabDirectorApproval)
I
1 i250Trained,workinginotherresearchfacilities I above2000(DOESecretarialOfficeordesignee)
Trainedonly- excIudingminors ------11 200(Approvalauthoritywillbeonthe
I RadiationWorkPermit)
ILifetime INrem I WhereNIsAgeof Pe<soninYears
_I I LaboratoryDirectorApprovalToExceedNrem
Officialcopiesoftheseproceduresaremaintainedatthiswebsite.Beforeusingaprintedcopy,verifythatitis
themost currentversionby checkingthedocumentissue dateonthiswebsite. Signedcopiesoftheseofficial
proceduresaremaintainedattheTrainingOffice.