Doc. n.

HSE-PRO-13
Naoc - OKPAI POWER PLANT
FIELD HSE PROCEDURES MANUAL Rev. 0 Date 05/05/2003

RADIOACTIVE AWARENESS Page 2 of 5

INDEX

1 PURPOSE ..............................................................................................................................................3

2 REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................................3

3 RESPONSIBILITIES ..............................................................................................................................3

4 PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................................................3

4.1 General Requirements ...........................................................................................................................3

4.2 Radioactive Sources ..............................................................................................................................4

4.3 Precautions ............................................................................................................................................4

4.4 Radiation Representative .......................................................................................................................4

4.5 Storage and Handling.............................................................................................................................5

 Doc. n. HSE-PRO-13
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FIELD HSE PROCEDURES MANUAL Rev. 0 Date 05/05/2003

RADIOACTIVE AWARENESS Page 3 of 5

1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this procedure is to promote the awareness of all personnel on the site to radiation
hazards that may arise during work activities where radioactive particles or substances are used.

It further details the precautions and safe us of radioactive sources to be undertaken by Subcontract
Company’s employed by CONTRACTOR where such substances are used in the course of their
work.

2 REFERENCES

HSE-PRO-14 Work Permit System Procedure

HSE-PRO-19 Handling of Hazardous Substances
HSE-PRO-26 Job Safety Analysis.

3 RESPONSIBILITIES

The Site Manager shall be responsible for the implementation of this procedure within his sphere of
operations.

The Field HSE Supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that all personnel on the site are aware of
the potential hazards involved when radioactive materials are used on the site, and they shall ensure
that all required precautions are taken to reduce the hazards to personnel.

The Subcontract Company’s Radiation Representative who will be the person nominated to use,
monitor and control the radiation sources used, shall be responsible for ensuring the correct and safe
use of the radioactive materials in accordance with this procedure, their own Company’s procedures
and applicable legislation.

4 PROCEDURE

4.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Since there is no sensation when the body is subjected to radiation, and injurious effects are not
immediately obvious, it is important that all personnel on the site must:-

• Be aware of the hazards and the warning signs/labels displayed.

• Be aware of the location of all radioactive sources, which are used on the site.
• Never enter a controlled area (e.g. barricaded), unless so authorised to do so.
• Ensure the local safety procedures have been written by the relevant Subcontractor and displayed
with the names of the Radiation Protection Supervisor (PRS) and Radiation Protection Advisor
(RPA), and that emergency contact procedures are available.
• Strictly adhere to any specified Work Permits in place which encompass the use of radioactive
materials (see Work Permit System procedure HSE-PRO-14)
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FIELD HSE PROCEDURES MANUAL Rev. 0 Date 05/05/2003

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4.2 RADIOACTIVE SOURCES

Radioactive sources are seldom used on the site except by specific request from a Project/Client.
When they are employed, this procedure shall apply during operations involving the storage,
handling, use and transport of radioactive sources, in conjunction with the relevant legislation. In
general the sources most commonly used are for NDE and nucleonic level detectors.

4.3 PRECAUTIONS

Radiation is categorised into two groups:-

Non-ionising
Which does not cause ionisation as it passes through the body. Examples are visible, infrared and
ultraviolet light.

Ionising
Which ionises matter it passes through, and can therefore damage body tissue. Examples are alpha,
beta particles and electromagnetic radiation such as x-rays and gamma.

To comply with statutory obligations the following must be observed:-

• Written local rules shall be provided by the specialist supplying Contract Company as to the
control measures and precautions required.
• Any existing Site Client rules and procedures shall be adhered to.
• Safe storage is provided for radioactive substances, locations should be well marked.
• A Subcontract Company Competent Person is to be responsible for the control and safety of
handling of ionising sources (i.e. Radiation Representative).
• The Site Manager / Field HSE Supervisor shall liase with the Competent Person in co-ordinating
the provision of local control rules to ensure effective safety precautions are taken.
• Radiography areas, or other areas where radioactive materials are in use, shall be effectively
cordoned off to prevent access to personnel. Radiation is three dimensional, therefore areas above
and below must also be included in controlled areas.
• These areas shall be prominently signed by the black trefoil symbol on a yellow background.
The barriers, where appropriate, shall be further identified by yellow flashing lights.
• Controlled areas will be where the dose rate (instantaneous) exceeds 7.5 micro sieverts.
• Regular monitoring and leak testing shall be carried out on any sealed radioactive source.
• Storage areas shall be properly marked with warning signs.
• In the event of an emergency involving a radioactive material, the Site Manager shall be informed
immediately and emergency procedures followed as laid down in the control plans of the
specialist Subcontract Company. It should be appreciated that radiation is emitted three
dimensionally and can permeate through floors, walls etc. This factor must be taken into
consideration when formulating emergency procedures.

4.4 RADIATION REPRESENTATIVE

The Subcontract Company’s Representative (Supervisor) supplying the service involving the use of
radioactive sources shall:-

• Provide a safety handbook conforming to the National Regulations in force for the area of
operations.
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• Provide emergency procedures handbook, detailing what measures shall be taken if a radiation
hazard exists.
• Provide written advice for the Site Manager with respect to personnel evacuation, bearing in mind
that radiation is emitted three dimensionally and can permeate through floors and walls.
• Be qualified to act as the Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) and shall make himself known to
the Site Manager and Field HSE Supervisor upon arrival on the site.
• Be responsible for ensuring that all safety precautions are observed and that no personnel other
than Qualified Persons are exposed to radiation levels in excess of the maximum permitted dose
as defined in the Government regulations in force.
• Before engaging in any work involving the use of radioactive source, obtain permission from the
Site Manager / Field HSE Supervisor via the Permit to Work system (see HSE-PRO-14). He
shall inform the Field HSE Supervisor of the scope of work and when he would wish the work to
start.
• Before starting any operation involving the use of radioactive sources, ensure that the following
items of equipment are available:-
∗ Film badges for all ‘Classified Workers’ suitable for sources in use.
∗ Survey meters suitable for sources are in use.
∗ Adequate signs, barriers and warning lights for the work being carried out.
∗ Radio to enable contact with the Field HSE Supervisor to be maintained.
∗ Source recovery tools where applicable.
∗ Bags of lead shot to cover dropped source (if applicable for source type).
• Monitor all operations involving the use of radioactive substances to ensure the safety
requirements are being adhered to.
• Be responsible for supervising the movement of radioactive sources from the transport container
to the permanent storage area.
• Maintain records of all sources held on the site, and copies of relevant transport documentation.
• Measure the radiation levels in storage areas daily.
• A Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) will be appointed by the Subcontract Company and will
be available on a 24 Hr. basis to advise the RPS.

4.5 STORAGE AND HANDLING

Radioactive substances must be stored in suitable protective containers, clearly marked and should
be stored as far away from any accommodation, work areas, offices and hazardous areas as possible.

No radioactive substances shall be used or handled unless all reasonable precautions have been
made. When radioactive substances are stored on the site, the relevant location should be shown on
the hazardous areas plan.

For further details regarding handling of radioactive materials, see procedure HSE-PRO-19
‘Handling of Hazardous Substances’.