SAUDI PIONEERS FOR SPECIALIZED

SERVICES (SPSS)

NORM Safety Awareness

Represent by
Musfiqur Rahman
X-ray , Gamma Ray & NORM
X-rays and gamma rays differ only in their
source of origin. Both are man made.

NORM means Naturally occurring Radioactive

material. (NORM) are commonly concentrated
throughout the earth’s crust and within the
reservoirs where oil and gas and related industry.
ELEMENTS
Th and U are unstable or radioactive by nature,
include Uranium and Thorium and their daughter
products Radium and Radon which give rise to
natural background radiation.
Origins of NORM
 Origins of NORM

During the production, treatment and related

process, NORM flows with the oil, gas and water
mixture and accumulates in scale, sludge and
scrapings. It can also form a thin film on the
interior surfaces of gas processing equipment and
vessels. The level of NORM accumulation can
vary substantially from one facility to another
depending on geological formation, operational
and other factors.
NORM
 α-Particles :
α-particles will only travel about 2 cm in air and
only about 10 μm or less in solid material like
human tissue. They can easily be shielded with a
piece of paper, gloves, disposable coverall or the
dead outer layer of your skin. The primary health
concern is inhalation and ingestion of α-particles
into the body which places them in direct contact
with essential layers of living tissue
 β-particles:

β-particles may travel up to about 1 m in air and the

maximum range for 500 keV,β-particles in tissue is
about 1 mm. They can be effectively shielded with a
thin piece of aluminums, steel or plastic.
(Gamma )ϒ - Photons
 Gamma-rays - A nucleus which is in an excited
state may emit one or more photons (packets of
electromagnetic radiation) of discrete energies.
The emission of gamma rays does not alter the
number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus but
instead has the effect of moving the nucleus
from a higher to a lower energy state (unstable
to stable). Gamma ray emission frequently
follows beta decay, alpha decay, and other
nuclear decay processes.
Earths Inner Core
Alpha, Beta and Gamma Penetrating
Power
NORM Effecting
NORM Survey
P.P.E
TLD Badges
Electronic Pocket Dosimeter
Well Head
Open wellhead
G.M. Saperator
Radiation Dose Calculation

D = D˳ x Time

Where:
D˳ = Rate at which Dose is received
T = Time
D = Dose
Maximum permissible Dose
Dose Limits
Controlling Exposure

Time, Distance, Shielding

 ALARA
Radiation dose may come from the primary
radiation or scatter radiation. In this section we will
discuss way to protect yourself from both.
 Inverse Square Law
DOUBLE THE DISTANCE
Radiation Reduced to ¼.
 Shielding
Another way to reduce the dose received is to
place something to absorb the radiation between
you and the source. Material Placed between you
and the source to reduce radiation dose is called
shielding.
Effects of Radiation Dose
Somatic Effects

This is the biological effects that occur on the

exposed individuals.
They may develop years after the exposure to
radiation.
*Cancer.
*Inability of the affected area or organ to repair its self.
*Life shortening
*Cataracts
Long Range Effects
Are not very well known
• Can not be predicted
• May cause cancer
• Are different depending on what kind of
radiation cause the exposure

Best protection is to keep your dose

Genetic Effects
Effects that may be transmitted to future generation.

When genetic cells are irradiated, the chromosomes

or DNA of the cells may be affected which may lead
to genetic mutations, chromosome aberrations or
changes in the number of chromosomes in the cells.
As a result, the probability of genetic changes will
increase, bringing detrimental effects to the
descendants of the exposed persons.
Controlled Area
* An area to which access is controlled for the purpose of radiation
protection.

* No one in the area allowed unless told about the presence of ration
and how to avoid exposure.

* Marked off with ropes and signs.

* If some one approaches the controlled area, tell them that

radiography is in progress and that they should keep away.

* Radiation level at boundary shall not exceed 7.5µSv/hr

(0.75mR/hr)
Supervised (observed) Area

An area where access is not restricted.

* The maximum dose allowed to any one in any

area where access is not restricted is 2.5 µSv in
any one hour.
Radiation Area Sign
High Radiation Area
An area where the dose to some could exceed
100mR in less than an hour.
* Must be posed with “Caution High Radiation
Area” sign.
Post Signs
• Designed to warn others that radiation is
present.
• Post in accordance with the procedure
• Ropes and tape are used with the signs to keep
people out.
• Radiation Sign Board minimum of 4 free-
standing sign posted at the controlled area
boundary. Sign shall have minimum height of
1 meter.
NORM Detection

Survey baseline to know background level of

radiation dose rate. Double of background counts
as Contaminated by NORM.
 Survey Meter

RDS 30 Survey Meter

Transport Index Label
Thank You!