SAFETY PROCEDURE RADIOGRAPHY SAFETY PROCEDURE

SAFETY PROCEDURE RADIOGRAPHY SAFETY PROCEDURE

CONTENTS

AMENDMENT SHEET

1. SCOPE OF APPLICATION

• INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON RADIATION SAFETY

• QUALIFIED SAFETY PERSON

• RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM

• ALLOWABLE DOSAGE

• REMOTE CONTROLLED EQUIPMENT

• RADIATION WARNING SIGN BOARDS

• STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCE

• TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCE

1. EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

1. RADIATION SAFETY RECORD

1. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO RADIOGRAPHY PERSONNEL

	Emirates Industrial Laboratory	Revision: 03
PROCEDURE NO: OPN 036	Issue Date:  Jan.2004
TITLE: RADIOGRAPHY SAFETY PROCEDURE.	Page 4 of 7

1         SCOPE

1.1  This procedure covers the requirements of Radiation Safety of personnel employed by Emirates Industrial Laboratory (EIL) and non-occupational personnel in the area during the execution of works while handling the radiation equipment.

1. This procedure is intended to create safe working atmosphere and safe handling of equipment so as to avoid radiation hazard.

1. This procedure confirms to international standards & specification as specified herein.

1. The intent of this procedure is to comply with statutory requirements of International Standards on radiological protection and logical regulations.

1. Requirements for applicable codes, covered by this procedure, shall adhere to the rules and regulations of International Atomic Energy Association Standards.

2.      INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS & LOCAL RULES ON RADIATION SAFETY

• Radiation workers, covered by this procedure, shall adhere to the Local rules & regulations and International Atomic Energy Association Standards.

3.       QUALIFIED SAFETY PERSONNEL

• Safety personnel shall have successfully completed a safety-training program through seminar and/or classes for implementing the Radiological Safety.

• A qualified individual shall be designated as safety person at each job site. Designated safety personnel will assume responsibility for radiation safety. Safety personnel shall be qualified to at least ASNT Level II in Radiographic Test.

4.       RADIATION MONITORING SYSTEM

• Personnel Monitoring System

• All personnel involved in radiographic testing shall at all times wear a film badge provided by EIL during radiography work. Film badge monitoring shall be conducted by Atomic Energy Industrial Laboratory, Houston, Texas USA or any other EIL approved laboratory. Film badges shall be changed every month.

• In addition to the personnel film badges, personnel involved in radiographic testing may be provided with Pocket Dosimeter capable of measuring an absorbed dose of up to 200 mR.

	Emirates Industrial Laboratory	Revision: 03
PROCEDURE NO: OPN 036	Issue Date:  Jan.2004
TITLE: RADIOGRAPHY SAFETY PROCEDURE.	Page 5 of 7

• Pocket Dosimeter is not mandatory since they are not very much reliable in radiation monitoring.

4.2       Radiation Monitoring System

• Radiation measuring devices such as Survey Meter with a wide range from 0-1 Roentgens per hour shall be available with radiography personnel at all times.

• The Radiation Survey Meter shall be used to determine the level of radiation to establish restricted area. Depending on the measurements made with the survey meter, a restricted area will be marked. Non-occupational personnel shall not trespass the restricted area. Effective barriers will be placed to cordon off the restricted area.

• Whenever radiography is performed at public place frequented by human beings, suitable shielding will be provided to minimize radiation levels.

5.       ALLOWABLE DOSAGE

• Radiation Workers:

All personnel engaged in radiographic testing shall be monitored by monthly Film Badge Services, so as not to exceed the permissible accumulated dose of 2(N-18) rems, where N is the age of the person.

• Non-occupational Personnel:

         For non-occupational personnel and public, the maximum permissible radiation dose rate shall be not more than 0.75 mR per hour.

6.       REMOTE CONTROLLED EQUIPMENT

• Remote controlled radiography cameras or x-ray crawlers shall be used in all work conducted under the auspices of this procedure to reduce exposure doses to the radiographer and non radiation workers.

• Safety personnel shall verify proper function of the equipment at least once during a 10 hours shift.

• The radiation source (Gamma ray or x-ray) will be operated from a safe distance to minimize exposure of the operator to radiation.

• Remote control radiation projectors, which can safely contain 100 curie Ir-192 or             20 curie Co. 60 source or the x-ray crawler used by us are suitable for safe operation.

7.       RADIATION WARNING SIGN BOARDS

• Radiation warning boards in English & Arabic languages shall be displayed at the cordoned off areas.

	Emirates Industrial Laboratory	Revision: 03
PROCEDURE NO: OPN 036	Issue Date:  Jan.2004
TITLE: RADIOGRAPHY SAFETY PROCEDURE.	Page 6 of 7

• The signboard shall read “Radiation Keep Away” in English and the appropriate translation of Arabic in addition to the radiation symbol.

• Such signboards shall also be displayed near the storage room if isotope is stored at site.

• STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCE

• Isotope cameras or containers when not in use shall be stored in a remote place, with a proper shielding where unauthorized entries will be restricted.

• The radiation level around the storage area of the isotope container shall be within 0.25 mr/hr.

• The container and storage facility shall be kept under lock & key.

• When not in use the x-ray tube will be disconnected from the power source in safe custody.

9.       TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCES

• During transportation of isotopes from the laboratory to the site, adequate precautions shall be taken to avoid damage to the camera, locks and remote control unit.

• The radiation level at one meter distance from the camera shall not exceed 10mr/hr during transportation.

10      EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

1. The following emergency procedure shall be used in case of a radiation accident or suspected radiation accident.

1. Areas where excess radiation is possibly present shall be immediately cordoned off. Entry into these areas, by anyone except the radiation safety officer or his designated person shall be strictly prohibited until the radiation level is verified to be at the normal acceptance level.

1.  Verification of secure storage of the radioactive source in to the camera or other adequately shielded container shall be made. Time and location of the event shall be recorded.

1. The safety personnel shall be informed in case of any spillage or suspected spillage of radioactive material. The operator/s present at the time of the incident and any other personnel who may have been exposed shall be sent for medical examination immediately following the incident and subsequently after periods of 48 hrs and one week.

1. EQUIPMENT MOVEMENT LOG

1. Logbook shall be maintained in the laboratory, which will include information about the camera number (EIL Equipment Number), date of movement and EIL job number etc.

	Emirates Industrial Laboratory	Revision: 03
PROCEDURE NO: OPN 036	Issue Date:  Jan.2004
TITLE: RADIOGRAPHY SAFETY PROCEDURE.	Page 7 of 7

1. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO RADIOGRAPHY PERSONNEL

1. All radiography personnel shall read and understand the whole contents of this procedure and strictly follow as instructed.
   1. Radiation safety is the responsibility of each individual handling the isotope or x-ray machine used by Emirates Industrial Laboratory. This covers the individual’s safety, co workers safety, non radiation workers safety and the general public safety.
   1. It is the responsibility of each individual involved in radiation work to strictly follow the instructions given below.

1. Check the good working condition of the radioactive equipment before moving from the storage area of the laboratory or the job site.
2. Check the good working condition of the radiation survey meters. Check for the battery, validity of the calibration etc. prior to usage each time of the start of the shift.
3. Understand the job clearly, discuss with client’s representative prior to start of the job for proper execution of the radiation work.
4. Get the work permit, safety permit, job request etc. prior to start of the job.
5. Correctly cordon off the “would be radiation areas” prior to exposing the isotope.
6. Make sure that all un-authorized personnel are well away from the barricade line.
7. Place sufficient number of radiation warning boards around the barricade.
8. Always carry a good working radiation survey meter before moving the radioactive material from the storage area. Each isotope shall contain 1 such survey meter in each team.
9. Discuss the safety measures, start of the exposure, number of exposures, finish time of the last exposure with client’s representative prior to start of the job.
10. Talk to the workers around the barricade in a polite manner and answer their questions regarding radiation safety and the precautions you have taken. Politely inform them to “stay away” from the barricade from start to finish of the radiation exposure. Never start your exposure even if you get a “go ahead” from anyone, unless you are sure that no un-authorized personnel are inside your barricaded line.
11. After all exposures are done, check the safe return of the isotope into the projector and store the projector safely in the approved storage area.
12. Check the good working condition of the survey meter before placing the instrument in the storage area of the laboratory or site dark room.
13. Remove the barricade, warning boards and other radiography gears from the work site after completion of the job.
14. Never forget to wear your personnel monitoring “film badge” during the exposure. Remind your team member in case he forgets to wear the film badge.
15. Never do any un-safe radiation work, regardless of the pressure from client, your supervisors or manager; you are responsible for all the radiation work you do.
16. If in doubt about anything regarding “radiation safety”, please contact the radiation safety officer of Emirates Industrial Laboratory.