[ RadSafe ] on-site versus vendor provided dosimetry

Sewell, Linda LMS1 at pge.com
Thu Aug 17 16:21:03 CDT 2017


All,

At Diablo Canyon we outsourced our TLD program beginning 1/1/2014.  The decision for us was fairly simple and not a typical reason why other utilities may outsource.  We had been continually processing Panasonic TLDs since the 1984 time frame and we were at the point where we needed to make a substantial investment in new TLDs.  The cost was prohibitive.  We had been reviewing outsourcing for several years but this issue made the cost-benefit ratios straightforward.  We did not directly downsize as a result of the outsourcing as the two FTEs involved assumed other roles at Diablo Canyon.  

Linda


Linda M. Sewell, CHP
Principal Health Physicist
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Diablo Canyon Power Plant
MS 119/1/117
PO Box 56
Avila Beach, CA 93424 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
P: 805.545.4315 | F: 805.545.2618| lms1 at pge.com




-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Sander Perle
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 7:12 AM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] on-site versus vendor provided dosimetry

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James,



I suggest contacting some of the utilities that outsourced more recently, such as Diablo Canyon (during the past several years). Their assessment would be more current. One more factor I did not include in my list is the staff reduction, and dosimetry is always one of the first to be hit.



Regards,



Sandy

Retired, Consultant



From: <radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu> on behalf of Sander Perle <sandyfl at cox.net>
Reply-To: "The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Date: Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 7:07 AM
To: "The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] on-site versus vendor provided dosimetry



Hello James,





While I can’t provide you with current cost comparisons, I did this back in the late 70’s and 80’s, I ran an in-house dosimetry program while at Florida Power and Light Company, 1976-96 and from there went to a commercial dosimetry processor. You are correct, there are only a few NPPs currently performing their own in-house processing, typically where the utility has multiple sites and can establish a central processing location, otherwise, the cost becomes prohibitive for setting up a processing facility at each site. Almost all sites outsource their dosimetry. These are the costs that have to be considered that in the end, makes for more economical reasons for outsourcing:



Processing equipment for redundancy

Back-up facility in the event of a catastrophic loss of the facility

Calibration sources

Databases and software for running personnel information, dosimeter assignment, quality assurance record keeping requirements, retention of data, coordination of all the data into the individual’s dose history

Establishing an algorithm for each dosimeter type, i.e., whole body, extremity, neutron, etc.

Dosimeter inventory for exchange and backup in the facility for replacement of lost, damaged or new staff

The qualified staff, including the positions to meet NVLAP and other regulatory requirements

The cost of NVLAP itself

Independent assessment of dose, sometimes eliminates the “perceived” conflict between site produced dose versus a 3rd party

Inter-comparison testing with another facility, required

Internal and other external audits



The above are just examples of what must be considered.





Regards,





Sandy



Retired, Consultant





From: <radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu> on behalf of "Tracy, James W. (Fed)" <james.tracy at nist.gov>

Reply-To: "The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>

Date: Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 6:23 AM

To: "radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>

Subject: [ RadSafe ] on-site versus vendor provided dosimetry





Hello,





Does anyone have any cost comparisons for processing dosimetry on-site versus obtaining vendor provided services?  I'm trying to see what the typical threshold is (e.g < 5,000 dosimeters per year) for when companies switch to vendor provided dosimetry.  I realize there are other factors involved in the decision but I'm just trying to get a general idea.





Do most nuclear utilities obtain vendor provided services?  I viewed the list of accredited NVLAP processors from the NVLAP website and there were only 4 utilities listed (I thought there would be more).





James Tracy



NIST



100 Bureau Drive



Building 235 Room A109



Gaithersburg, MD 20899



Phone: 301-975-5810



email: james.tracy at nist.gov





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