Leak Checks & Extremity Dosimetry

["Wade F. Miller Jr." <WMiller@pantex.com>]

Hi folks,

I am working on a couple of technical basis documents and wanted to ask you all about some of the current practices out there.

1)  What sort of guidance are you using for leak checks of sources?  In particular, what limits do you currently use to determine when to perform a direct or indirect leak check?  For example, do you use a certain exposure rate to determine if the technician performing the swipe should perform an indirect leak check vs. direct leak check?

2)  What sort of guidance are you using for when to use extremity dosimetry for handling sources? 

I realize that some of this is sort of obvious to answer, i.e., just take the dose limit for the hands, look at the source activity, how long do the techs handle the sources, etc.  I guess what I'm looking for are what your ACTUAL practices are and what sort of documentation, guidance, etc. you're using to justify your practices.  I realize that there are lots of reasons for doing what we do or direct others to do - everything from "he's the source tech so I always want him to wear finger rings or wrist dosimeters" to "well the guidance says this number so we just divided that by 10 to be on the safe side."  Sometimes, we actually get people to buy into a truly technical justification for our work practices :-)  Please let me know what you do whether it utilizes the former or latter type of justification.

I am also searching the RADSAFE archives, but I would appreciate all input as it will help to expedite matters on my end.

Thank-you for your time and consideration.  I welcome any and all comments.

Wade Miller
Pantex Radiation Safety Dept.
wmiller@pantex.com 
(806) 477-5943

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html