OCCUPATIONAL DOSE QUESTIONS

[<cgj@nrc.gov> (Cynthia G. Jones )]

Once again, I would advise that if any of the RADSAFERs 
have questions about what consitutes an "occupational" 
versus a "member of the public" dose, that you call 
the NRC regional materials licensing or inspection 
sections to get an answer to your questions (if you 
are in an Agreement State, contact your radiological 
control program office). 

Currently, all doses received by all indivdiuals in 
restricted areas are occupational doses (per 20.1003). 
In determining whether an individual in a controlled
area is to be categorized as an individual who receives 
an occupational dose or as a member of the general 
public, the more difficult decision concerns 
individuals whose assigned duties are not closely 
connected to the licensed activity (such as delivery 
people, hospital volunteers and sometimes nurses).  
Usually, such indivdiuals are conidered members of 
the public and the doses they receive are well within 
the 100 mrem limit.  However, if the assigned duties 
are closely or frequently connected to the licensed 
activity, and their doses may exceed or approach the 
100 mrem limit, then the doses such individuals 
receive are better treated as occupational doses.

All of us (including the regulators) can speculate all 
we want, but if you really want to be sure, present the 
scenario to your local State or Federal regulators & get 
an answer from them.

As for Les Slaback's earlier reference to an NRC 
proposed rule on controlled area, revised definition of
occupational dose, etc., my understanding is that it 
will be out soon, hopefully this summer.

***These views are not to be construed as the official 
NRC position.***  Hope this helps!^5^8^

Cynthia Jones,  
Division of Industrial & Medical Nuclear Safety, NRC