Re[2]: Personnel Dosimetry Records -Reply

[BRZGV@ccmail.ceco.com]

     I understand the concern about privacy, but I work in a unique 
     environment.  I work in a union/management environment at a nuclear 
     power plant.  I think we probably post dose numbers in each department 
     so that each union worker can ensure that they are not being unfairly 
     treated by their management oppressors implementing the dose 
     equalization program.  This sounds kinda silly but it is pretty much 
     true.
     
     There is probably some agreement between the union and management 
     about privacy behind the scenes, but I'm not aware of any specifics.
     
     It would certainly be the correct thing to have some sort of agreement 
     with your personnel about posting in a common work area.
     
     All in all, I think posting exposure totals does give each person a 
     better feel for their exposure and results in an overall benefit for 
     the group.  Offer a free lunch to the person with the lowest monthly 
     exposure?  Some plants give out "ALARA bucks" which can be redeemed 
     for prizes for those with low exposures.  
     
     Talk with other power plant personnel who may have a better feel for 
     the behind-the-scenes legal stuff.  I'm not sure how to say it best, 
     but there are definite benefits to being somewhat open about exposures 
     received.
     
     
     
     Good luck,
     Glen vickers


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Personnel Dosimetry Records -Reply
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at INTERNET
Date:    7/10/96 11:07 AM


Don't necessarily agree with BRZGV.  True, the supervisor should know 
what his/her teams' exposure is, lifetime and YTD.  And the individual 
should definitely know what his/her exposure is; however, comparing 
exposures does little  to benefit the group/individual re: radiation
exposure control.  Re: collective doses, sure.  This definitely comes into 
play when you are deriving ALARA goals.  If the individual wishes to 
divulge this information, so be it.  But individual exposures should not be 
posted, just the collective groups.
     
DHARRISON@DOE.LANL.GOV
     
>>> <BRZGV@ccmail.ceco.com> 07/10/96 07:09am >>>
     Supervisors must know how much dose their personnel are
accumulating.  
     How might they use "dose-equalization" principles or look at trends or 
     comparisons between workers to ensure that everyone is performing
work 
     in a manner that is consistent with ALARA principles?
     
     I would think that the name, monthly, and yearly total posted in the 
     group breakroom would be reasonable.  This allows workers to
compare 
     themselves against one another and possibly question their own 
     exposure.
     
     You need to find the balance between the needs of the individual and 
     the needs of the group.
     
     Glen Vickers
     Nuclear Power HP
     
     
______________________________ Reply Separator 
_________________________________
Subject: Personnel Dosimetry Records
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at INTERNET 
Date:    7/9/96 2:13 PM
     
     
Recently a question of confidentiality of personnel dosimetry records has
 been brought up.  The question is, if monthly film badge exposures are 
posted in a department, what, if any, information on the report from the 
badge vendor should not be posted?  information such as SSN and DOB
are  assumed not to be posted.  The main question is, each person has a
 participant number, so should the name also be excluded so the
exposure  is theoretically known only to the participant?  What right do 
supervisors and managers have to know the exposures of the people
they  supervise?  Do occupational radiation exposure records come
under the  federal Privacy Act?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.
      Bob Yoss
Radiation Safety Coordinator
Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital  9200 
W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226
Office 414-257-5381
FAX    414-259-7889