Improved Access to DOE Radiation Exposure Information

[Stuart.Altman@dp.doe.gov]

               IMPROVED ACCESS TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 
                      RADIATION EXPOSURE INFORMATION
     
     The Office of Worker Protection and Hazards Management (EH-52), 
     Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety and Health (EH), 
     administers the management of radiation exposure records for all 
     Department of Energy (DOE) employees and contractor personnel in 
     accordance with DOE Order 231.1 (formerly DOE Order 5484.1).  As 
     of October 28, 1996, the responsibility for managing occupational 
     radiation exposure records will be centralized at a new location 
     with a redesigned Radiation Exposure Monitoring System (REMS) 
     data base to take advantage of newer data base technology and 
     provide improved access to radiation exposure information for 
     researchers and the general public.
     
     The improved methods of dissemination include:
     
     1.  A newly published Annual Report of Occupational Radiation
         Exposure Information; 
     2.  A new Internet World Wide Web site that includes a basic
         query facility for obtaining summarized exposure data; and 
     3.  Technical Information Services (TIS) Data Analysis Services
         to provide assistance.
     
     The DOE Annual Occupational Radiation Exposure Report, 1992-1994, 
     has been reengineered as the result of a significant cooperative 
     effort between the field and EH staff to meet user needs.  The 
     report is intended to be a valuable tool for the management of 
     radiological safety programs and commitment of resources.  The 
     process of data collection, analysis, and report generation is 
     being streamlined to give managers a current assessment of 
     radiation protection and safety at DOE.  The new annual report is 
     a full-color, graphics-rich document that analyzes radiation 
     exposure information from the perspective of the worker and the 
     DOE sites.  The report includes an analysis of how the dose is 
     distributed among the workforce with particular attention to the 
     workers in the higher dose ranges.  New sections have been added 
     to examine changes in requirements, the impact of DOE's change in 
     mission and facility operational status on occupational exposure 
     over the years, and a discussion of recent successful As Low As 
     Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) activities.  To request a bound 
     copy of the annual report, contact the EH InfoCenter on 
     1-800-473-4375.
     
     Starting October 28, the REMS web page will include the full 
     online version of the annual report for viewing, downloading, or 
     printing.  This page will be the focal point for up-to-date 
     information on the recording and reporting of DOE occupational 
     radiation exposure.  It also will include a query feature for 
     viewing summarizations based on user selection of the radiation 
     exposure data collected from the DOE sites.  Reference documents 
     and guidance will also be provided along with links to other web 
     sites of interest.  The web site address is:
     
     http://www.eh.doe.gov/wpphm/
     
     Check the "What's New at this Site" link on the REMS web page for 
     announcements concerning all aspects of DOE occupational 
     radiation exposure information.
     
     The use of the annual report, either in hard copy form or through 
     the web page, combined with the new query feature for viewing 
     summarized exposure data, will provide a relatively comprehensive 
     set of information to satisfy most users.  If more detailed 
     information is required, starting October 28, 1996, analysts may 
     contact the ES&H HelpLine at 1-800-473-4375 to obtain assistance 
     from the TIS Data Analysis Services.