PCM-1B Sole Release Procedure

[Glenn_D_Williams@RL.gov]

     To whom it may concern:
     
     I am a senior health physics technician at a D.O.E. facility in 
     Washington State.  We are currently implementing a program using a 
     Eberline Personnel contamination monitor (PCM-1b) as a sole and final 
     release survey when exiting a contamination area.  I would like to ask 
     you for some comments, but first let me give you some background on 
     what we have here.
     
     We store highly radioactive waste in 177 underground storage tanks in 
     areas known as farms.  These farms are fenced areas and have loose 
     contamination on the ground and equipment up to 100,000 dpm/100cm2.  
     Areas exceeding the 100K level are posted High contamination areas. 
     We routinely perform entries into pits and install video cameras into 
     these underground storage tanks.  Other work performed weekly are such 
     things as pumping the radioactive liquids from the old leaking single 
     shell tanks to the newer double shell tanks as well as other intrusive 
     work.
     
     We have a "change"  trailer at the entrance to each farm.  This is the 
     location that the worker dresses into Anti-contamination clothing (pc's) 
     and enters and exits the farm.  The change trailer contains a PCM-1b.  
     About half the trailer is posted and controlled as a Radiological Buffer 
     Area (RBA).  The area posted as a RBA is considered to be a clean area.  
     The PCM-1b is located inside the RBA about 10 to 15 feet from the step 
     off pad coming out of the Contamination Area.  Workers exiting the 
     contamination area and those entering will be using the same change 
     area.  There are no personnel assigned as a control point at any exit.
     
     Now my question:
     
     How would your facility handle personnel exiting the contamination 
     area?  Would you require a hand and foot survey before stepping into 
     the RBA?  Would you simply undress out of your Anti-C's and then 
     continue through the RBA to the PCM-1b without any type of survey?  Do 
     you do a full self survey before moving on to the PCM-1b?  Or how would 
     you handle this?
     
     I would appreciate any help or comments you may have.  Please feel 
     free to E-Mail me or call me at (509)373-2731.
     
     Thank You,
     
     Glenn Williams
     Senior Health Physics Technician