Re[2]: ALARA or Not? -Reply

[Peter.Darnell%EM@em.doe.gov]

Message authorized by:
    : LLE@nrc.gov_at_INTERNET at X400PO
     
     I think that we can not afford to discount the total risk to the 
     worker when we assign radiological protective measures.  The NRC 
     suggests that we should take into account worker efficiency, TEDE, 
     occupation and industrial hygiene safety, the workplace culture, and 
     socioeconomic factors during the ALARA process. In fact, the DOE is 
     starting to address these factors when designing a comprehensive 
     radiation protection programs. 
     
     To ignore physiological stresses and occupational hazards opens the 
     health physics professional to criticism.  In today's work 
     environment, health physicists need to use a total "safety" approach. 
     We can be just as wrong for causing a heat stress injury as we can be 
     wrong for allowing unnecessary exposures.
     
     These are but my humble opinions and do not represent those of my 
     employer.
     
     Pete Darnell
     Health Physicist
     US DOE - Fernald
     513-648-3182
     peter.darnell@fernald.gov


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Subject: Re: ALARA or Not? -Reply
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu_at_INTERNET at X400PO
Date:    4/30/97 5:41 PM


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X-Comment:  Radiation Safety Distribution List
     
B. Flood wrote:
<In addition to Sandy's comments about the "cultural" change this 
<regulation brought for experienced HPs, there has also been the matter 
<of assessing the value of wearing a respirator to protect a wearer from 
<small potential internal exposures against the impact on non-radiological 
<hazards such as vision restrictions when climbing, heat stress (ever 
<worn a respirator inside containment right after shutdown?), etc. 
<Unfortunately, we regulate radiation separately in the US, so including 
<these factors in the decision is not allowed. Is this a great country or 
<what?
     
Overall risk assessments are *not* allowed?   Please review the Health 
Physics position papers.  I believe there are specific positions in regards 
to this matter.   Unfortunately I do not have mine handy with me and
won't be back in the office for a couple of weeks.
     
     
Regards,
Lonny Eckert
LLE@NRC.GOV
-standard disclaimers-