Re: ALARA or Not? -Reply -Reply

[Lonny Eckert <LLE@nrc.gov>]

At 04:40 PM 4/30/97 -0500, you wrote:
>>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.
>
>I've been out of nuclear power and in the DOE world for a few years now.
>My last experience in the NRC-regulated world was that factoring in IH
>issues such as the potential for heat stress, falling, and such was
>prohibited.  However, if that is different now, I am pleased. But aren't
>such evaluations awfully difficult to justify/defend, especially if the worker
>doesn't want to give up the respirator?

Bob,

You ask an excellent question in the last sentence of your reply.  There is
no clean answer to your question because there are many variables which
would go into making a decision on whether a licensee was in compliance
or not.  For example, some states require an employer to provide a worker
a respirator upon request.  Q&A 386 deals with this question.  The ALARA
statements of consideration and other Q&As (from NUREG/CR-6204)
would play into any position taken by the inspector and NRC HQ staff
depending on the specific circumstances.  Keep in mind that that the
ALARA rule is a rule to establish an ALARA ***program*** (I would refer
you to Statements of Consideration).



Regards,
Lonny Eckert
lle@nrc.gov
-standard disclaimers-