RE: Definition of Clothing Contamination

["Harmon, Terry O'Devah (ONF) " <onf@bechteljacobs.org>]

	[Harmon, Terry O'Devah (ONF) ]  When I was at the Nevada Test
Site(DOE), we began issuing disposable modesty garments (scrubs) for use
under antic's in 1991.  These were considered protective clothing, and if
they became contaminated, they were disposed of and a new set issued.  We
did not have to report this as a contamination incident.  Our reportable
clothing contamination incidents were reduced to nearly 0 (there were a few
people who did not wear the scrubs, but they were under a different RADCON
organization).  Also, water resistant sleeve covers were issued when doing
wet work.  This helped to reduce the number of personnel contamination
incidents.
Terry Harmon, RRPT
SR. HP Tech
Kelly Scientific Resources
Phone: (423) 241-0281
Pager: (423) 417-1592
Email: harmonto@ornl.gov


> Things are changing in the nuclear industry since fine folks like you and
> Mr. Bauman were there.  
> 
> It is now becoming routine to specify that rad workers wear scrubs into
> contaminated areas instead of the usual PCs for low risk activities.  This
> way if the worker inadvertently gets contamination on his scrubs, it is
> not
> a personal contamination event.  The scrubs now serve as personal clothing
> and protective clothing as specified by a radiation work permit.  The
> worker
> deconned and is given a new set of scrubs to be used as personal clothes
> as
> they leave the radiologically posted area.  
> 
> This process drops the number of reportable personnel contamination events
> significantly.  I'm not sure where this practice got started in the
> industry, but others are almost being forced into this direction to ensure
> their metrics look as good as others in the industry.
> 
> sincerely,
> Glen
> Nuclear Power HP
> glen.vickers@ucm.com
> 
> 
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