Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Material
Awareness Training Course
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Course Administration
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Emergency procedures
Facilities:
first aid, prayers, refreshments, toilet
Documentation;
course roster, HSE passport
Restrictions:
smoking, telephones and pagers
Introduction:
name, company, position and expectations of the course
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Course Aims
 Aims of the course are to provide knowledge
and understanding of NORM:
 basic radiation theory
 where NORM can be found
 personal hygiene and health risks
 exposure control measures
 risk control measures and PPE
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Course Objectives
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On completion of the course attendees will be able to:
explain basic NORM theory
describe where NORM can be found
explain personal hygiene, health, environment and
reputation risks
 describe measures to counter NORM risks
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Radiation Sources in E&P
Radiation
sources
Industrial
radiography
Installed
gauges
Portable
gauging
equipment
Well
logging
Radio
tracers
NORM
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NORM
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials
as opposed to man-made sources
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Radiation
Radiation emitted by NORM
 Alpha particles (α)
 Beta particles (β)
 Gamma rays (y)
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Penetration
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
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Closed equipment
 Closed equipment:
 Gamma rays penetrate
steel and are measured
where scale accumulates.
 Alpha/Beta particles
cannot penetrate steel.
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Open equipment
 Scale may become
dislodged and be inhaled
when opening NORM
contaminated equipment.
 Ingested if poor hygiene.
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Health Risks
Health risks arise if you:
• Inhale contaminated scales
• Ingest contaminated sludge
or debris
• Absorb contaminated
material through open cuts
or wounds
Alpha & Beta particles have sufficient energy to
damage cells and may lead to lung or bone cancer
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Where to Find NORM
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Fixed scales – e.g. pipes, pumps, tubulars
Sludge / Sands – tanks & separators
Waste – Pigging debris
Salts – Evaporation ponds, water leaks
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Hard Scales:
1. ESP
2. Valve
3. Tubulars
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Sludge stored in pits
Sludge mixed with sand
and land farmed
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Evaporation Pond
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Separator outlet
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Leaks
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Job Types at Risk
 Job types:
 production operators
 maintenance personnel
 tank & separator cleaning crews
 hoist/rig workover crews
 pigging crews
 sludge farm operators
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H.E.M.P.
Supervisors responsibility
• Identify potential NORM Jobs
• Control exposures
• Monitor and review controls
• Record keeping
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Identifying NORM
• Look for NORM signs on equipment
• Check PDO NORM maps
• If in doubt - Ask Production Operators
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PDO Policy
• As a rule any equipment which has
conveyed or stored production fluids
should be treated as NORM contaminated
until proven otherwise by monitoring
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Controls
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Follow procedures
plan the job
organise PPE, plastic & containers
set up supervised area
conduct tool box talk
prevent scale from becoming airborne
prevent inhalation of scale – wear PPE
dress cuts and abrasions
contain debris in one area
encapsulate equipment at open ends
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NORM Specification
 SP 1170 Management of NORM
 defines roles and responsibilities:
PPE: monitoring, reporting and
exposure limits; transportation
and disposal of NORM
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NORM Guidelines
NORM procedures for specific tasks: e.g.
• Tank or separator cleaning
• Pigging
• Transporting
• Sampling
• Well workovers
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NORM PPE
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Appropriate PPE:
one piece clothing
impermeable rubber gloves
steel toecap boots
face piece respirator
eye protection safety goggles or glasses
clean and monitor after use
dispose of contaminated PPE safely
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NORM PPE
P3 Half-face respirator
One piece slicker or Tyvek
disposable suit
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Personal Hygiene
 When working with NORM:
 do not eat, drink or smoke
 do not apply barrier creams or lip
balm
 clean and dress cuts and abrasions
 after contact with NORM wash
hands and face before eating,
drinking or smoking
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NORM Training
 NORM training:
 Awareness training for ALL personnel routinely or
frequently working on NORM sites
 Supervisor training for ALL personnel responsible
for issue of permits to work or supervise workers
exposed to NORM
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Summary
 Summary:
 Treat equipment that conveys production fluids
as NORM contaminated until monitored
 Use maps and surveys to identify NORM areas
 Follow the NORM Specification 1170
 Implement the NORM Guidelines into work
procedures
 Wear your designated PPE
 Maintain good personal hygiene
 Keep records
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