RADIATION
WORK
PERMITS
HPT 001.107
TERMINAL OBJECTIVE

Upon completion of this course, the
participants will demonstrate their
knowledge and understanding of the
information presented during RADCON
Technician training by obtaining a score
equal to or greater than 80% on a written
examination. The information presented in
this lesson plan may be part of an overall
exam or be the only information for which
the student is examined. (OH-2)
ENABLING OBJECTIVES

Define the terms listed in the definitions section
of this lesson plan.

Identify the procedures used to control work in
radiologically controlled areas and prepare and
administer Radiation Work Permits (RWP).

State the measures used to control work in
radiologically controlled areas.
ENABLING OBJECTIVES

Determine the criteria requiring the use of a
RWP.

Determine when the requirements for a RWP
may be waived.

State the requirements for compliance with a
RWP
ENABLING OBJECTIVES

Determine the responsibility requirements for
individuals entering the RCA to work on a
RWP.

State the types of RWPs.

State the different levels of status of a RWP.
ENABLING OBJECTIVES

Discuss the preparation, issuance and approval
requirements of a RWP.

Discuss the steps to be taken when a RWP is revised.

Determine the administrative requirements for the use
of a RWP, the training requirements for RWP use,
RADCON verbal authority during job coverage while
using a RWP, and the steps taken during when RWP
approval requirements are waived.
ENABLING OBJECTIVES

State the actions necessary when a RWP
is terminated.

Discuss the necessary steps to take when
the RADCON Computer Systems is not
available for RWP entry and exit
documentation.
Introduction

In this lesson you will learn the
requirements for Radiation Work Permits
(RWPs) and the administrative processes
for requesting, obtaining and using them.
These permits establish the radiological
controls and precautions to be followed
while performing authorized work in
radiologically controlled areas (RCA).
Introduction

RWPs are administered via the RADCON
Computer System. The specific methods
for implementing the various elements of
the permit are contained in the system
user’s guide and site implementing
procedures.
DEFINITIONS

Airborne Radioactivity Area – A room, enclosure
or area in which airborne radioactive materials,
composed wholly or partly of licensed material,
exist in concentrations – (1) in excess of the
derived air concentrations specified in Appendix B
of 10CFR20, or (2) to such a degree that an
individual present in the area without respiratory
protective equipment could exceed, during the
hours an individual is present in a week, an intake
of 0.6 percent of the annual limit of intake or 12
DAC hours.
DEFINITIONS

ALARA Preplanning Report (APR) - Documents
evaluations of the radiological conditions and
potential radiological hazards associated with a
job, establishes man-hour and exposure estimates,
and provides precautions, recommendations and
requirements to assure exposures will be ALARA.

Annual Limit of Intake (ALI) – The derived limit
for the amount of radioactive materials taken into
the body of an adult worker by inhalation or
ingestion in a year.
DEFINITIONS

Bioassay Area – Any airborne radioactivity area and any
other area where unencapsulated radioactive material is
present in a form and quantity such that the area has
significant potential for becoming an airborne radioactivity
area. Entry into bioassay areas is governed by RWPs.

Contaminated Area – A radiologically controlled area in
which uncontained, removable radioactive material
(contamination) is present in excess of the levels specified
in SPP-5.1.
DEFINITIONS

Derived Air Concentration (DAC) – The concentration of a
given radionuclide in air which, if breathed by the
reference man for a working year of 2000 hours under
conditions of light work (inhalation rate of 1.2 cubic meters
of air per hour), results in an intake of one ALI. For modes
of intake other than inhalation, an equivalent DAC-hr shall
be determined and included as DAC-hrs in the individual’s
dose tracking record. The equivalent DAC-hr is equal to
the number of hours of exposure at the DAC (i.e., DAC-hrs
exposure which would result in an equivalent intake of
radioactive material as has been observed in a particular
exposure incident). This permits the comparison of intake
by inhalation with other modes of intake (ingestion,
injection, absorption, etc.). 2000 DAC-hr is equal to one
ALI.
DEFINITIONS

High Radiation Area – An area, accessible to individuals, in
which radiation levels from radiation sources external to
the body could result in an individual receiving a dose
equivalent in excess of 100 millirem in 1 hour at 30
centimeters from the radiation source or 30 centimeters
from any surface that the radiation penetrates.

Individual Monitoring Devices (individual monitoring
equipment) – Means devices designed to be worn by a
single individual for the assessment of dose equivalent such
as film badges, thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs),
pocket ionization chambers and personal (lapel) air
sampling devices.
DEFINITIONS

Protective Clothing – Clothing such as coveralls,
gloves, shoe covers, etc., used to prevent personnel
contamination.

RADCON Computer System – A computerized
radiological data management and control system
which includes radiation work permits, surveys
and control of access to the radiologically
controlled area.
DEFINITIONS

RADCON Coverage – Normally defined as the
actual presence of RADCON at the job location.
Coverage can be continuous, intermittent or none
depending upon the radiological requirements of
the job. In some special cases, RADCON coverage
may be provided with remote surveillance and
monitoring equipment.

Radiation Work Permit (RWP) – A document for
controlling the radiological aspects of work.
DEFINITIONS

Radiologically Controlled Area (RCA) – An area
within (or that may coincide with) the Restricted
Area (defined in 10CFR20.1003) boundaries that
may have increasing radiological hazards.

Removable Contamination – Contamination which
may be easily transferred to personnel or surfaces
through casual contact.
DEFINITIONS

Total Effective Dose Equivalent (TEDE) – The sum
of the deep dose equivalent (for external
exposures) and the committed effective dose
equivalent (for internal exposures).

Very High Radiation Area – An area, accessible to
individuals, in which radiation levels from
radiation sources external to the body could result
in an individual receiving an absorbed dose in
excess of 500 rads in 1 hour at 1 meter from any
source that the radiation penetrates.
Procedures

TVAN RCDP-3 Administration of Radiation
Work Permits

TVAN SPP-5.1 Radiological Controls

BFN RCI-9.1 Radiation Work Permit Preparation
and Administration

SQN RCI-14 Radiological Work Permit Program

WBN RCI-100 Control of Radiological Work
Control of Work in the RCA

RWP system documents conditions and prescribe
appropriate protective requirements for work in
radiologically controlled areas.

Site RADCON establishes entry requirements.

Work area is surveyed before the start of work and/or as
appropriate during work.

Protective clothing and equipment, individual monitoring
devices and work limitation requirements are specified
for all workers entering the area.
RWP Criteria

RWPs may be required for work in
radiologically controlled areas.

RWPs shall be required for areas that meet or
exceed the following:
• Work assignments where it is anticipated employees
may receive a deep dose equivalent > 50 mrem in any
regular workday or when extremity monitoring is
required.
• Entering a High Radiation Area or Very High
Radiation Area.
• Entering a Contaminated Area.
RWP Criteria

RWPs shall be required for areas that meet or
exceed the following:
• Entering an Airborne Radioactivity Area.
• Breaching a contaminated system or component.
• RADCON discretion to provide adequate radiological
control.
• For radiographic examination conducted at licensed
nuclear facilities.
Waived Requirements for RWPs

RWP requirements may be waived during
a declared emergency. Control shall be in
accordance with TVAN RCDP-3.
RWP Compliance

Each worker shall be responsible for
awareness and compliance with the
requirements of a RWP and for meeting
the prerequisites for RWP entry.
Requirements for a RWP

Entries into plant RCAs including RCAs outside
the plant (e.g., radwaste yard, stack, etc.) may
require the use of a RWP at RADCONs
discretion.

All workers shall check with RADCON prior to
starting any work in any RCA. It is the
responsibility of the individual controlling the
work (i.e., foreman, supervisor, etc.) to assure
this requirement is met.
Types of RWPs

1. General RWPs – RWPs written for routine
work evolutions that contain no special
requirements.

Specific RWPs- RWPs written for job specific
work evolutions in which special requirements or
precautions are specified.

NOTE: Site specific restrictions apply to the
definitions of the types of RWPs.
Requesting a RWP
A task leader (e.g., engineer, job supervisor,
planner, etc.) should request a RWP by completing
a RWP request.
Sufficient detail must be included to provide
RADCON with the information necessary to
evaluate the hazards associated with the job.
NOTE: RWP requests are not normally required
for General RWPs.
Status of RWPs




Pre-Active – The RWP is in the process of being
written or approved.
Active – The RWP has been approved and access
to a RCA may be attained through the RWP.
Suspended – Access to a RCA is prevented under
this RWP although the RWP may be re-activated.
Terminated – The RWP may never be used again
for entry into the RCA.
Preparation, Issuance and Approval of RWPs




All RWPs will be prepared by ANSI qualified RADCON
personnel.
RADCON provides dose rates and man-rem estimates
based on survey information and the anticipated duration
of the job.
Protective requirements will be determined using survey
information. If current survey information is not
available, historical data may be used.
A TEDE evaluation, in accordance with SPP-5.10, is
required when an activity may require the use of
respiratory protection.
Revising RWPs

May be required when radiological conditions or job
scope changes, which increases or decreases protective
requirements.

If radiological conditions have increased, the RWP may
require more levels of approval, an APR or a revised
APR. Approval of revised RWPs requires the original or
previous revision to be terminated.

Personnel must be rebriefed on requirements and
radiological conditions of the area. As a minimum, they
must be informed of changes and provided with a brief
explanation of the change.
Use of RWPs

RADCON will control the use of RWPs by
maintaining a RWP briefing list via the
RADCON computer system.

Anyone who signs in on an RWP must
review and understand the requirements of
the RWP before using it.
Use of RWPs

Individuals who use RWPs must receive a
briefing. During the briefing, they must be given
the opportunity to ask questions concerning
anything they don’t understand. The frequency
of briefings shall be determined by the job scope
and radiological hazards.
In addition, the briefing should contain a
thorough explanation of the scope of the job,
radiological conditions, contingency plans, hold
points, stop work authority of RADCON and, if
applicable, ALARA preplanning requirements.
Use of RWPs

By signing or electronically entering the RWP via
the RADCON computer system, they are
demonstrating:
•they have been briefed.
•they have had an opportunity to ask any questions, as
needed.
•they understand the RWP requirements.
•they will comply with the RWP requirements, as well as
any verbal instructions given by RADCON.
Use of RWPs

Workers must ensure they are using the correct RWP for
the work to be performed.

Individuals must have Radiation Worker Training and a
current whole body count (for entries into bioassay
areas), to use a RWP.

RADCON may require additional protective
requirements for certain aspects of a work activity
without revising the RWP. RADCON supervision may
also authorize short-term deviations without revising the
RWP which will be documented in the RADCON
Computer System RWP logbook.

RADCON may terminate the use of a RWP due to safety
concerns, housekeeping, or changes in radiological
conditions or job scope.
Use of RWPs

The use of HIS-20 to log RWP entries and exits may be
suspended during emergency conditions. In this case,
the Shift Manager authorizes immediate entry to an
area. If the RWP approval requirement is waived,
RADCON and the personnel escorted by RADCON
must comply with radiation protection procedure for
entry into high radiation areas.

The RWP must be completed when the emergency is
over. At the completion of the exempt work, actions will
be taken to document, in the RADCON Computer
System, the work, entries, exits, dose accrued, etc. Per
Watts Bar Tech Specs and FSAR, this does not apply.
Information Required on a RWP






scope of work
radiation, contamination and airborne
radioactivity
internal and external dose action levels
location of hot spots
personnel authorized to use the RWP
dosimetry requirements
Information Required on a RWP





respiratory protection requirements
protective clothing requirements
period during which the RWP is valid.
radiological protection coverage, surveys,
hold points and notification requirements
special precautions, restrictions or
limitations
Terminating RWPs

RADCON will perform the closure of a RWP after the
work has been completed or if a RWP is being revised.
The task leader will inform RADCON that the work is
complete.

Perform a post job critique. The RWP, problems, work
performance, total exposure versus the estimate,
protective requirements, radwaste volume generated,
good or bad practices and lessons learned should all be
considered in the critique and documented in the
RADCON Computer System RWP logbook.
Manual Backup for the RADCON
Computer System

During periods when the RADCON Computer
System is unavailable for implementing the RWP
program, a manual backup method shall be
provided until the main system is returned to
service. The local mode for the system should
normally be used when the main system is
experiencing a problem or outage. Routinely, the
local mode provides adequate interim backup.
Manual Backup for the RADCON
Computer System

If the system local mode also becomes
unavailable or unsuitable, then a hard copy
backup method should be used and as a
minimum will have a RWP and a RWP timesheet
or Dose Card. Information documented by the
manual hard copy method will be entered into
the system as soon as possible upon system return
to service. The first priority will be RWP entry
data.