Radiological Safety and Response
RPT-243-PE-4
Posting
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to (cont’d):
• Post any radiologically controlled area in
accordance with the regulations when provided
survey information, radiological profile
information, posting material and local guidance.
• Describe precautions and survey techniques for
entering an area where radiation levels are
unknown.
• Demonstrate actions that should be taken if
radiological conditions significantly different from
those indicated by the posting.
Outline
• Explanation
• Mini-Lecture and Demo for Posting
Techniques
• Section 1 – COP Surveillance
• Section 2 – Posting Construction and
Placement
• Debrief
Explanation
• The same team assignments made in PE-1 will
continue into this PE.
• The teams will be sub-divided into two person
sub-teams.
• This PE has two sections.
– The first section involves the teams performing a
surveillance under the Compliance Observation
Program (COP).
– The second section involves the teams
demonstrating the ability to construct and place a
barrier rope with posting in place.
Explanation
• The teams will be held accountable for the
use of proper three-part communication and
human performance tools during the PE.
• The exercise will start with a mini-lecture on
proper posting techniques and will include a
pre-job briefing for the scenario.
• At the conclusion of the practical portion, a
team debrief may be held if time permits.
Posting Techniques
In General…
• Each station issues procedures that describe the
details of their posting standards.
• In many cases, the local standard is more
conservative than the regulatory requirements.
• For example:
– The standard for regulations in posting a radiation
area is 5 mrem/hr general area dose rates.
– The local standard may be that radiation areas are
posted at 2.5 mrem/hr.
In General…
– The regulations say the words “Caution” and
“Radiation Area” are to be used.
– The station may require additional wording such
as “RWP Required for Entry” and “Dosimetry
Required for Entry”
– “Notify HP Prior to Entry” may be another locally
imposed posting required.
In General…
– Colored inserts may also be used to enable
differentiation of hazards on a common posting
sign.
– Unique shapes may be specified such as a triangle
shaped sign for Locked High Radiation Areas
• Other techniques may be stipulated through
training, department policy or “standing
orders” such as:
– the need to secure the ends of a rope using a
specific technique.
In General…
– The need to tape or otherwise secure inserts in the
holder
– The requirement to place entry barriers for
radiological areas without step-off pads (SOPs) at a
height of five feet secured on both ends
– The requirement to place barrier rope at SOPs secured
at one end with a hooking device on the other
– The requirement that signs not be placed on doors
that might be blocked open unless a back-up barrier is
erected.
The ATC-RPT Standard
• For the purposes of our PEs, the posting
standards that will be used are shown in the
following pictures and as described here:
– Every posted area will have the wording “Caution”
“Radioactive Materials Area”
– Multiple hazards may be represented on the same
sign with dose rate based information shown first
followed by airborne based posting and then
contamination based posting.
– Contact HP (RP) Prior to Entry is required on all posing
signs at the bottom
Multiple Areas
The ATC-RPT Standard
• Radiological Buffers Zones (RBZ) have unique
postings not addressed in the regulations.
• Some power facilities use them, some do not.
The DOE sites typically use either an RBZ or
Radiological Buffer Area (RBA)
• We will use the RBA prior to an individual
entering an RCA.
RBA
The ATC-RPT Standard
• Barriers are treated one of two ways:
– An invisible plane that must not be broken
– Wet paint theory – reaching across is okay – just
don’t touch anything.
– We will use the invisible plane theory
– Do not break the plane created by the barrier or
the tape on the floor.
• Radioactive tape is also used specifically in
applications concerning loose surface
contamination. It defines the intersection of
The Invisible Plane
Tape
The ATC-RPT Standard
• Areas with SOPs will have provision made for
the barrier to be temporarily disconnected to
permit access and egress. In this case, the
barrier is to be approximately waist level.
• Barriers at areas without SOPs are to be
secured on both ends with the barrier rope at
a height of five feet.
• The ends of all rope barriers are to be secured
using tie-wraps and a double overlap of the
end.
Securing the Ends
The Technique
The “bitter end”
Trim off excess unraveled pieces
The Technique
The first loop. About two inches between ty-wraps
The Technique
The second loop.
Notice the two new tie-wraps are between the
first two tie-wraps
The Technique
Trim it up.
The tie-wraps as close as possible.
Up the side cutters to cut the excess rope as close as
possible.
The Technique Completed
The ATC-RPT Standard
• Any area with radiological readings > 80% of
the threshold for the next level of posting
should have the posting upgraded to the next
level as a precaution. For example:
– The general area dose rates in a posted High
Radiation Area are found to be 800 mr/hr. The
area should be upgraded to a LHRA.
– The RPT would do this after consulting with an RP
Supervisor.
Pre-Job Briefing
Scenario PJB
• Your team is assigned to participate in a
routine surveillance conducted in accordance
with the station’s Compliance Observation
Program (COP).
• Each team is assigned specific postings to
inspect.
• Each team is given a current survey to use as
the standard for the posting observation.
• Each four man team will be sub-divided into
two person sub-teams.
• Standard radiological safety guidelines apply.
Scenario PJB
• The task is to check the posting in place to
ensure it matches the radiological conditions
presented by the survey data.
• Your RWP number is RWP-201X-243 task 4.
• The team members are to adhere to all RWP
requirements and posting.
• The team members are to perform the task in
a manner in which dose is equalized between
the team members.
Scenario PJB
• The teams are to adhere to the instructions
given in the Student Guide.
• Discrepancies are to be communicated to the
Instructor and actions taken as directed.
• Questions
Section 1
COP Surveillance
Instructions
• Timed
• Follow the Student Guide as a procedure.
Section 2
Posting Construction and Placement
Scenario Set-Up
• When using the side-cutters on the tie-wraps
or the rope, use caution to avoid sharp edges
and the pinch point.
• Using the information and materials provided,
construct and install a barrier and posting in
accordance with the local guidance and
regulatory requirements.
Instructions
• Follow the Student Guide as your procedure.
• After finishing Section 2, complete the student
guide as a team and return it to the Instructor.
What Are Your Questions ?