SAFETY--Handling of Radioactive Materials
January 16, 1968
WATER RESOURCES DIVISION MEMORANDUM NO. 68.98
To: Regional Hydrologists and District Chiefs,WRD
From: Chief Hydrologist
Subject: SAFETY--Handling of Radioactive Materials
Increasing use of investigatory techniques utilizing radioactive
materials calls for renewed attention to safety considerations in
the handling of these materials. This memorandum outlines WRD
safety policy for protection against radiation hazards during conduct
of water-resources investigations. The measures adopted are not
intended to suppress the use of these materials, but their safe
handling must be assured. In addition to health hazards, any improper
or unauthorized use of radioactive materials or accidents due to
carelessness or incompetence in their handling, jeopardizes the
broad license granted to the Survey by the Atomic Energy Commission
and, hence, the Division's use of these important investigatory tools.
While the regulations of the Atomic Energy Commission are to be
followed, it is also the policy of the Department and the Bureau to
follow nonconflicting rules and regulations of the States and munici-
palities. A copy of the Department's memorandum of October 25, 1963,
on this subject is attached. The Survey manual release (395.2.1.2)
covering this subject is almost identical.
Federal regulations* prescribe the limits governing exposure of
personnel to radiation, concentrations of radioactive material that
may be discharged to the environment, authorized disposal practices,
and precautionary procedures and administrative controls. All WRD
pesonnel authorized to handle radioactive materials, or in charge
of activities requiring use of these materials, are required to be
_________________
* U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Division of Materials Licensing,
1966, Conditions and Limitations on the General License Provisions
of CFR 150.20.
familiar with the AEC regulations and the contents of NBS Handbook
#92 entitled "Safe Handling of Radioactive Materials"** and IAEA
"Guide to the Safe Handling of Radioisotopes in Hydrology."***
Regional Radiation Safety Officers
Regional Hydrologists shall be responsible for compliance with
Departmental, Bureau, and Division safety policy in their respective
regions. Each Regional Hydrologist shall designate a Radiation
Protection Officer appropriately trained in safe handling of radio-
active materials. A number of universities and colleges offer 3-
to 6-week AEC-approved courses. Information on training facilities
is available from the Chief, Manpower Section.
The Regional Radiation Protection Officers, working in affiliation
with the Survey Field Center Safety Committees, will ensure that
considerations of safety are fully respected and practiced at each
laboratory, in field operations involving equipment utilizing radio-
active materials, and at any other WRD facility where ionizing radiation
is present. They will ensure that only qualified personnel, properly
trained and licensed, oversee use of or handle radioactive materials
and equipment, and that all personnel exposed to radiation hazards are
adequately instructed in the safe handling of such materials and in
emergency procedures.
Periodically Division Headquarters, with the assistance of the
Washington Safety Committee, will review Regional and district radio-
logical safety practices, training programs, and all other aspects of
Division radiation protection policy to ensure accordance with
Departmental and Bureau policy and AEC regulations. Memoranda of
instructions for use of specific equipment involving radiation hazards,
such as well-logging apparatus employing radioactive sources, reactor
and laboratory operaitons, radioisotope tracer applications, and
nuclear sediment probes, will be issued from time to time.
____________________
** Available from Supt. of Documents, GPO, Washington, D.C. 20402
(Price 40 cents).
***Available from National Agency for Int'l. Publ., Inc., 317 East 34th
Street, New York, New York 10016 (Price $1.00).
Conclusion
The use of radioactive materials demands sensible caution and continuing
surveillance. The case for prudency in their use is unassailable, and
unauthorized or negligent practices will not be tolerated. Careful
attention to the safety standards and procedures covered by this
memorandum will ensure that the current trend to wider uses of radioactive
methods in WRD investigations ocntinues with as few restrictions as possible.
E. L. Hendricks
Attachment
Key Words: Radioactive Materials, Atomic Energy Commission
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
Washington 25, D.C.
October 25, 1963
RECOMMENDED UNIFORM SAFETY PROCEDURE (RUSP) No. 1-63
To: Heads of Bureaus and Offices
From: Director of Personnel
Subject: Protection From Radioactive Materials
The increased use of radioactive materials in certain bureau activities
creates a need for safety considerations for employees who may be
exposed to harmful radiation-emitting equipment and materials. We are
indebted to the Geological Survey Safety Officer for the following
recommended uniform safety procedures with respect to this hazard:
Radiation Protection. Radiation-emitting materials and equipment
should be used, stored, shipped, and disposed of in a manner which
insures maximum feasible protection to employees and to the visiting
public. The regulations of the Atomic Energy Commission, relating
to the safety aspects of radiation-emitting equipment and materials,
and reles and regulations of States and municipalities not conflicting
with those of the Atomic Energy Commission should be followed.
1. Training. Safety officers or other employees made responsible for
radiation protection programs should be trained.
2. Inventory of Radiation-Emitting Material and Equipment. A complete
inventory of bureau-owned or controlled radiation-emitting material and
equipment should be maintained as provided in U & D memorandum No. 133.*
3. Film Badges. Film badges should be provided and used by all bureau
employees who work with radiation-emitting materials and equipment.
4. Records. Records should be maintained from periodic development of
film badges, showing ionizing radiation received by each employee during
the reporting period and cumulative exposure.
*Utilization and Disposition memoranda series issued by Office of
Management Operations.
5. Inspections. Periodic inspections should be made of areas where
radiation-emitting materials are handled, stored or used to insure
compliance with regulations concerning storage and handling.
6. Radiological Monitoring. There should be close liaison between
safety and radiological monitoring functions so that safety officers
will be informed of developments in this program area. Safety officers
should be utilized for technical advice and assistance on employee
safety aspects of exposure. Refer to 900 DM 1 and its supplement,
Department's Emergency Operations Handbook.
Newell B. Terry