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500 EM385-1-1 Construction Safety Hazard Awareness for Contractors Sections 1 - 6
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06.F.08 Signs, Labels, and Posting Requirements.

  1. The RSO must post in a conspicuous location a sign or signs bearing the standard radiation symbol shown to the right and the following words:
  2. continuous improvement
    When you see this, pay attention!
    • (1) "Caution, Radiation Area" - areas where radiation field is equal to or greater than 5 mrem (0.05 mSv) in any 1 hour and less than 100 mrem (1 mSv) in any 1 hour at 30 cm from the radiation source;
    • (2) "Caution, High Radiation Area" - areas where radiation field is equal to or greater than 100 mrem (1 mSv) in any 1 hour at 12 in (30 cm) from the radiation source and less than 500 rads (5 Gy) in any 1 hour at 3.3 ft (1 m) from the radiation source;
    • (3) "Grave Danger, Very High Radiation Area" - areas where the radiation field is equal to or greater than 500 rads (5 Gy) in any 1 hour;
    • (4) "Caution, Airborne Radioactivity Area" - rooms, enclosures, or areas where airborne radioactive material concentrations are greater than the derived air concentration (DAC) limits listed in 10 CFR 20, Appendix B or where concentrations (excluding Radon-222) exist 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% of the annual limit on intake (ALI) or 12 DAC-hours; or
    • (5) "Caution, Radioactive Material" - areas or rooms where quantities of radioactive materials in excess of ten times the 10 CFR 20, Appendix C quantities are used or stored.
  1. Users who receive or expect to receive a package containing radioactive material must follow the package receipt procedures listed in 10 CFR 20.1906.
  2. When a site has an NRC license, the RSO must post an NRC Form 3 in a location visible to all employees who work with or around radioactive materials

06.F.09 Radioactive Waste Disposal

  1. Radioactive sealed sources (and gauges) when no longer needed may be returned (transferred) to the manufacturer. The local USACE RSO must be notified and any applicable licenses or permits amended or terminated.
  2. Radioactive waste disposal must be coordinated with the GDA. For disposal actions specific to USACE operations and activities the GDA or Project Manager must coordinate with the USACE Command RSO and the USACE Environmental and Munitions Center of Expertise.
  3. Tritium (H-3) and Carbon-14 used in liquid scintillation counting, at concentrations below 0.05 microcuries per gram (uCi/g), may be disposed without regard to its radioactivity. (Note: Many liquid scintillation fluids are hazardous wastes and must be disposed of as such.)

06.F.10 Records.

  1. All users of radioactive material or radiation generating devices must prepare and maintain records of the Radiation Safety Program for three (3) years after termination of the license or permit.
  2. For any individual for whom monitoring was required by Section 06.F.05, the RSO must prepare and maintain documentation of that person's occupational dose during the current year. The RSO must also attempt to obtain records of cumulative occupational radiation dose.
  3. All users of radioactive material or radiation generating devices must prepare and maintain records of all calculated or monitored radiation dose to individual members of the public so as to document compliance with Section 06.F.05.

06.F.11 Reports.

  1. Any loss, theft, damage, or overexposure must immediately upon discovery be reported to the RSO who will then file a report (if required) with NRC in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 20.
  2. Mishaps involving radioactive material or radiation generating devices must be reported immediately to the RSO and the USACE RSSO.
  3. Annual reports must be issued by the RSO for each individual USACE radiation employee with the recorded or calculated dose assigned to the USACE individual for the year or specific work project. These must be maintained in such a manner that accumulated exposure can be determined at a future date.

06.F.12 Transportation.

  1. Users of radioactive material must comply with the requirements of the DOT for inter- and intra-state transport contained in 49 CFR.
  2. Persons who prepare shipments of radioactive materials that are defined as hazardous material under DOT regulations are required to be trained (49 CFR 173.1(b)), certified, and issued an appointment letter in accordance with DoD 4500.9-R, Chapter 204.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

6-12. What should the wording be on signs where the radiation field is equal to or greater than 500 rads (5 Gy) in any 1 hour?