6.0 DECONTAMINATION
Decontamination of equipment and personnel will be performed to reduce worker risks, and to limit the migration of contaminants off-site and between work zones. Decontamination will generally occur at the edge of an EZ, Contamination Area, or Radiation Area (Drawing 7999147-C1, Site Preparation and Layout, Appendix F). Additional, temporary decontamination stations may be established as project activities and needs warrant. In general, everything that enters a restricted area at the project must either be decontaminated or properly discarded upon exit from the EZ; everything that enters a Contaminated Area at the project must be frisked to determine if contamination is present, and if it is, either be decontaminated or properly discarded. All personnel must enter and exit an EZ and radiologically posted areas through a CRZ.
See the Radiation Protection Plan for further details on decontamination activities.
7.0 MONITORING PROGRAM
Personal and ambient air monitoring will be conducted by the project-site safety staff, as necessary, to measure the concentrations of oxygen, flammable/combustible vapors, and various airborne site contaminants. Air monitoring data is primarily used to verify that administrative controls, engineering controls, and PPE are effectively preventing harmful exposures to chemicals and/or controlling internal exposures of radiation to project personnel to within allowed regulatory limits. Air monitoring data is also useful for the documentation of fugitive emissions and indicates when project activities or work practices need modification. The results of air monitoring shall be conveyed to project personnel. For radiological contaminants, the monitoring program is described in the Radiation Protection Plan.
7.1 Types of Air Monitoring
Various types of air monitoring equipment will be used. Most air monitoring for chemical contaminants, dust, oxygen, and combustible gases will be accomplished through the use of real-time, direct reading instruments. Air monitoring for radioactive contaminants will be performed per the Radiation Protection Plan.
7.1.1 Real-Time Air Monitoring
Real-time air monitoring will be conducted during intrusive work in areas that are known or suspected to have chemical contamination. This type of monitoring will also be performed in special circumstances such as confined space entry, hot work (permitting), or during spills. The real time instrumentation that will be used is listed as follows:
· Photo ionization detector (PID) or flame ionization detector (FID) for organic vapor monitoring. PID monitoring, if used, will be conducted with an 11.7eV lamp.
· Aerosol monitor for total dust.
· Oxygen meter to measure for oxygen deficient/enriched atmospheres.
· Combustible gas indicator for flammable/combustible atmospheres.
· Action levels above background, as determined by real-time instrumentation, are given in Table 7-1, Monitoring Program Summary.
Readings at action levels warrant the following procedures:
· All personnel will stop work in the area and assemble upwind.
· Additional monitoring shall be performed to substantiate previous readings.
· If previous readings are substantiated, controls (engineering/administrative) shall be implemented to maintain air quality within safe levels or personnel shall upgrade to the appropriate level of protection.
7.1.2 Time-Integrated Air Sampling
Time-integrated air sampling may be performed during activities when site characterization data and real-time instrumentation indicate that chemical and/or dust exposures to personnel are suspected to be approaching established limits (PEL/TLV) for target compounds, such as, plutonium and lead. Personal air samples will be collected for each job classification to initially determine if any employee may be exposed to these chemical/materials at or above the action levels. Additional periodic monitoring may be performed based on the results of the initial monitoring. Samples will be collected and analyzed following OSHA or NIOSH methods. All time-integrated, personal air samples will be analyzed using a laboratory accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
A Mini-Ram sampler may be used to monitor for the presence of respirable dust. Use of the equipment facilitates real-time monitoring for the potential soil-borne radionuclides in the air.
7.2 Exposure Monitoring
Radiation exposure monitoring will be performed per the Radiation Protection Plan.
7.3 Radiation Detection Instruments
Field instruments will be used at the site to monitor external contamination on personnel as they exit radiologically posted areas, and other instruments will be used to count air samples, smears of equipment, and shipments. See the Radiation Protection Plan for additional details.
7.4 Calibration and Maintenance
All air monitoring equipment will be maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer's recommendations by the CHP, or designee. All instruments are to be returned for maintenance on a schedule that does not exceed six months. Calibration (or zeroing the aerosol monitor) will be performed and documented before and after use each day. Only properly functioning instrumentation shall be used.
See the Radiation Protection Plan for calibration of radiation detection instruments.
7.5 Other Hazardous Conditions
If chemicals or chemical containers are encountered, operations will cease. The CM will contact the CHP to discuss and evaluate unexpected hazardous situations. Operations will be resumed only after the appropriate controls have been implemented.
7.6 Record Keeping
The CHP or his/her designee will be responsible for maintaining all air monitoring records. The following records shall be maintained in project files for the duration of the project and then provided to the Air Force for appropriate disposition.
· Date, time, location, operations performed
· Meteorological data
· Names and ID numbers of personnel monitored
· Equipment identification, calibration data
· Monitoring/sampling data, including signature of sample collector
· Engineering controls used to reduce exposure
· Description of PPE worn.
All radiological protection records shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the US ACE Radiation Protection Manual. These records include instrument calibrations, daily performance checks, monthly performance checks, smear counts, air sampling results, results of internal dose assessments, and personnel dose records.
7.7 Quality Assurance/Quality Control
Air monitoring instruments shall be maintained and calibrated before and after use. The calibration and maintenance of air monitoring instruments shall be performed by the CHP against known standards and manufacturer specifications. Instruments shall be calibrated to ±5 percent against known standards. If instruments cannot be calibrated within this tolerance or if operation becomes erratic, then the instrument shall not be used and sent out for maintenance. The following air monitoring data and calibration records shall be maintained, controlled, and retrievable at all times by the CHP:
· Calibration Log sheets
· Combustible Gas/Oxygen Meter Calibration Log sheets
· Real Time Air Monitoring Log sheets
· Integrated Air Sampling Log sheets
· Industrial Hygiene Monitoring Results sheets.
These records shall be maintained in the field office files by the CHP and stored in the permanent project files. The records will be forwarded to the Home Office at the project completion.
Air sampling equipment will be factory calibrated or be calibrated by the CHP. Calibration and/or flow rate checks performed by the CHP, as previously described, shall be performed as recommended by the manufacturer. Records of all calibrations and flow rate checks will be maintained in permanent project files. The records will be forwarded to the Home Office for appropriate record retention.
Calibration records for all field monitoring equipment shall be maintained on-site during the duration of the project. Monthly and daily performance check records shall also be maintained.
7.8 Vehicle Monitoring
Vehicles that leave the radiological controlled area will be surveyed appropriately for radiological contaminants. These surveys will be in accordance with the Radiation Protection Plan, and documented on a radiation survey form, as necessary.
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