Palo Verde provides the following response: Based on the scenario provided and the possible follow-up actions that the RP Tech could take the quick is answer No and No.
Once an individual places several items into a SAM and it alarms you have ostensibly detected radioactive material. To merely remove and re-monitor on an individual item basis would be doing a "divide and conquer maneuver. Further, performing a hand frisk and releasing an item because no radioactivity is detected does not take into account gamma vs. beta detection or subsurface / attenuated activity. At Palo Verde, in this instance an RP Tech (using proper contamination control techniques) would remove the items, individually survey with a large area probe to see if any activity was detectable. If something is detected it obviously is not released. All remaining items would be wiped down, evaluated, etc. and re-monitored individually in the tool monitor and if it clears it can then be unconditional release from the Radiological Control Area (RCA). In this manner a positive action (decontamination), assessment and evaluation are required. Seth From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 10:17 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Powernet: Small Article Monitor alarm response question Scenario: A radworker monitored several personnel items in a small article monitor (SAM) and an alarm occurred. None of the items were taken into a contaminated area. He notifies RP and an RP tech responds. Question: What is the RP tech at your plant expected to do? Some possibilities - 1) Re-monitor the items individually using the SAM, and release all items that do not cause an alarm - even if individually, none of them cause an alarm. 2) Hand frisk each item and, if no radioactivity is detected, release the items. Thanks - John Lebda Staff RP Specialist Beaver Valley Power Station [email protected] ----------------------------------------- The information contained in this message is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately, and delete the original message. --- NOTICE --- This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain confidential, privileged or proprietary information. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original and any copy or printout. Unintended recipients are prohibited from making any other use of this e-mail. Although we have taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or attachments, or for any delay or errors or omissions in the contents which result from e-mail transmission.
