Radiological Emergency Response & Planning

Reasons for accidents

Loss of control of radiation worker

- Negligence of operator to terminate exposure

- Failure to operator to survey radiation levels
- Entry into NO ENTRY barrier during radiography operation
- Failure to retract the source
- Failure to perform adequate radiation monitoring survey

Loss of control of exposure devises

- Failure of automatic x-ray equipment to terminate an exposure after

completing the job
- Malfunctioning of interlocks and damaging safety features of the system
- Damage to shielding or filtration systems
-

Loss of control of radioactive sources

- Source stuck in the guide tube, collimator or near the entrance to the exposure
container
- Source disconnected from the gamma projector cable
- Source stuck in the exposed position such as failure of shutter to close
or source assembly
- Theft of the exposure device or source assembly
- Malfunction or deliberate defeat of the safety control system
- Contamination due to leaking or damage sources

Major Causes for Accidents (Lessens Learned)

Operator Error
Equipment Error
Procedural Error
Details of possible radiological emergency in Industrial Radiography work

Type & category of Possible root cause of Examples

emergency emergency
On-Site emergency -Non compliance to safe
working procedure by the
operator
- Lack of maintenance of
gamma projector system or x-
ray machine
- Source capsule assembly stuck
Source capsule assembly
disconnected from its cable
Failure of retracting source
assembly into shielded
position
in source guide tube

Source capsule assembly stuck

in source guide nozzle

Off-site emergency Conventional emergency that

may lead to radiological
emergency

Accident during transporting

of sources

Equipment necessary for emergency response

Monitoring equipment
– Suitable survey meters
- Contamination monitor
- Personnel dosimeters (electronic)

Handling equipment

- Shielding materials Lead sheets, lead shots

- Long handling tongs (at least 1 m)
- Shielded container
- Radiation warning labels
- Cordon off ropes

Communication equipment -
Maximum permissible times for each worker attending radiation emergency situation

Source Activity Dose rate at 1 m Allowable time

GBq (Ci) (mSv/hr) (min)

Ir-192 37 (1) 4.8 120

74 (2) 9.6 60
185 (5) 24.0 25
370 (10) 48.0 12
740 (20) 96.0 6
1850 (50) 240.0 2
3700 (100) 480.0 1
Co-60 37 13.2 46
74 26.4 23
185 66.0 9
370 132.0 4 .6
740 264.0 2.3
1850 660.0 0 .9
3700 1320.0 0 .4
 Planning for Radiological Emergency Response

Stages of emergency planning

a) Identification of potential accidents and other unplanned events during industrial

radiography and evaluation of the risks associated with these.
b) Development of emergency plans to deal with the identified hazards.
c) Specification and acquisition of emergency equipment.
d) Training to implement the emergency plan, including necessary training in the use of the
emergency equipment.
e) Exercises at appropriate intervals to test the implementation of the emergency plan.
f) Periodic reviews and necessary updates of the emergency plans.

Emergency Response Procedures / Action Plan

The licensee should establish a Radiation Protection Programme to deal with radiation
emergencies

The emergency planning procedure should include;

 Hierarchy of command
 Accident reporting procedure
 Monitoring and assessment
 Immediate control measures
 Coordination between appropriate authorities (national)
 Recovery actions
 Medical response
 International assistance
 Post accident report
Immediate response action involving X-Ray machines

Responder Order of actions

Operator - switch off the machine immediately
- perform radiation survey to confirm the tube is de-
energized
- Record position beam direction, exposure settings
- determine who has been exposed
- Inform RPO/RPS and brief him
- Do not reuse the machine until further notice
RPO/RPS Notify the appropriate authority
Investigate and reconstruct the accident
Sent TLD s to immediate evaluation

Immediate response action involving gamma ray operations

Responder Order of actions

Operator -Recognize the abnormal situation
- move away from the source
- measure the radiation dose rate and establish new
safe barrier
- display warning signs
- Restrict access beyond the area
- Detain the persons exposed
- Do not leave the area unattended
- Plan a course of actions
- prepare all the emergency equipment fro response
- Inform RPO?RSO

RPO/RPS If source already in the shielded container;

- check the shielding and its interlocking system
- Do not allow anybody work in the barrier
- Send TLD s to evaluation

If the source still outside shielded container;

- Plan a course of action
- rehearse the course of action
- check the barriers
- make attempt to return the source into shielded
container
- Call assistance if needed
- notify the appropriate authorities
- Provide Medical assistance if needed