EMERGENCY PLAN AND PROCEDURE IN INDUSTRY INVOLVING NORM/TENORM

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Contents
Introduction Types of Emergencies Transportation Accident Fire Injury to Personnel Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Hierarchy of Command Accident Reporting Monitoring and Assessment Immediate Control Measure Coordination With Authorities Emergency Equipment Decontamination Emergency Preparedness
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Incident / Accident
Any unintended event, including operating errors, equipment failures or other mishaps, the consequences or potential consequences of which are not negligible from the point of view of protection or safety.
AEL(BSRP) Regs. 2010

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Introduction
Radiological emergency is defined as a situation that produces extraordinary or abnormal radiation exposure or contamination or both. Such emergency may originates from processing and handling of NORM/TENORM. the

The uniqueness of this emergency over other radiological emergency makes handling of such emergency unique.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Prevention of Accidents
67. (1) prevent as far as possible, any accident that could reasonably be foreseen for any radiation source, and to limit the consequences of any accident.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

(2) The licensee shall ensure that (a) adequate procedures are established for the control of the radiation source and of any potential accident that is reasonably foreseeable; (b) the system, components and equipment which are important for safety are inspected and tested in a manner as specified by the appropriate authority for any degradation that could lead to abnormal conditions or inadequate performance; (c) appropriate maintenance, inspection and testing are carried out without undue occupational exposure;

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

(d) appropriate automatic systems for safely shutting off or reducing

radiation output from the radiation source when the operating

conditions exceed the operating ranges are provided; and (e) a system which can detect and respond immediately to abnormal

operating conditions that can significantly affect the protection or

safety and to allow for timely corrective action to be taken, is provided.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Types of Emergencies
Emergency related to NORM/TENORM is largely attributed to accidental release or dispersion of mineral or dust containing TENORM into the environment.
Such emergency happens due to:
Accidental and uncontrolled discharge of effluent - transportation accident involving shipment of TENORM Fire in NORM processing plant. The water used in the extraction of valuable minerals containing TENORM is accidentally discharged into the open water system e.g. river.

Uncontrolled or accidental discharge of effluent containing TENORM posed radiological hazards to the environment.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Transportation Accident
TENORM are normally transported in bulk.
An accident during transportation of TENORM can cause its dispersion or release into the environment and which subsequently lead to radiological contamination of man, the environment and living organisms.

Transportation of TENORM should comply with regulations and guidelines as set by AELB.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Fire
A fire in a TENORM facility or plant can cause a radiological emergency.
High temperature from a fire incident facilitates spread or release of TENORM into the environment. The release results in abnormal and unwanted concentrations of radiological materials in the environment and could affect the public including the rescue teams.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Fire
Fire and Rescue team members can be exposed to contamination from TENORM if they are not aware of such hazards. RPO needs to brief fire and rescue team on such potential radiological hazards prior to allowing them to response to a radiological emergency.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Injury to Personnel
Personnel may be exposed to both external and internal radiation from NORM/TENORM. External radiation exposure is due to exposure of radiation present outside the body. Internal radiation exposure is due to exposure of radiation present inside the body. Modes of entry of radionuclides into the body are by:
Ingestion Inhalation Absorption (through wound)

Care must be taken prevent entry of radionuclides into the body during any emergency.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

The emergency response plan for industry involving TENORM should be specific to the potential accidents arising from such industry. Objectives of emergency response plan are:
To limit the radiation exposure to as low as reasonably achievable or lower than the permissible equivalent dose. Reduce the impact of the radiological accident. To bring the situation back to normal. To save life by providing first aid to victim.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Emergency plans
68. (1) The licensee shall establish an emergency plan* for responding to and correcting every reasonably foreseeable emergency situation involving a radiation source.
* (emergency plan means a set of procedures to be implemented in the event of an accident;)

(2) Every emergency plan established under subregulation (1) shall be subject to the approval of and the conditions imposed by the appropriate authority.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

68 (3) An emergency plan shall include

(a) the emergency organization; (b) allocation of responsibilities for individuals identified in the emergency plan; (c) identification of the various operating conditions and other conditions

of the radiation source which could lead to the need for intervention;
(d) measures to be taken during an emergency; (e) the establishment of intervention levels for different emergency situations;

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National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

(f) a list and description of equipment that is necessary during an emergency; (g) a description of the public information arrangements in the event of an accident;

(h) protective actions to be taken subsequent to an emergency; and

(i) the criteria for terminating, the measures and protective actions mentioned in paragraph (d) and (h), respectively.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

(4) The licensee shall ensure that the content, features and extent of emergency plans take into account the results of any accident analysis, operating experience and accidents that have occurred with radiation sources of a similar type. (5) The licensee shall review and update the emergency plan as determined by the appropriate authority. (6) The licensee shall provide training for personnel who are or will be

involved in implementing the emergency plan.

(7) The emergency plans shall be rehearsed at suitable intervals in conjunction with the relevant authorities.

(8) The licensee shall provide prior information to the members of the
public who could be affected by an accident which may occur at his facility.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Hierarchy of Command
Success and failure of emergency response is dependent on the effectiveness in executing emergency response plan. Clear and operational hierarchy of command to manage emergency quickly and effectively should be established and implemented. Hierarchy of command for radiological emergency should be integrated with other occupational safety and health emergency hierarchy of command so as to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of response. The RPO/RPS should be competent to establish or ascertain that the radiological emergency situation has happened.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Hierarchy of Command
The RPO may be appointed to act as Site Emergency Coordinator (SEC) with the overall command of the radiological emergency and to provide liaison with the authority (AELB) and external support teams. Example of external support team includes Fire and Rescue Department., First Aider, Radiological Monitoring Team, Decontamination Team, Historian and Record Keeper. RPO should declare that the radiological emergency is back to normal (emergency ended) and subsequently inform the relevant authorities of such action. Hierarchy of command must be reviewed periodically to ensure its effectiveness.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Accident Reporting
There are two stages in the reporting of accident: Notification of accident; and Full accident investigation. Company or organisation must make it a policy for their workers to notify all incidences at the work place. The Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304) and Occupational Safety Health Act 1994 make it mandatory for licensee and employer to notify all accidents. AELB requires all accident to be notified to them verbally as soon as possible or within 24 hours of happening.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Accident Reporting
RPO carries out a through investigation of the an accident when the an emergency is over and the condition is safe for him/her to carry out the investigation. The finding of an investigation is evaluated, the corrective and preventive measures recommended are to be implemented and subsequently monitored for completion. Full investigation report of the radiological accident is submitted by the RPO to AELB within 30 days from the date of accident.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Monitoring and Assessment

The absorbed doses, dose rates and contamination levels of persons involved in the emergency and the emergency area should be determined using appropriate methods and equipments.
All film badges and/or TLD worn by personnel involved in the accident shall be collected and sent to accredited institution for evaluation of the absorbed dose immediately. Radiation data collected via portable survey meter, personal dosimeter or area radiation monitoring system must be gathered, analysed and evaluated to ascertain ` contamination or exposure level. In the case of off site emergency , radiological environmental monitoring may be considered and conducted.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Immediate Control Measure

In case of the release of radioactive material, an immediate control measure such as the following should be used to prevent a further release of radionuclide and safety protection of workers:
Close the ventilation system to isolate the affected within or connected with incident area. Transfer the workers out away from the danger area to a safe area. Perform first aid / emergency treatment to victim (if any required). If require, Control access/egress to affected area by putting up barricade or warning sign to close the entrance to the affected area Inform RPO.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Coordination With Authorities

Radiation emergency response action activities are coordinated with AELB and other relevance local authorities responsible in planning and responding to radiological emergency. The authorities involved in responding to radiological emergency include Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Nuclear Malaysia, Hospital, Malaysian Universities such as UKM, USM and external (IAEA) experts.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Emergency Equipment
Radiation emergency equipment can be divided into two categories, i.e. radiation detection and measurement equipment and radiation protection equipment. Examples of radiation monitoring and measurement equipment are portable radiation survey meter, geiger meter etc. Examples of radiation protection equipment are:
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Chemical/radiation protection suit Contamination special suit Shielding materials, radiation sign, warning sign, first aid box
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Decontamination
Decontamination of an individual is to be supervised by RPO using an appropriate approved method, procedures and equipment.
Decontamination on the injured of a radiation victim must be assisted and supervised by medical team. Surface decontamination at the working place is carried out by well trained decontamination team. The effectiveness of decontamination exercise is assessed, evaluated and verified by RPO. Completion of any decontamination procedure to be declared by RPO.

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Emergency Preparedness
The emergency response plan should be informed to all radiation workers.
All radiation workers should be familiar with the contents of the emergency response plan and relevant procedures. The radiation workers involved in emergency response should be properly explained and trained on the procedures of the emergency response plan. The emergency response plan should be tested, by conducting regular drills.
National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Short Quiz

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Thank You

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Controlled Area
controlled area means any area in which specific protection measures and safety provisions are required for controlling normal exposures or preventing the spread of contamination during normal working conditions, and preventing or limiting the extent of potential exposures;

AEL(BSRP) Regs. 2010

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

Supervised Area

supervised area means an area for which occupational exposure conditions are kept under review even though specific protective measures and safety provisions are not normally needed;
AEL (BSRP) Regs. 2010

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer

National Committee for the Certification of Radiation Protection Officer