1.

Purpose The purpose of this procedure to describes the safety measures to be followed during storage, handling, transportation and use of the Nuclear Gauge for testing of field density.

2.0

Scope The scope of this procedure is to apply for the nuclear gauge used in the field density test. All safety precautions are followed as per the local government rules and regulations.

3.0 2.1 2.2 4.0 4.1 4.1.1 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.2

Responsibility Technical Manager is responsible for ensuring that the safety aspects as documented below are taken care during the testing. Supervisor / Technician are responsible for taking all safety precautions as described below during handling, transportation, use and storage of nuclear gauge. Description of activity Safety precautions The nuclear gauge used in this testing utilizes the radioactive materials emitting ionizing radiation which may be hazardous to the health unless proper precautions are taken. Storage Nuclear gauge is always needs to be stored inside the packing box provided by the Manufacturer. It should not be kept open during its storage. The Nuclear gauge is stored at the identified nuclear gauge storage room with lock and key. The key of the room is lying with the Supervisor / Technician, who is responsible for the use of such nuclear gauge. No other materials should be lying there inside the nuclear gauge storage room. Supervisor / Technician are authorized for this test and he is only person handle the nuclear gauge. Handling Nuclear gauge is handled only, when there is need for testing of density at site. Supervisor / Technician will open the radioactive room and check that the box of nuclear gauge is intact condition. Upon satisfactory checking, Supervisor / Technician will ensure that proper arrangement of nuclear gauge inside the box. Supervisor / Technician will handle the box properly and keep it carefully on the Pickup for its transportation to the site. Transportation The Nuclear gauge must be kept in upright condition to ensure that the nuclear gauge is proper condition, so that there should not be any damages to the nuclear gauge during the transportation. Proper care is during transportation to prevent any damage to the nuclear gauge. Use (Testing) Nuclear gauge box is unloaded at the site, where field density is to be carriedout. Before every use Supervisor / Technician standardize the gauge as per the details given in the test method. Area is cordoned to avoid unauthorized entry during testing as well as to prevent any radiation to the persons working nearby. All personnel working nearby are instructed to leave the premises until the test is completed.

4.2.3 4.2.4 4.3 4.3.1 4.3.2

4.3.3 4.4 4.4.1

4.4.2 4.5 4.5.1 4.5.2 4.5.3

4.5.4 4.5.5 4.6 4.6.1

Supervisor / Technician will ensure that he is equipped with the radiation badge. Also site is checked by survey meter for the leaking / effect of radiation in the area under testing. After ensuring all safety precautions, Supervisor / Technician will start the testing as per the test method given in the BS / ASTM. Routine safety and evacuation plan The Badge of the Supervisor / Technician is sent for testing for radiation level at every six month to the government hospital. After testing, if the radiation level is found higher than the specified level, then the Supervisor / Technician is taken out from the routine testing work. He is made free from the nuclear testing for certain period till its radiation level becomes within the specified norms. If any leakages observed from the gauge during handling, storage, transportation and usage, the area is immediately left by all employees. All persons working nearby are instructed to leave the premises till the necessary actions are taken. Personnel training for person operating Nuclear gauge All the operators are trained either by manufacturer, manufacturers representative or other radiological safety course like provided by Business communication LLC on radiation safety, transport and operation of instruments using gamma and neutron radiation. During the training following things are covered. 1. Principles and practices of radiation protection 2. Radioactivity measurement and monitoring 3. Calculations basic to the use of radioactivity 4. Biological effects on radiation 5. Min 2.5 hours for use of application of the devices. Only person trained as above is approved in our lab to enter in such radioactive material storage room or operate the gauge.

4.6.2

4.7

4.8

Personal monitoring and personal protection The gauge operator must wear a type GI Dosimeter during operation of gauge for testing and provided by local authority. Expected annual absorbed dose is less than 200 mrem. When it is not in used then all dosimeters are stored in a location at least 50 feet away from a gauge.

4.9

Health check up The person must do medical check up from the hospital at least once in six month. If radiation effect is found more than he is isolated from such radiation work for minimum 1 month and medical check is again performed. Once he found normal then only test is allowed to perform by such person. During such period we will not take the samples

4.10 4.11

Area of use Gauges are used on temporary job sites. Storage of Gauge and safety When the gauge is not in use then keep it in secured storage place and such store area is kept locked. Key is kept with either laboratory manager or authorized nuclear gauge operator. The gauge should be never left unattended on a work site. The authorized badge operator and designated by the lab is designated and allow to remove the gauge from storage for use or maintenance.

4.12

Maintenance and safety precautions The maintenance of the device that involves removal of radioactive source is not performed by any of our lab person except by manufacturer or other license repair authority. Routine cleaning of the movable shield is performed by the operator and ensure that same is done, where no other persons are present as well as to avoid unnecessary exposure to others.

4.13

Emergency procedure: If the gauge or vehicle transporting the gauge on site is involved with any accident or any emergency or leakage etc then following steps are followed. The operator will set up an exclusion area ten feets in radius with the gauge located at approximate center of the exclusion circle. The operator will visually determine the extent of damage to the gauge. If the damage is found minor or superficial in nature then it is inspected with close range to determine the integrity of the shielding has been breached as well as radiation effect. If such things are found then take help of state radiological health group. If the damage is minimal and shielding is still intact and performance is o.k. then carry out non-radiological safety related repairs at our sites or sent it to manufacturer for repairing. If accident happens off side on public highway or public area then inform to local police.

4.14

Disposal If the gauge is damaged at any time beyond repair or no longer required for use then gauge and radioactive sources are either transferred to manufacturer or transferred to another licensee.

5.0 5.1 5.2

References BS 1377: Part 9 Soils for civil engineering purposes insitu tests Radiation Safety guidelines Manufacturer