ALARA Program

The goal of an ALARA program is to make personnel exposures to radiation as low as reasonably achievable in the context of reasonable cost, technicalpracticality,and cost-benefit considerations. In such a program, each aspect ofan operation is evaluated to decide if there are alternatives or means by which the procedure can be modified to reduce exposures. 

Control o f hazards for internal exposures is more complex. The properties o fthe materials must be considered, but the experimental techniques to be used, the design and construction of the facility the way it is equipped, and the use of personal protective equipment are all factors that must be considered in establishing an effective ALARA program. 

The policies, design, constniction, and operational considoation, as well as the Radiation Protection Program at SRS, ensure that occupational radiation exposure to personnel is maintained As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). The ALARA poliqr, as delineated in Reference 6>17, requires the separation of the radiation protection fonctions from other operational (unctions and direct communication lines to management. SRS has established a radiation protection program (ALARA Program) (Ref 6-18, 6-19) for applicable site activities and provides a qualified (RC HP) organization to accomplish this goal. 

Dose rates must be consistent in "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) program. 

In 1978, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the United States went a step further in developing regulations based on the LNT, and adopted a rule for all licensees that personnel doses should be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Failiree to implement an ALARA program effectively could result in violations and fines to a company having an NRC license. Consequently, workers in the nuclear industry have developed a deeply entrenched fear of radiation, because all have been well schooled in the LNT hypothesis. 

A January 23, 1989, appraisal of the ALARA program pointed out that, although the average employee occupation radiation exposure for SRS workers was relatively low compared to the commercial nuclear industry, there were certain weaknesses in the program. 

The Radiation Work Permit (RWP) Program (Reference 15) is continuing to be an integral portion of the ALARA program by improving job planning and ALARA reviews performed prior to work in radiation areas. 

SC 46-2 Uranium Mining and Milling—Radiation Safety Programs SC 46-3 ALARA for Occupationally Exposed Individuals in Clinical Radiology... 

Implementation of administrative programs and procedures, in conjunction whh area design, to ensure that the occupational radiation exposure to personnel is maintained ALARA in conformance with DOE Order 5480.110lef 6-20)... 

The objective of radiation protection design features is to reduce personnel and public exposures, in conjunction with a program of controlled personnel access to and occupancy of radiation areas, to levels that are ALARA and within the dose standards of DOE Orders 5480.11 and 5400.5 (Ref. 6-20, 6-11). During the evaluation process of K-Reactor in Cold Standby, and L- and P-... 

The contractor s implementation plan indicated that SRS complies with the Order, which states that radiation exposure rates in controlled workplace areas should be reduced to ALARA levels by facility design and control. The Order states that the primary means are to be through physical controls with reliance on administrative and procedural means to be considered only as supplemental measures. After a review of DPSOP-40, a draft of the new Radiological Controls Manual - 5Q, Section RC-lOOl, "Design of New Nuclear Facilities (Reference 32), and several memoranda (References 33-36 between and within WSRC s Health Protection Department and Engineering and Projects Division, DOE has concluded that the programs in place indicate that the contractor is In compliance with the requirements of this section of the Order. 

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