Home > Field Guide for Health and Safety Officers: Radiological Incidents

Field Guide for Health and Safety Officers:
Radiological Incidents (New York City,
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 6/2014)

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  • About this document
    • Sections
      • Part I - Operational Guide
      • Part II - Background Information
    • Target audiences
      • First responders, health physics and occupational health personnel, public safety personnel, public health and medical professionals, senior incident/emergency managers
    • Authors: expert-vetted guidance from the following
      • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) with the NYC Securing the Cities Radiation Response and Recovery Committee and assistance from Domestic Nuclear Defense Operations (DNDO) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
    • Sponsors
      • This project/document was supported by funding from the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
    • Although this document does not represent HHS/ASPR policy, many document recommendations may be appropriate for other localities. Recommendations must be customized, as needed, by each venue.

Table of Contents

Part I: Field Guide
  • 1. General Information 6
    • 1.1 Radiological HSO Qualifications 6
    • 1.2 Rules of thumb 7
    • 1.3 Simple (and necessary) calculations 8
    • 1.4 Nuclide summary table 9
    • 1.5 Short summary of radiation-induced health effects 9
  • 2. Radiation dosimetry 10
    • 2.1 Regulatory requirements 10
    • 2.2 HSO Responsibilities 11
    • 2.3 Recommended alarm settings for alarming dosimeters 12
    • 2.4 Dosimeter issue log 13
    • 2.5 Record of assigned external dosimeters 14
  • 3. Radiation instruments and their use 15
    • 3.1 HSO responsibilities 15
    • 3.2 Selecting radiation instruments 15
    • 3.3 Radiation instrument readings and their significance 17
    • 3.4 Daily Instrument QC Checks 19
    • 3.5 Radiation Survey Data Form 20
  • 4. Personal Protective Equipment 21
    • 4.1 General guidance for PPE 21
    • 4.2 HSO responsibilities: 21
    • 4.3 PPE Levels 22
    • 4.4 Generic procedure for donning / doffing PPE 23
  • 5. ALARA and Radiation Dose Management 25
    • 5.1 ALARA Policy 25
    • 5.2 HSO Responsibilities 25
    • 5.3 Determining radiological stay times 26
    • 5.4 Total dose guidance levels for emergency responders 28
  • 6. Contamination Control and Decontamination 29
    • 6.1 HSO Responsibilities 29
    • 6.2 Priorities in caring for persons exposed to radiation and/or radioactivity 30
    • 6.3 Skin contamination intervention levels 31
    • 6.4 Personal decontamination guidance 32
    • 6.5 Equipment decontamination guidance 32
    • 6.6 Decontamination station recommended supplies list 33
  • 7. General radiation safety work practices 34
    • 7.1 Example radiation safety briefing 34
    • 7.2 Radiation dose reduction practices 35
    • 7.3 Contamination control practices 36
    • 7.4 Establishing and operating in radiologically controlled areas 36
    • 7.5 Exiting a controlled area 37
  • 8. Example Documentation and Record-keeping 39
    • 8.1 Form for initial entry into a radiological area 39
    • 8.2 Contamination Survey Sheet - CRCPD 40
    • 8.3 Contamination Survey Sheet-NYC DOHMH 41
    • 8.4 Bioassay Sample Form 42
  • 9. References to Part I 43
    • Appendix: Radiation Safety Considerations in a Hurry 44
Part II: Background Information
  • Introduction to the Field Guide 3
    • Overview of Field Guide3
    • How to use this document 4
  • 1. Overview and key points 7
    • 1.1 Types of Radiological Events 8
  • 2. Radiation Hazards 10
    • 2.1 Radiation Units and Terminology 10
    • 2.2 Overview of Radiation Effects 11
    • 2.3 Risk of Cancer (Stochastic Health Effects) 11
    • 2.4 Non-Stochastic Health Effects12
    • 2.5 Recommended Dose Limits13
    • 2.6 Health Risks at Exposure Doses above 5 rem13
    • 2.7 Exposure Concerns for Pregnant Women14
    • 2.8 General Considerations for Radiation Victims14
    • 2.9 Reminders for Medical Monitoring of Patients with Radiological Concerns15
  • 3. Radiation Dose Management17
    • 3.1 Emergency Responder Total Dose Guidance Levels17
    • 3.2 General Principles of Radiation Safety18
  • 4. Operating Zones and Public Safety Measures21
    • 4.1 Zone Definitions21
    • 4.2 Restrictions on Activities by Zone22
    • 4.3 Exposure limits for members of the public23
  • 5. Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)25
    • 5.1 Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a Radiological Incident25
    • 5.2 Overview of PPE Levels25
    • 5.3 Respiratory Protection26
    • 5.4 Considerations for Respirator Use27
  • 6. Radiation Protection Instrumentation30
    • 6.1 Internal Dosimetry (Sample kits/laboratories)33
  • 7. Decontamination35
    • 7.1 General Considerations35
    • 7.2 Model Decontamination Procedure35
  • 8. References to Part II38