This document outlines the key elements of a radiation protection program for facilities using nuclear gauges and well logging tools. It discusses the responsibilities of management, radiation protection officers, and workers. It describes the classification of controlled and supervised areas and requirements for area and individual monitoring, record keeping, training, emergency planning, and auditing the radiation protection program. The overall goal is to ensure radiation exposures are adequately controlled and safety measures are followed.

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5th BAERA Training Course on Radiation Protection for Radiation
Control Officers (RCOs) of Industrial Practices
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority
Agargaon, Dhaka
06-09 November 2017
L9 Radiation Protection Programme for
Nucleonic Gauge and Nuclear Well-
Logging Practices
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory
Authority

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Contents
Nuclear Gauge and Well-Logging tools
Elements of RPP
Structure of the RPP
Responsibilities
Classification of areas
Local rules and supervision (RPO)
Radiation monitoring
Record Keeping
Emergency plans
Audit and review

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Nuclear Gauge and Well-Logging Tools
Nuclear Gauge : Consists basically of a shielded
radiation source and a radiation detector. Sources
are used in
Gamma gauges :
caesium-137
cobalt-60
americium-241
Beta gauges :
krypton-85 (encapsulated gas)
strontium-90 (foil source)
promethium-147 (foil source)
Detector
Material Flow
Shutter
Control
Shielding
Source
Shutter
(Closed)

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Nuclear Gauge and Well-Logging Tools
Neutron gauges :
americium-241/beryllium
plutonium-238/beryllium
Application :
i) Density : Rubber, oils, fabric, paper, cement,
mud, liquids, chemical products etc
ii) Thickness: Paper, glass, steel, plastic films
iii) Level: Vessels, silos, chemical products,
minerals, beverages, cooking oil
iv) Moisture : Glass, cement, minerals

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Nuclear Gauge and Well-Logging Tools
Well-logging tools: ‘logging tools’ is
placed in the well to measure physical
parameters in the well, the geological
properties of the rocks around the well, and
the presence of elements in the rocks. These
well logging equipment measure fluid
temperature, pressure, density, and flow
rates; detect casing corrosion and hardware;
and measure rock density, porosity and
isotopic content. Some of the tools contain
one or more radiation detectors and
radioactive sources or a machine that
generates ionizing radiation .
Radioactive
Source Port
Detectors

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Radiation Protection Programme (RPP)
Briefly RPP reflects :
Management responsibility for radiation
protection and safety
Development of safety culture
Safety assessment of the facility

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Structure of the RPP
As per BSS, RPP should include
the following points :
responsibilities of concerned
personnel
classification of areas
local rules
supervision arrangements,
including RPO appointment
arrangements for area monitoring
arrangements for individual
monitoring

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Structure of the RPP
record keeping
education, information and training
emergency plans
health Surveillance
quality Assurance
reviewing/ auditing the RRP

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Responsibilities
Management
Obtain necessary authorizations
Provide necessary facilities, personnel,
equipment and training
establish and maintain a “safety first”
culture
Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)
Implement the RPP
Implement the local rules
Provide information and training

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Responsibilities
Operators and Workers
Become familiar with equipment, safety and
warning systems
Become familiar with any local rules and
adhere to them
Notify the RPO of any unusual occurrences
Use all safety equipment provided

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Classification of Areas
A controlled area is an area where procedural
controls are required in order to restrict radiation
exposures
A supervised area is one that does not require
classification as a controlled area, but where
exposure conditions should be kept under review.

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Controlled Areas
Examples of controlled areas associated
with nuclear gauges are:
around portable gauges (eg soil moisture
probes and nuclear density gauges) during use
and transport
inside portable source stores
around fixed gauges during some maintenance
operations
inside vessels on which level gauges are fitted

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Controlled Areas
Examples of controlled areas associated
with well logging are:
around the borehole head during use
inside the source store
around the logging tool during source loading
operations
around the source containers during transport
of equipment

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Controlled Area Requirements
Demarcation
Restriction of access
Signs
Monitoring
Local rules

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Local Rules
Working in a controlled area must be
carried out in accordance with written local
rules.
Local rules should include:
name of person(s) responsible for supervising
the work
description of controlled and supervised areas
general radiation safety measures
dose investigation levels
emergency plans

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Supervised Areas
Examples of supervised areas associated
with nuclear gauges are:
around fixed gauges (gamma and beta)

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Supervised Area Requirements
Delineation
Signs
Monitoring

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Supervision
Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)
supervises the work
Ensures any local rules are followed
Should be enough RPOs to ensure
adequate supervision at all times

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Area Monitoring
Monitoring of radiation dose
rate required for all controlled
and supervised areas
Records of monitoring
should be kept
Purpose of monitoring is to
ensure that radiation levels
remain within expected limits
Good idea to set action levels
above which steps are taken to
reduce the radiation dose rate

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Individual Monitoring
Required for all those who work in controlled
areas
May require assessment of gamma and neutron
dose
Records of individual monitoring must be kept
Purpose of monitoring is to demonstrate that
exposures are adequately controlled
Investigation level must be set

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Individual Dosemeters
TLD - gamma, X, neutron and
beta
Film - gamma, X and beta
Consult Qualified Expert
regarding type of dosemeter and
wear period
Electronic Pocket dosemeters

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Record keeping
Source accountancy
– updated frequently for portable gauges
Dose rate monitoring results
Checks on safety systems and warning devices
Equipment maintenance
Source leak test certificates
Radiation monitoring instrument test certificate

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Education, information and training
Training of RPO
Radiation awareness training for other staffs
– nature of the hazard
– extent of any controlled or supervised areas
– requirements of local rules
– emergency plans

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Emergency Plans
Consider reasonably foreseeable accidents
Provide instruction to limit the consequences
Rehearse periodically

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Protection of the public
Emergency plans to consider possible accidents
involving the public, eg loss or theft of a source
necessary precautions
actions to limit consequences
liaison with Emergency Services

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Audits and Reviews
Aim : To enhance the effectiveness and
efficiency of the RPP
Objectives :To identify and correct problems that
may prevent the achievement of the programme's
objectives.

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