Hanford External Dosimetry Technical Basis Manual PNL-MA-842

Abstract

The Hanford External Dosimetry Program (HEDP) provides support to the U.S. Department of Energy's Richland Operations Office (RL), Office of River Protection (ORP), Pacific Northwest Site Office (PNSO), and DOE contractor radiation protection organizations in determining doses-of-record from external sources of radiation. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) (a) administers the HEDP in coordination with Hanford contractor radiation protection organizations to ensure consistent site-wide implementation of external dosimetry practices for Hanford workers and visitors. Coordination of dosimetry practices at Hanford is accomplished through the Hanford Personnel Dosimetry Advisory Committee (HPDAC). Technical services provided by the HEDP include personnel, area, nuclear accident, and environmental dosimetry capabilities that comply with DOE requirements in 10 CFR 835, the DOE Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP) performance standard (DOE 1986a) and DOELAP handbook (DOE 1986b) as well as selected DOE guidance in the Radiological Control standard (DOE 1999a), and the External Dosimetry Program Guide (DOE 1999b). The primary purposes of this Hanford External Dosimetry Technical Basis Manual are to document the design and implementation of the external dosimetry system used at Hanford, and to document the rationale for the methods used. This manual includes documentation of the technical basis for the dosimeter design, processing protocols, dose calculation methodology, and recommended dosimeter use in the field, in a manner intended to demonstrate compliance with 10 CFR 835 and Hanford requirements and to ensure the defensibility of the doses of record. A secondary purpose of this manual is to provide general information on dosimeter response characteristics and guidance on the proper use and limitations