EMERGENCY PLAN AND PROCEDURE IN INDUSTRY INVOLVING NORM/TENORM

Contents Introduction Types of Emergencies Transportation Accident Fire Injury to Personnel Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Hierarchy of Command Accident Reporting Monitoring and Assessment Immediate Control Measure Coordination With Authorities Emergency Equipment Decontamination Emergency Preparedness

Introduction Radiological emergency is defined as a situation that produces extraordinary or abnormal radiation exposure or contamination or both. Such emergency may originates from the processing and handling of NORM/TENORM. The uniqueness of this emergency over other radiological emergency makes handling of such emergency unique.

Types of Emergencies Emergency related to NORM/TENORM is largely attributed to accidental release or dispersion of mineral or dust containing TENORM into the environment. Such emergency happens due to: Accidental and uncontrolled discharge of effluent - transportation accident involving shipment of TENORM Fire in NORM processing plant. The water used in the extraction of valuable minerals containing TENORM is accidentally discharged into the open water system e.g. river. Uncontrolled or accidental discharge of effluent containing TENORM posed radiological hazards to the environment.

Transportation Accident TENORM are normally transported in bulk. An accident during transportation of TENORM can cause its dispersion or release into the environment and which subsequently lead to radiological contamination of man, the environment and living organisms. Transportation of TENORM should comply with regulations and guidelines as set by AELB.

Fire A fire in a TENORM facility or plant can cause a radiological emergency. High temperature from a fire incident facilitates spread or release of TENORM into the environment. The release results in abnormal and unwanted concentrations of radiological materials in the environment and could affect the public including the rescue teams.

Fire Fire and Rescue team members can be exposed to contamination from TENORM if they are not aware of such hazards. RPO needs to brief fire and rescue team on such potential radiological hazards prior to allowing them to response to a radiological emergency.

Injury to Personnel Personnel may be exposed to both external and internal radiation from NORM/TENORM. External radiation exposure is due to exposure of radiation present outside the body. Internal radiation exposure is due to exposure of radiation present inside the body. Modes of entry of radionuclides into the body are by: Ingestion Inhalation Absorption (through wound) Care must be taken prevent entry of radionuclides into the body during any emergency.

Emergency Response Plan (ERP) The emergency response plan for industry involving TENORM should be specific to the potential accidents arising from such industry. Objectives of emergency response plan are: To limit the radiation exposure to as low as reasonably achievable or lower than the permissible equivalent dose. Reduce the impact of the radiological accident. To bring the situation back to normal. To save life by providing first aid to victim.

Hierarchy of Command Success and failure of emergency response is dependent on the effectiveness in executing emergency response plan. Clear and operational hierarchy of command to manage emergency quickly and effectively should be established and implemented. Hierarchy of command for radiological emergency should be integrated with other occupational safety and health emergency hierarchy of command so as to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of response. The RPO/RPS should be competent to establish or ascertain that the radiological emergency situation has happened.

Hierarchy of Command The RPO may be appointed to act as Site Emergency Coordinator (SEC) with the overall command of the radiological emergency and to provide liaison with the authority (AELB) and external support teams. Example of external support team includes Fire and Rescue Department., First Aider, Radiological Monitoring Team, Decontamination Team, Historian and Record Keeper. RPO should declare that the radiological emergency is back to normal (emergency ended) and subsequently inform the relevant authorities of such action. Hierarchy of command must be reviewed periodically to ensure its effectiveness.

Accident Reporting There are two stages in the reporting of accident: Notification of accident; and Full accident investigation. Company or organisation must make it a policy for their workers to notify all incidences at the work place. The Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304) and Occupational Safety Health Act 1994 make it mandatory for licensee and employer to notify all accidents. AELB requires all accident to be notified to them verbally as soon as possible or within 24 hours of happening.

Accident Reporting RPO carries out a through investigation of the an accident when the an emergency is over and the condition is safe for him/her to carry out the investigation. The finding of an investigation is evaluated, the corrective and preventive measures recommended are to be implemented and subsequently monitored for completion. Full investigation report of the radiological accident is submitted by the RPO to AELB within 30 days from the date of accident.

Monitoring and Assessment The absorbed doses, dose rates and contamination levels of persons involved in the emergency and the emergency area should be determined using appropriate methods and equipments. All film badges and/or TLD worn by personnel involved in the accident shall be collected and sent to accredited institution for evaluation of the absorbed dose immediately. Radiation data collected via portable survey meter, personal dosimeter or area radiation monitoring system must be gathered, analysed and evaluated to ascertain ` contamination or exposure level. In the case of off site emergency , radiological environmental monitoring may be considered and conducted.

Immediate Control Measure In case of the release of radioactive material, an immediate control measure such as the following should be used to prevent a further release of radionuclide and safety protection of workers: Close the ventilation system to isolate the affected within or connected with incident area. Transfer the workers out away from the danger area to a safe area. Perform first aid / emergency treatment to victim (if any required). If require, Control access/egress to affected area by putting up barricade or warning sign to close the entrance to the affected area Inform RPO.

Coordination With Authorities Radiation emergency response action activities are coordinated with AELB and other relevance local authorities responsible in planning and responding to radiological emergency. The authorities involved in responding to radiological emergency include Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Nuclear Malaysia, Hospital, Malaysian Universities such as UKM, USM and external (IAEA) experts.

Emergency Equipment Radiation emergency equipment can be divided into two categories, i.e. radiation detection and measurement equipment and radiation protection equipment. Examples of radiation monitoring and measurement equipment are portable radiation survey meter, geiger meter etc. Examples of radiation protection equipment are: SCBA Chemical/radiation protection suit Contamination special suit Shielding materials, radiation sign, warning sign, first aid box

Decontamination Decontamination of an individual is to be supervised by RPO using an appropriate approved method, procedures and equipment. Decontamination on the injured of a radiation victim must be assisted and supervised by medical team. Surface decontamination at the working place is carried out by well trained decontamination team. The effectiveness of decontamination exercise is assessed, evaluated and verified by RPO. Completion of any decontamination procedure to be declared by RPO.

Emergency Preparedness The emergency response plan should be informed to all radiation workers. All radiation workers should be familiar with the contents of the emergency response plan and relevant procedures. The radiation workers involved in emergency response should be properly explained and trained on the procedures of the emergency response plan. The emergency response plan should be tested, by conducting regular drills.

Summary

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