Emergencies And Personnel Safety; Emergencies - QSA Global SENTINEL SENTRY 330 Manual

7. EMERGENCIES AND PERSONNEL
SAFETY.

7.1 Emergencies

During the termination of a radiographic exposure, observation of the survey meter provides an indication
of source movement while cranking the remote control handle. After retracting the sealed source into the
gamma-ray source projector, radiographers are required to perform a confirmatory survey of the gamma-
ray source projector, the projection sheaths and beam limiter when used. Performing a confirmatory
survey after a radiographic exposure is required by regulation and is the only method that the
radiographer should rely on to determine if a source assembly is in the fully shielded position within the
gamma-ray source projector. If the radiographer measures any radiation level that indicates the sealed
source is not fully shielded while performing the confirmatory survey, the radiographer must first
recognize that problem exists and then follow his company's emergency procedures.
conditions are those problems in which the source assembly cannot be returned to the shielded position
by normal means, specifically the remote control crank mechanism.
experienced by radiographers are where the source assembly becomes disconnected or when the source
assembly becomes jammed in the projection sheath while in an exposed position. The important safety
points for radiographers to follow are:

Always perform a confirmatory survey after each exposure. Never assume!

If higher than expected radiation levels are measured, recognize that an emergency exists.

Follow emergency procedures.

Do not attempt to retrieve the sealed source. Secure the area and notify the Radiation Safety Officer.
The radiography crew is limited to the following basic steps and must be adhered to
under regulation:
Immediately leave the area and maintain continuous surveillance of the high radiation area.
1
Adjust the restricted area boundary to ensure the measured dose/rate is < 2 mR/hr.
2
Do not allow anyone into the area.
Immediately notify the Radiation Safety Officer.
3
Do not leave the area unattended under any circumstances. Maintain security of the area until the
4
Radiation Safety Officer arrives at the site.
Do not under any circumstances attempt to retrieve the source. Performing source retrieval is a licensed
activity that allows only specially trained RSOs to respond to an emergency. This regulatory requirement
is the result of overexposures to radiographers attempting to handle emergency retrievals by themselves.
An unshielded source must not be picked up or handled at close range under any
circumstances. An unshielded source at close range can cause serious injury or death to
anyone who is exposed to it, even for a short duration of time.
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