Good Practices in Health Physics (HPS 1998 Midyear)
Author: KompISBN: 9780944838846 ISBN10: 0944838847
Published: 1998 | |
OUT OF PRINT
Health Physics | January 1999
Health Physics, January 1999
"This book was prepared for use at the 1998 Health Physics Society Summer School at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. The Health Physics Society and the North Central Chapter of the Health Physics Society sponsored the textbook. As Academic Dean of the Summer School, Charles Roessler selected forty well-respected and knowledgeable contributors in formulating the summer school curriculum and the various chapters in this textbook.
"There are 26 chapters organized under 6 units: Unit 1, Introduction (73 pages, 3 tables); Unit 2, Regulatory Considerations (94 pages, 2 tables and 11 figures); Unit 3, Management of Radiation Safety Programs (228 pages, 20 tables and 17 figures); Unit 4, Radiation Safety Programs in the U.S. Department of Energy Complex (58 pages, 2 tables and 3 figures); Unit 5, Special Issues in Radiation Safety Management (72 pages, 11 tables and 9 figures); Unit 6, Computers and Electronic Media in Radiation Safety Management (77 pages, 18 tables and 4 figures).
"Each chapter is separately authored with references, suggested readings, and appendices cited at the end of chapters as opposed to the end of the book. Many chapters have concluding or summary remarks provided by the author(s). I found the Index fairly complete. The Table of Contents did not list the meticulously numbered and titled subchapters.
"Unit 1, Introduction, outlines the basics for organizing a radiation safety program and contains three chapters on the various radiation sources that programs are developed around including the administrative and operational elements. The various recommendations of the NCRP are discussed at length in order to guide the process of program development. One of the stronger sections of the text is the chapter titled "Management for the 21st Century." In this chapter are many management tools introduced in the 1990's such as empowerment, customer service, TQM, innovation, and re-engineering. There is great insight in the power and use of communication, shared goals, metrics and respect in achieving and maintaining a successful business. This chapter is also loaded with suggested additional reading.
"Unit 2, Regulatory Considerations, outlines the evolution of radiation safety standards and regulations with sections discussing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's programs and State regulatory programs. These chapters deal with the expectations of the regulatory community while the closing chapter, titled `Preparation of License Applications and Communicating With the Regulatory Agency,' outlines the various licensing steps and the planning process which should accompany them. The authors have cut through the regulatory minutia and provided a concise summary of the regulatory processes that govern licensing and control, which in turn drive radiation safety programs.
"Unit 3, Management of Radiation Safety Programs in Various Settings is a nine-chapter unit that describes, in detail, many of the differing types of radiation safety programs. Discussions on the integration of radiation programs in the environmental, health, and safety strategic planning included risk management, performance measures, due diligence, and bench marking. Ten university program synopses and metrics are provided as case studies. Specific sections on medical, academic, biomedical, industrial, nuclear power, gauges, small programs and NORM programs are presented. Details of specific programs such as those from MIT, NIH, and 3M Company are provided. The MIT program review has an especially interesting appendix discussing source security experiences. This unit is full of insight gained by the authors from their experience in the management and administration of radiation safety programs. The authors' unique perspectives provide for an interesting comparison of the differences and similarities of the various radiation safety programs. The discussions of program financing and staffing are particularly useful for those involved in bench marking or program appraisal. There are also several sections, which I found uniquely valuable for any radiation safety professional, that included incident response, audits, professional development, and cross-functional management.
"Unit 4, Radiation Safety Programs in the U.S. Department of Energy Complex, contains two chapters that provide an overview of the DOE's administration and management of radiation protection programs as well as innovative aspects of radiation protection management and administration responses by four DOE contractors. The matrixed approach to the oversight of the DOE contractor operations by the Savannah River Operations Office (DOE-SR) is also presented. The enforcement process that relies on self-reporting and correction within the matrix of oversight allows for regulatory compliance within the broad framework of individual DOE contractor operated radiation protection programs. The illustration of innovation at DOE sites is through discussions on training of technicians at Savannah River site; management and use of information at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory; and performance measuring developed at the University of California for the DOE sites it manages.
"Unit 5, Special Issues in Radiation Safety Management, discusses ISO management systems, ways to ‘add value' to your radiation safety program, training, and trends in nuclear power plant safety programs. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) information presented outlines the international effort to establish quality management systems, the U.S. activities in applying this approach to occupational safety and health, and an examination of how this approach might apply to radiation safety programs. The chapter on value-adding explores a case scenario of an experience at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center (UT-Houston) in which data analysis, or comprehensive surveys, were used to identify opportunities to perform non-radiation safety tasks in the conduct of normal radiation safety technician duties. Described through case study, which employed TQM methods, measurements and assessments of the services provided by the radiation safety office were re-engineered. Lastly, worker concerns were solicited in an effort to improve lab inspections in areas that reflected their health and safety concerns.
"An overview of radiation safety training requirements is also presented. Numerous NRC references are cited and a detailed listing of characteristics qualifying an RSO are provided. This chapter also provides an example of radiation training agenda for authorized users, radiation workers, ancillary personnel, and a self-study module for nurses used at the NIH. The section on Effective Presentation of Radiation Safety Training is a personal favorite. This section is a great stimulator for those who are involved in training and/or risk communication. The use of imagery, perception, discovery, credibility, and humor are combined to develop effective presentation of radiation safety training. The last chapter in this unit contains a broad overview of some radiological performance measures at commercial nuclear power facilities. Historical and recent events are presented as underlying conditions affecting radiological performance.
"Unit 6, Computer and Electronic Media in Radiation Safety Management, presents the final four chapters. These overview chapters could make for an entire summer school. The discussion includes computer hardware and software, records management, information access, and computer and web-based training. The authors also provide several case studies that discuss various office computer configurations and their related expense breakdowns. Computerized radiation safety records management is also evaluated in some detail. The options of custom programming vs. commercial applications are presented in a simple-to-understand manner. Suggestions and guidelines for developing your own system are addressed in both written and visual terms. This chapter also provides a table (listing required records), the regulatory citation, and the specified data retention period for each record.
"The chapter on information access and distribution deals with the Internet and access to it. Methods for connecting to the web are presented and include a discussion of the necessary software. There is a section on information resources that provides a wide array of information, which is relevant to the management of radiation safety programs. Included is information on nuclear data, regulatory programs, dosimetry, health physics topics, radiation-related organizations and publications as well as useful environmental non-radiation materials and radiological assessment. This chapter is loaded with web addresses, which in itself is worth the price of this book. The final chapter presents information on computer-based and web-based radiation safety training. Advantages and disadvantages of both are discussed as well as hardware and software needs.
"In summary, this text is certainly worth the cost. It serves as a great
reference as well as an introductory text for those embarking on development
of a radiation safety program. It has a wide spectrum of topics and covers
every aspect of radiation safety program management and administration. It
also provides a concise discussion of the management and administration of
a number of nationally recognized programs. It also outlines a number of
smaller programs and includes information on staffing and financial resources.
After reading this book, I only wish I had attended the summer school."
William A. Lorenzen
5 Cleveland Road
Waltham, MA 02354