Professional Documents
Culture Documents
HSE STANDARD
MODULE 20
IONISING RADIATION
SAFETY
Document Control
DOCUMENT TYPE DOCUMENT OWNER SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Standard SEN/1 Unclassified
DOCUMENT REFERENCE AUTHOR APPROVED BY
TMS1631 HSE/41 HSE
KEY WORDS
Ionisation, Radiactive, safety, source, register
Revision Record
REV REVISION DESCRIPTION DATE
st
1.0 1 Issue
2.0 2nd Issue March 1999
rd
3.0 3 Issue – converted to MS-Word from Pagemaker; removed references to July 2001
asset holders, RA Committee; converted to TMS format; inserted references to
Brunei legislation
4.0 4th Issue – Approval and Ownership changes January 2006
4.10 clause (n) BLNG – source strength limit included.
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Distribution of this document is controlled by the Document Owner. The document is located on the
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Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1 INTRODUCTION
Radioactive substances are in common use in the oil and gas industry and although there are
known hazards associated with them, experience has shown that with proper controls applied,
they can be used safely without risk to health, or the environment.
Two sources of ionising radiation are encountered in BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES activities,
with a third which exists in only insignificant quantities but could increase in the future.
• The first source is radioactive substances, either sealed or unsealed.
• The second source is X-ray machines.
• The third source is naturally occurring, low specific activity (LSA) radioactive substances.
These sources emit ionising radiations capable of inducing three categories of biological effect
which are injuries, long term risks and genetic; these are further described below.
The injuries or acute effects appear in the weeks immediately following exposure to a high dose
of radiation. Usually, injuries are localised in relatively small areas and appear as deep burns.
The effects may also be more general and result in nausea, vomiting and an overall feeling of
being unwell. The severity is proportional to the dose received and in extreme cases can prove
fatal.
The long term risks or chronic effects are less obvious. There is some evidence that if high
doses are received to the whole body, exposure may slightly increase the likelihood of cancer
being developed.
All the known data on genetic effects has been largely obtained from animal experiments.
There is no data which associates any genetic effects with the normal exposures to be
anticipated in the industrial uses of radioactive substances.
The purpose of this standard is to clearly specify the levels of safety required for work involving
ionising radiation. Compliance with this standard will ensure that:
• work is properly controlled.
• safeguards are in place to protect the health of people carrying out work with ionising
radiations.
• safeguards are in place to protect the health of other people and the general public.
• proper records are kept and maintained.
• radioactive materials are stored, transported and disposed of properly.
Special Note
In addition to the legislation of Brunei Darussalam for radiation matters, BRUNEI SHELL JV
COMPANIES has adopted the International and United Kingdom legislation listed towards the
end of this document (see Section 8 - References).
The RFP is to ensure that the requirements are adequate and advise contract holders on
incorporating into contract documents, and that control measures within line management are
implemented and adhered to at all times (e.g. supervision, classification of workers, auditing,
etc.)
The RFP is responsible for acquiring and maintaining records and registers for Classified
Workers and equipment.
2.2.7 Contractor
The Contractor shall:
• Be responsible for the protection of workers, members of the public and also the
environment. He shall ensure that none of the annual dose limits prescribed in this
document will be exceeded for the protections of workers and members of the public.
• Ensure that record of the Contractor and Ionising Radiation Worker, registeration certificate
and pass respectively, are valid and up to date.
• Ensure the provision of RPO and RPS(s) in accordance with the requirements set out in this
document.
• Ensure the provision and control of properly trained, competent Classified Workers.
• Be fully responsible for the conduct of his subcontractors.
• Be responsible for radioactive sources and radiation generators at all times.
• Be responsible for the storage, transportation and safe handling of sources and radiation
generators.
• Ensure that his Local Rules and procedures pertaining to ionising radiation protection are
complied with.
• Periodically Audit for compliance. ( refer to Appendix E ).
3 LOCAL RULES
The regulations upon which this standard is based requires every employer who undertakes
work with ionising radiations to set down, in writing, Local Rules for the conduct of that work.
Work with ionising radiations at BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES locations is carried out by
specialist Contractors and they shall, therefore, prepare Local Rules for their operations. This
shall be carried out in consultation with the RPO and/or RPS.
Local Rules shall contain as a minimum, but not limited to:
• Roles and responsibilities of the RPO and RPS(s).
• Calculation models to calculate radiographic boundry and stay time, and it’s importance.
• A description of each controlled and supervised area (see below). These areas sometimes
exist only temporarily, for example during radiography, loading sources into wireline tools,
or working with sludge or scale contaminated with LSA radioactivity. In such cases, the
descriptions shall show how the controlled and supervised areas are to be determined (i.e.
the measurements of dose rate and contamination levels) and their boundaries marked.
• Written systems of work which give details of the procedures by which non-Classified
Workers may work in controlled areas. Examples of situations which will require a written
system of work are:
1. entry to a controlled area around an installed instrument solely for the purpose of
opening or closing its shutter.
2. entry to a controlled area around the designated source store to carry out routine
monitoring.
3. carrying out work involving exposure to LSA radioactive scale.
• Procedures for restricting access to controlled areas, e.g. supervision, warning signs,
signals, etc.
• Contingency plansfor each BRUNEI SHELL JV Companies, work area, either on or offshore.
• The names and designations of persons appointed as RPA, RPS(s) and Competent Persons.
• The strategy for monitoring dose rates and contamination levels.
• Any additional requirements to ensure safe operations at all times and to limit exposure to
non-radiological workers and members of the public.
A complete set of Local Rules from each Contractor required to prepare them shall be held by
the contract holder. Copies shall be made available to employees who may be affected by the
work.
Controlled and Supervised Areas
The following definitions which are also reproduced in the Glossary, are based on the definitions
given in the regulations upon which this standard is based, namely SI 1985: No. 1333 (Part III -
Designation of controlled and supervised areas)
Controlled Area A defined area in which doses of ionising radiation are likely to exceed
three-tenths of any specified dose limit.
Supervised Area A defined area in which doses of ionising radiation are likely to exceed
one third of the limits specified for a Controlled Area.
4 RADIOLOGICAL OPERATION
4.1 Personnel
All personnel shall :
• Comply with all BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES requirements relating to the use of
radioactive sources, including full adherence to written procedures relating to individual
operations.
• Cooperate in implementing safe systems of work to minimise the risk of exposure to ionising
radiation.
• Report to their supervisors any deficiencies noted in the control of ionising radiation
sources.
• Understand the meaning of radiation warning symbols/signs and the requirement to
restrict access to controlled areas.
Note: Individuals below the age of 18 years shall not be involved in radiological work.
4.2 Contractor
Only Contractor registered with the Radiation Laboratory (Department Of Scientific Services,
Ministry of Health) shall be allowed to carry out ionising radiation operations within Brunei
Shell JV Companies. Record of contractor’s registeration shall be submitted to the contract
holder.
Before the Contractor commences any ionising radiation work, the contractor shall provide a
copy of their written local rules to the contract holder for approval as described in Section 3.
The Contractor shall make the written appointment of an RPS with overall responsibility within
the Contractor’s organisation. The appointment shall be notified to the appropriate BRUNEI
SHELL JV COMPANIES Contract Holder. The Contractor RPS will act as the first point of
contact for action on radiation safety matters.
The name and telephone numbers of the Contractor RPS shall be prominently displayed at all
sites where radioactive sources are used or stored.
The Contractor RPS must be present at the worksite to supervise the application of the
appropriate radiation protection regulations, and procedures. In addition he shall administer
and maintain relevant records required by BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES.
The Contractor RPS shall liaise with the BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES RFP and Asset Holder
on all matters concerning the execution of ionising radiation work.
• Ensure that their status as Classified Workers is conveyed to medical personnel during
either routine or accident treatment so that dose rates are taken into account.
• Verify that their personal dose record is adequately controlled and follows them to
successive employers.
4.4 Equipment
All equipment shall be maintained in good, clean, working order, and be checked regularly by
an RPS at each site. A record of these checks shall be kept, showing details of any defects
found and the actions taken to remedy them. Equipment shall be examined annually.
All equipment shall be provided with the means of preventing unauthorised use. When not in
use or in transit, all equipment shall be kept in a locked store reserved exclusively for
radioactive materials, so as to minimise the risk of its coming in to the possession of
unauthorised or untrained personnel.
Where necessary and to ensure safety at all times, all equipment (e.g. containers) is to be
inspected/tested by independent, external bodies
4.8 Shielding
For radiography sources, collimators shall be used wherever possible. In order to limit scattered
radiation, additional shielding shall be considered, for example by means of mobile protective
lead screens.
Scatter radiation from X-ray generators shall be limited by the use of collimators and back
shielding.
When working on site, all available radiation obstructions such as pipes and concrete walls
shall be used to reduce exposure to radiation dose rates.
Information on new developments in radiation shielding should be addressed to the Contract
Holder.
e) At certain times during radiation work, the 7.5 µSv.h-1 boundary level may have to be
exceeded due to the constraints of production or of space. These exceptions shall be kept to
a minimum and the approval of the Asset Holder obtained. The 7.5 µSv.h-1 level may also
be exceeded during preparations for well logging. This shall only be a transient excursion
while the tool is moved and before it is positioned downhole. This can be accepted with the
support of HIP. Every attempt shall be made to keep the levels to a minimum and non-
essential personnel are clear of the area.
f) Warning signs in both Malay and English shall be posted at the boundaries to exclude all
but authorised Classified Workers. The notices shall be not less than 80cm x 50cm in size,
shall display the radiation warning symbol as specified in BS5378 and shall include the
name, address and contact telephone number of the site RP0/RPS. (See Figure 2).
g) No drinks or food shall be allowed in controlled areas.
h) When establishing controlled areas, Contractors shall ensure that monitoring is carried out
at the floor levels above and below the area involved to ensure radiation dose rates are not
being exceeded.
i) When ionising radiations are being used, particular attention shall be paid to the location of
ultra-violet flame detectors or other devices which may be affected and require to be
inhibited prior to the start of work. If in doubt, contact the appropriate Area Authority.
j) In addition to marking the boundaries, adequate warning shall be given to all in the vicinity.
An announcement shall be made over the public address system before radiography or
logging starts, stating the areas affected and the likely duration of the work.
k) Further warnings are required when radiography work is carried out. These shall take the
form of a pre-warning immediately before the source is exposed and a separate warning
during source exposure. The requirement to give a pre-warning is important, so that people
who may be inside the radiation areas can clear out in good time. An acceptable system is
for a whistle to be blown during the pre-warning phase and for flashing lights to be used
during the source exposure.
l) Frequent monitoring shall be carried out during radiography or logging work to ensure that
the dose rate at the barriers is not being exceeded. This shall be done by the Contractor.
On occasions the authorised person appointed by the Contract Holder shall check the dose
rates at the barriers using the installation monitors.
m) Some radiographic work involves the use of projection-type containers where the radioactive
source is wound out, either manually or mechanically, to the end of a projection tube. The
source can stick in the projection tube and radiation overdoses have occurred as a result. A
monitor shall be used to confirm that a radioactive source has been wound back into its
container.
n) Safety is enhanced by limiting the number and total activity of available ionising radiation
sources on the location. In normal circumstances, no radioactive source larger than the
equivalent of those shown below shall be kept on location:
Offshore - 925 GBq (25 curies) Iridium 192
Onshore - 1295 GBq (35 curies) Iridium 192
6 STORAGE
c) The store shall not be placed in an area where in the event of damage it is likely to restrict
access to fire points, lifeboats, helideck or emergency equipment and be kept at a place as
far as reasonably practicable from any hazardous areas and any living accommodation.
d) The store shall be located such that it can be recovered during an emergency situation and
it shall have at least a 5m separation from any explosives store or locker.
e) The store should be monitored regularly by a competent person appointed by the
contractor. If the surface dose rates are being exceeded then the matter should be taken up
with the contractor RPS without delay and brought to the attention of the Contract Holder.
f) In the event that the RPS or competent person is working on a day visit basis, the key to the
store shall be in the possession of the Toolpusher or Senior Operations Supervisor, as
appropriate.
g) Details of ionising radiation material on location shall be noted in the main control
room/office.
b) A vertical steel tube 450mm to 600mm diameter and about 1.5m to 1.8m long and plate
thickness minimum 10mm with a welded base sunk into the ground with sufficient
protrusion to enable a securely hinged lockable steel lid to be fitted.
c) With a “coat hanger” type bracket fitted inside the tube near the top so that the isotope
containers may be lowered by means of a rope tied to the bracket to facilitate subsequent
removal. The whole assembly should be waterproof.
d) Maintained clean and free from debris at all times to prevent fire.
e) Enclosed at a distance of at least 1.5m by a fence with a lockable gate and the keys for the
enclosure and storage pit held by an authorised person.
f) With an effective dose rate outside the storage place in areas accessible to members of the
public not exceeding 1 µSv.h at a distance of 1.0m.
g) Fitted with sufficient safety signs or warnings in indelible print in both English and Malay
at the lockable entry to the cage. Names and telephone numbers of the Company’s RPA or
RPS shall also be displayed for use during an emergency.
A survey meter shall be made available to provide early detection of high dose rates.
7 TRANSPORTATION
7.2 Labelling
All packages containing radioactive substances must be labelled with one of the three types of
label described and illustrated below. Minimum two labels are required for a package. They
should be attached on the opposite sides of the package for better indication. This applies even
if the source or substance is exempt from registration (see Section 5.3).
Category I White A diamond shape in black and white with one red strip. It shall be used
when the dose rate does not exceed 5 µSv.h-1 (0.5 mR/h) at the surface.
Category II Yellow A diamond shape in black, white and yellow with two red strips. It shall be
used when the dose rate does not exceed 500 µmSv./h (50mR/h) at the
surface or 10 µmSv/h (1mR/h) at a distance of 1 metre.
Category III Yellow A diamond shape in black, white and yellow with three red stripes. It shall
be used when the dose rate does not exceed 2 mSv./h (200mR/h) at the
surface and 100 µSv.h (10mR/h) at a distance of 1 metre.
Note: Nearly all radioactive substances sent to BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES sites or
installations will carry yellow labels.
Figure 8 - Transport Labels
7.3 Packaging
The consignor must ensure that the package is of the correct standard for the radioactive
substance to be carried. There are two types of package:
Type A packages are designed to prevent loss or dispersal of the radioactive contents and to
retain shielding under normal conditions of transport which includes minor mishap, e.g. falling
from the tailboard of a lorry.
Type B packages must in general meet Type A requirements and in addition, be designed to
withstand severe accident conditions including fire. Type B packages shall be used for all
transportation of radioactive substances by air and sea.
Figure 9 - Type B Source Container Secured for Transit
The type shall be clearly marked on the outside of the package and any Type B package must be
of a design approved by a competent authority in the country of origin. A copy of the certificate
of approval must accompany the package.
• Packages bearing white or yellow labels must not be carried in compartments occupied by
passengers and crew.
• The minimum distance that radioactive packages may be kept from the passenger
cabin/flight deck boundary is given in table 9, Part 2B, Section 10 of the IATA Regulations.
• The total sum of the Transport Indices shall not exceed 50 with a limit of 10 per package.
All types of source currently in use offshore can be carried in accordance with IATA Regulations
on helicopter flights if required. The IATA Dangerous Goods declaration form shall be
completed prior to consignment.
• All such vehicles should carry at least one spare tyre and a tool kit for emergency repairs to
the vehicle
• The level of radiation in the driving compartment and at any external surface of the vehicle
shall be as low as reasonably achievable and in the case of the driver and any passengers
who are not Classified Workers, shall not exceed 2.5 µSv.h-1.
• The driver must not leave any vehicle containing radioactive material unattended or out of
sight, without reasonable cause. In all cases, the vehicle must be locked and/or the
package otherwise secured against removal.
• Any vehicle containing radioactive material must not be parked for more than ONE hour
unless there is a clear space of at least 2 metres all around the vehicle when it is parked.
• The driver of a registered contractor or forwarding agent must be fully briefed by the
Contractor’s RPS and must have attended the course on safe handling and transportation of
radioactive materials conducted by the Ministry of Health. .
• The Driver & Vehicle must also comply with the Land Transport Manual, TMS 0711
Manpower Standard, and TMS 0439, Vehicle Standard.
All suspected over-exposures must be medically examined as directed by the Contract Holder or
appointed Medical Officer.
8 REFERENCES
8.4 SIEP
Shell Safety & Health Committee “Ionising Radiation Safety Guide” November 1993.
SIPM Radiation Safety Manual for Well Logging Operation issued in September 1991, Report
EP91-1645.
GLOSSARY
Activity (A) The attribute of a quantity of a radionuclide. Describes the rate at
which nuclear transformations occur within it.
Unit of measure is becquerel, symbol Bq. 1Bq = 1 transformation per
second.
(Pre-SI unit of measure: curie, symbol Ci. 1Ci = 3.7 x 1010 Bq)
Becquerel (Bq) The unit measure of activity. One becquerel equals one nuclear
transformation per second.
1Bq = 2.7 x 10-11 Ci
Collimator A device used to reduce the radiation level emitted from a radioactive
source, except in the desired direction.
Controlled Area A defined area in which doses of ionising radiation are likely to exceed
three-tenths of any specified dose limit.
Decay The process of spontaneous transformation of a radionuclide, i.e. the
decrease in activity of a radioactive substance.
Dosemeter A device used to detect and measure ionising radiation, e.g. a pencil-
size ionisation chamber with a self-reading electrometer. Used for
personal monitoring.
Exposure A measure of the ionisation produced by X or Gamma radiation.
Film Badge A pack of photographic film which measures personal radiation
exposure. The badge may contain films and filters to measure
different types of radiation.
Gonads The organs producing reproductive cells in humans and animals, i.e.
ovaries and testes.
Gray (Gy) A unit denoting the quantity of energy imparted by ionising radiation
to unit mass of matter such as human tissue. Unit of measure is
Gray.
One Gy = one joule per kilogram.
Half-life The time taken for the activity of a radionuclide to lose half its value
through decay.
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency.
ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection.
ICRP-26 was the basis for the September 1983 Shell Ionising
Radiation Safety Guide.
ICRP-60 of 1990 set new dose limits as a result of review of risk
factors, and redefined several radiological protection concepts. It
forms the basis for the current Shell Ionising Radiation Safety Guide.
Ionisation The process by which a neutral atom or molecule acquires or loses an
electrical charge. The production of ions.
Ionising Radiation Radiation that produces ionisation in matter. Types are alpha
particles, beta particles, gamma-rays, X-rays and neutrons.
Local Rules No two work sites have exactly the same combination of layout,
activities and personnel and because of these differences and their
significance in the context of radiography, local rules are required for
each site. The rules must describe each controlled and supervised
area, specify the requirement for Permit control of work and cover all
systems of work for the specific location. Local rules are drawn up in
consultation with the RPA.
LSA Scale Low Specific Activity Radioactive Scale is scale deposited on the
internal walls of tubulars, pipes and vessels. Its radioactivity
originates in the naturally-occuring salts in an oil reservoir and they
are released by the chemicals added to the water injected into the
reservoir for pressure maintenance.
Natural Radioactivity Terrestial sources of natural radiation are the very long-lived
radionuclides that have existed within the Earth since its creation.
Another source is the high-energy radiation that enters the Earth's
atmosphere from outer space, the so-called cosmic rays.
NDT Non-Destructive Testing of components and equipment using
techniques such as dye penetration, ultrasonics or radiography.
NRPB National Radiological Protection Board of UK. An independent public
authority set up in response to legislative requirements to advance
knowledge on the protection of mankind from radiation hazards and
provide advice to persons with responsibility for radiological
protection.
Radiation Monitoring Periodic or continuous determination of the quantity of ionising
radiation or radioactive contamination present.
Area Monitoring is the determination of radiation levels or
contamination in a particular area, building, room or piece of
equipment.
Personal Monitoring is the determination of radiation levels or
contamination for an individual, his breath, excretions or any part of
his clothing.
Radioactive Waste Useless material containing radionuclides. Frequently categorised
according to activity and other criteria, e.g. low level (LSA),
intermediate and high level waste. The disposal of radioactive waste is
subject to international legislation.
Radiological Protection The science and practice of limiting the harm to human beings from
radiation.
IRPA Independent Radiation Protection Advisor. An organisation or an
approved person providing advisors and conducts Radiation audits for
BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES.
RFP Radiation Focal Point. The appointed person within a BRUNEI SHELL
JV COMPANIES department or division who has been nominated by
line management as the point of contact on radiation matters.
RPA Radiation Protection Adviser. The appointed person responsible for
providing specialist advice on the subject of radiation protection.
RPS Radiation Protection Supervisor. The appointed person responsible
for the area in which work with ionising radiation is being carried out.
SI The abbreviation for Systeme International d'Unites (International
System of Units), the measuring convention based on the primary
units of mass (kilogram), length (metre) and time (second).
Sievert (Sv) The unit of effective dose equivalent, it has the dimension of joules per
kilogram. The dose equivalent in Sieverts is numerically equal to the
absorbed dose in Grays multiplied by the quality factor.
Supervised Area A defined area in which doses of ionising radiation are likely to exceed
one third of the limits specified for a Controlled Area.
TLD A thermoluminescent dosemeter badge constructed from material
which, having been irradiated, releases light in proportion to the
radiation absorbed when subsequently heated.
X-rays Discrete quantities of electromagnetic energy without mass or charge.
Energy contained much higher than that of visible light. Usually
produced by bombarding a metallic target with fast electrons in high
vacuum, as occurs in an X-ray machine. In some countries, X-rays
are called Rontgen rays.
All incidents involving radioactive substances must be reported and investigated in accordance
with BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES HSE Standard Module 30 - Incident Classification and
Reporting; and BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES HSE Standard Module 31 - Incident
Investigation Procedure.
Examples of incidents are:
• Wearing expired film badge; 2
• Film badge not being worn; 2
• Vehicle carrying a radioactive substance without Radiation Hazard warning
Signs displayed; 2
• Vehicle displaying Radiation Hazard warning signs found parked in shopping
area for coffee break; 3
Any activity which takes place in the potentially hazardous environment of the oil and gas
industry must be properly planned, organised and managed if it is to take place without
incident. These guidelines provide information which may be useful both in operational
management and in the preparation of Local Rules, by either BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES
or its Contractors, for application in the conduct of activities involving ionising radiation.
Topics which need to be addressed include the following:
• Assessment of potential health hazards to workers and members of the public.
• Assessment of safety features and devices in the design and construction of an installation
or facility.
• Formulation and implementation of Operational Rules and Procedures for the safe operation
of the installation or for safe working practice.
The inherent protection provided by the design of the installation must always be
supplemented by actions taken by the operator or worker to protect himself. Well defined
operational procedures, local rules and instructions shall be formulated and personnel
involved in the operation with ionising radiation must be familiar with, and must observe,
these procedures, rules and instructions.
• Establishment and implementation of personnel and area surveillance and, where
appropriate, environmental surveillance.
Personnel surveillance includes personnel monitoring and assessment of radiation dose
and medical or health surveillance. The appropriate devices to monitor and assess the
radiation dose of the individual worker under normal and emergency conditions shall be
provided. The results of personnel dose monitoring and assessment shall be used to verify
adequacy and effectiveness of the protective measures in ensuring that the doses received
by the workers are as low as reasonably achievable and do not exceed dose limits. The
medical surveillance of personnel shall comprise of periodic medical examinations and in
cases of over exposure, special medical attention as recommended by the Medical Officer.
Medical surveillance is necessary to ensure that the health of the worker is not adversely
affected by his work and that no worker continues to be employed contrary to qualified
medical advice.
Area Surveillance - Appropriate instruments and techniques shall be made available for
monitoring external radiation and radioactive contamination in the working areas under
normal and emergency conditions. Besides regular monitoring, radiation measurement
shall also be made during the commissioning of a new installation and when modifications
are made to existing installations which are likely to affect the radiation protection
parameters.
Environmental surveillance of areas outside an establishment where radiation sources are
used or stored is necessary to ensure that the radiation doses to members of the public do
not exceed dose limits. Depending on the operations within the establishment, it may be
necessary to conduct periodic or special surveys. When justified by the nature and scale of
the operations, appropriate instruments and techniques should be made available for the
monitoring of external radiation or radioactive contamination outside the establishment
under normal and emergency conditions. Appropriate effluent monitoring is necessary
when radioactive dusts, aerosols, gases or liquids may be released in sufficient amounts to
the environment.
• Provision for checking and calibration of radiation monitoring instruments.
All monitoring instruments must be checked for compliance and shall be calibrated at
annual intervals, as per manufacturers’ guidelines or by approved standard laboratories.
• Establishment of a system for the collection and maintenance of relevant records.
All records relevant to radiation protection shall be kept and maintained in an appropriate
manner to facilitate their effective retrieval and utilisation. Among the important and
relevant records to be kept and maintained are the following:
- Inventory of radiation sources.
- Personnel dose records.
- Medical examination record.
- Area monitoring data.
- Environmental monitoring data.
1 Administration
Full details of emergency responses are contained in BSP Emergency Co-Ordination Procedures
(TMS0358 and TMS0385). The emergency response flowchart from these procedures is
reproduced at the end of this appendix.
For every contract for the provision of ionising radiation services, the Contract Holder and
Contractor shall prepare specific emergency procedures as part of the requirement for Local
Rules and these procedures shall be regularly reviewed and updated.
The RPS appointed by the contractor for the site or installation shall be fully trained and
equipped to take immediate action in an emergency, to ensure that no person is exposed to
avoidable radiation.
He shall have the skill and knowledge of contingency plans and have suitable equipment
available. It is not intended that the BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES RFP shall carry out the
emergency procedures listed below but he should be aware of the requirements and be available
to provide assistance. He shall also carry out regular checks of the contractor’s emergency
equipment to ensure that it is complete and in working order.
These emergency procedures will normally apply when a radioactive source becomes detached
or lost on an installation. If a radioactive source or tool is lost down the hole during well
logging, the BSP authorised person and the Asset Holder in charge shall be informed at once.
There will normally be no need to invoke further emergency procedures.
Most radiation incidents are due either to a source failing to return to a projection type
radiography container at the end of an exposure, or to a source becoming separated during or
after use. Because the work shall be isolated within a suitably marked area, there will already
be barriers in position and since radiation monitors are being used, the presence of an
unshielded source should be apparent immediately. Experience has shown that when this
happens, quite large sources can be brought into a safe condition without anyone receiving an
excessive exposure.
In the event of an emergency which cannot be managed with the resources available on site, the
following actions shall be taken:
ONSHORE
• Evacuate the affected area,
• Isolate the affected area,
• Contact the Contractor RPA or RPS for technical advice.
• Call Panaga 37-2999 and state:
- the nature of the emergency,
- the location of the emergency,
- your name and telephone number,
- action already taken.
OFFSHORE
• Evacuate the affected area,
• Isolate the affected area,
• Contact the Senior Operations Supervisor (SOS),
• Contact the Contractor RPA or RPS for technical advice,
• Establish communications with VSL and state:
- the nature of the emergency,
- the location of the emergency,
- action already taken.
2 Emergency Equipment
The minimum requirements are:
- Audible alarm monitor.
- Quartz fibre electrometer and charging device or other integrating dose meter.
- Handling tongs.
- Flashing Lights (i.e beacons)
- Pliers.
- Screwdriver.
- Adjustable spanner or wrench.
- Other hand tools which are appropriate for the particular equipment.
- Bags of lead shot (2kg per bag), for which at least two are required for radiography sources.
- Approved Emergency Container.
The following items are used to hoist up the end of a projection tube to help return a detached
source to its container by gravity :
- Tripod 2 metres high.
- Ropes.
c) If the source is not found within an hour, inform the RPS, the BRUNEI SHELL JV
COMPANIES RFP and the Police.
d) If a vehicle containing a source is missing, immediately inform the Police, the BRUNEI
SHELL JV COMPANIES RFP and the BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES RAC.
1 Purpose
The purpose of an Ionising Radiation Safety Review is to measure the level of compliance with
safety standards that is being achieved by the people involved in work with radioactive
substances and identify areas where improvements can be made. Reviews are an integral part
of the Contract Holder and Contractor’s HSE Plan as part of their Safety Management System.
2 Scope of Review
Reviews are conducted both by BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES and Contractors. The scope of
a review shall include all relevant documentation for the personnel involved, the equipment
used, the radioactive substances in use, their storage and transportation, and the controls for
their use. The validity of the documentation is then verified by site or work area inspection
which is also used to observe and note safety techniques and practices in use.
Reviews and inspections are not limited to the Contractor and his employees; Contract Holders
and site or installation supervisory personnel are also included on aspects of safe work control.
3 Review Team
Depending on the nature of the review, the team will be drawn from the members of the BRUNEI
SHELL JV COMPANIES Contract Holder which may coopt others into the team.
4 Review Schedule
The timing of Ionising Radiation Safety reviews by Contractor and Contract Holder will be
planned a year in advance. In special circumstances, for example a follow-up review after
finding significant areas for concern during the initial review, it may be conducted outwith the
plan.
Reviews shall be conducted at least once every twelve months in each of the Brunei Shell
Companies where radioactive substances are in use and carried out in accordance with terms of
reference agreed by the BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES RFP.
Where there is particular concern over operations involving the use of radioactive substances, a
review may be initiated by the Contract Holder in conjunction with the relevant Asset Holder.
Contractors carry out their own reviews and are encouraged to invite the Contract Holder, RFP
or any member of the BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES to observe their audits or inspections.
5 Review Procedure
Ionising Radiation Safety review procedures are to be an integral part of a Contractor’s Safety or
Quality Management System and it is a contractual requirement that a copy must be forwarded
to the BRUNEI SHELL JV COMPANIES Contract Holder and verified as part of the Managing
HSE in Contracts process.
Confirmation that a scheduled review is to take place will be given to all the personnel involved
at least a week in advance of its start.
On being notified, Radiography Contractors shall assemble all relevant documentation and
records and prepare them for scrutiny.
A site inspection checklist should be available, and a specimen checklist is shown in Figure A.
Members of the review team shall be supplied with personal monitoring devices such as film
badge/TLD, personal dosimeters and survey meters before entering any site where work with
radioactive substances is carried out.
Radiation level readings shall be taken at various areas such as radioactive storage containers
and exposure rooms by using calibrated dose rate meters.
Work practices shall be observed, equipment inspected and Classified Workers interviewed.
6 Reporting
Assessment of performance shall be based on:
- SIPM Ionising Radiation Safety Guide issued in Nov 1993.
Alpha Particles Travel approximately 75mm in air and can be absorbed by as little as a
sheet of paper.
Beta Particles Most Beta radiation can be absorbed by 12.5 mm of plastic, e.g Perspex,
but since beta particles can cause electromagnetic radiation which is
more penetrating, additional shielding may be necessary.
Gamma rays Dense materials such as lead and steel, or considerable thicknessesof
concrete or brick may be required.
Neutron Substances with a rich content of hydrogen such as paraffin
waxpolythene or water are required, oil may be used in an emergency.
X-Rays Are generated electrically by machine. The intensity of the beam depends
on the current & volt set on the machine. The machine does not give off
ionising radiation when it is switched off. The characteristics of X-rays are
similar to Gamma Rays therefore the shielding required is of the same
material.