Industrial fuel fabrication operation

The Westinghouse--Columbia Plant Health physics protection programs have been established in accordance with the chemical, physical, and radiological properties of the materials associated with each particular manufacturing area. In the chemical conversion area, air samplers have been located in breathing zone areas associated with various work stations. Urine samples are collected on a weekly basis to determine possible blood level concentrations of transportable uranium compounds. In the case of air samples and bioassays, work restrictions are issued at appropriate pre-determined levels. Fecal samples are required of those personnel working in areas where there is a potential for exposure to nontransportable uranium compounds. In the ceramic and mechanical areas, urine samples are collected on a monthly basis. In both areas, work is performed with non-transportable compounds only. Fecal samples are required of those personnel receiving more than a 6.8 MPC-hour exposure in any one day. Such data provides a useful basis for establishing the adequacy of the air sampling stations which exist throughout the ceramic and mechanical areas. In-vivo counting is performed on all personnel at least on a yearly basis. Those personnel whose in-vivo counts indicate that there may be between 50 to 75 percent of a maximum permissible lung burden are counted on a quarterly basis. Work restrictions are issued on those personnel who exceed 75 percent of a maximum permissible lung burden. External radiation exposures of personnel located in the radiation areas of the plant are monitored using TLD whole-body badges. Badges are collected on a monthly basis