Health Physics Questions and Answers - Question 227

Question 227:

(a) Must gauge licensees perform a survey of each gauge package (if the package is labeled with a DOT label) for contamination and radiation levels upon receipt of the package?

(b) What surveys must a licensee perform during routine operation where portable gauges are transported daily from site to site, then returned to a storage location?

Answer:

(a) As a result of amendments to Part 20 published on 8/31/92 [57 FR 39353], the licensee is not required to survey the gauge package for contamination if the source is in special form as defined in 10 CFR 71.4 and is not required to monitor radiation levels unless the package contains quantities of radioactive material that are in excess of the Type A quantity, as defined in 10 CFR 71.4 and Appendix A to Part 71, provided there is not evidence of degradation of package integrity.

(b) If there is no evidence of degradation of package integrity, no surveys are required if the package contains less than or equal to a Type A quantity and the source is in special form. If the source is not in special form, a contamination survey is required; if the source is greater than a Type A quantity, the external surface of the package must be monitored for radiation levels.

(Reference: 10 CFR 20.1906, 71.4)