Dealing with Radioactive Gauges

Dealing with radioactive gauges

Fear of exposure and complex compliance regimes may make radiation daunting but the radioactive gauges used by industry and mining to measure density can be managed safely and efficiently, according to a WA Safety Show exhibitor.

One of the few companies licensed to manage radioactive devices in Australia, Radiation Safety Services has a philosophy that “knowledge overcomes fear”. When the WA Safety Show returns to Perth from August 24 to 26, Radio Safety Services branch manager Will Robinson will advise visitors how to deal with radioactive gauges over their lifecycle and comply with Western Australia’s legislation.

“The WA Safety Show attracts a good representation of WA industry, so we’re expecting visitors to the show to be equally as bamboozled by the paperwork involved with radioactive devices as most organisations who try to deal with it on their own,” Mr Robinson says. “The good news is that you can outsource most of it and keep compliance very simple.”

How to buy radioactive gauges

The regulations begin even before an organisation buys a radioactive device. The site and a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) trained over five days by specialists like Radiation Safety Services must first be registered with the Radiological Council. Then, because radioactive devices are not made in Australia, an import permit is required.

The transport of radioactive substances is dealt with by Western Australia’s Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002 and to get the device from the airport to the site, a licensed person must supervise a transport management plan called a Radiation Protection Programme. Some operations may also require a source security transport plan.

Installing radioactive gauges

Installation must be carried out under the supervision of a licensed Radiation Worker, such as Radiation Safety Services personnel, and satisfy a compliance audit that is submitted to the Radiological Council. The checks include the presence of labels and signage, the operation of the shutter, and radioactivity levels surrounding the gauge when the shutter is open and closed.

Radiation Safety Services staff members conducting the audits wear “canaries” that alert them to their immediate radiation dose levels and a thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) badge to provide cumulative readings.

Maintaining radioactive gauges

Annual checks are mandatory. Radiation Safety Services analyses a swab sample at its laboratory to confirm there has been no leakage of the radioactive source material. The audit records must be kept at the user’s site and be able to be presented to the Radiological Council at any time.

After three years, users will be sent a reminder for site and gauge licence renewals.

Every 15 years, a complete refurbishment of the gauges is required to minimise the risk of rusted devices leaking radioactive source material. Using a remote camera in a lead-lined “hot cell”, Radiation Safety Services staff members remove the small radioactive capsule from its housing and conduct a submersion test to check its integrity.

Disposal of radioactive gauges

Only one refurbishment is allowed. After 30 years in the field, the radioactive gauges must be decommissioned. Radiation Safety Services secures the gauge for export to Germany, where it is encased in concrete for burial.

To learn more about safe management of radioactive devices, visit Radiation Safety Services at the WA Safety Show from August 24 to 26 at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. For more information, visit www.wasafetyshow.com, email safetyvisitor@aec.net.au or phone Australian Exhibitions & Conferences on 03 9654 7773.

Summary of WA Radiation Legislation

In 1954, Western Australia became the first Australian state to regulate the use of radiation and the Radiation Safety Act covers radioactive substances, x-ray equipment and prescribed electronic products such as lasers and other sources of non-ionising radiation.

The regulation surrounding radioactive gauges is complex and governed by three different state bodies:

Under the authority of the Radiological Council

Radiation Safety Act 1975
Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983
Radiation Safety (Qualifications) Regulations 1980
Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances Regulations) 2002

Under the authority of the Department of Health

Nuclear Waste Storage and Transportation (Prohibition) Act 1999

Under the authority of the Department of Mines and Petroleum

Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
Mines Safety and Inspection Act Regulations 1995 (Part 16)

Regulation is achieved primarily by –

Registration of the equipment, substances and products and the premises where they are manufactured, operated, used or stored; and by
Licensing individuals to possess, use, operate, manufacture or otherwise deal with particular radiation sources.
Registration is also required by mines and industry for prescribed natural radioactive substances for the purposes of the Act. Regulation 5 –
- equivalent specific radioactivity exceeding 0.03 megabecquerel per kilogram (30 Bq/g, total activity concentration and exceeds the maximum quantity specified for a radioactive substance in Schedule V (for natural uranium or thorium, 4 MBq total activity)
- A radioactive ore which may give rise to a radiation hazard or may result in an individual receiving an effective dose exceeding the effective dose limit.