In a major radiation emergency, the RSO's top priority is to protect personnel from exposure and control the spread of contamination. This includes evacuating individuals from affected areas, securing the site, and following established emergency procedures to mitigate the risk to health and safety.
The first action a worker should take if they suspect contamination is to remove contaminated clothing to prevent further spread of radioactive material. The clothing should be contained in a safe location. Then the worker should notify the RSO and follow decontamination procedures, which may include washing the affected area.
If a sealed radioactive source is suspected to be leaking, the first step is to discontinue use of the source immediately and perform a leak test to confirm whether contamination is occurring. If the test confirms a leak, further steps include containment, disposal, and regulatory reporting.
If a radiation overexposure incident occurs that exceeds the NRC limits, the RSO must report the incident to the NRC within 8 hours (10 CFR 20.2202). This immediate reporting requirement allows the NRC to investigate and take any necessary actions to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
In the event of a radiation spill, the first step is to evacuate personnel from the affected area and prevent access to minimize exposure. Once the area is secured, the RSO can assess the situation, contain the spill if necessary, and begin cleanup procedures.
