ORE1 - Breaking containment: naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)

Health and Safety Executive

ORE Breaking containment – naturally occurring Offshore radioactive materials (NORM) radiation Control approach 4 essentials Special advice

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes key principles contractors) to comply with the Ionising for removal of NORM in vessels Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR), to and pipework. protect workers’ health. Hazards This guidance consolidates good control 3 NORM can be present in various practice and reinforces existing knowledge process streams. with additional information. It will help you 3 NORM contains uranium and carry out IRR risk assessments, review thorium radioactive decay products that emit a range of alpha, beta existing assessments, deliver training and gamma radiation. and in supervising activities involving 3 Exposure to radiation can be detrimental to health. radioactive substances. 3 Health risks include an increased risk of developing cancer and other genetic effects, and toxicity by inhalation, skin contact or swallowing. It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities 3 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rates NORM with an include the management of radioactive activity above 10 Bq/g as hazardous. substances on offshore installations. (eg occupational health specialists, radiation Access protection supervisors). It sets out good Area designation practice approaches to control exposure. It is also useful for trade union and employee 3 The outcome of the risk assessment will determine whether a controlled or supervised area is required. safety representatives.

Controlled area Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But 3 If there is a significant risk of the spread of contamination from the work area or if access into the area is to be restricted, a controlled area if you do follow this guidance you will should be designated. normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek 3 A controlled area should also be designated if it is likely that personal doses exceed 6 mSv per year or the time-averaged dose rate exceeds to secure compliance with the law and 7.5 microSv per hour, or if special procedures are required to restrict may refer to this guidance as illustrating exposure to radiation. good practice.

Supervised area Also see essential information on the back of the sheet. 3 If the conditions of the area are under review, a supervised area should be designated. 3 A supervised area should also be designated if it is likely that personal doses could exceed 1 mSv per year, or the area needs to be kept under review of designation.

Breaking containment – naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) ORE1 Special advice

Equipment and procedures Employee checklist Planning Is your radiation 3 Notify HSE of work for the first time with NORM. passbook up to date? 3 Carry out a risk assessment for the job assessing the possible NORM Is the equipment in good concentrations and form. condition and working 3 Ensure that your employer has written local rules for the job. properly? 3 Local rules detail the area designation, the task and control measures, Is your portable/personal ie the ‘dos and don’ts’, decontamination procedures, and action in an alarm fully charged and emergency. working properly? 3 Survey for NORM before work begins. Is your respirator working 3 Use the defined monitoring equipment: properly? Check it every n measure the dose rates before and after breaking containment; time. n measure contamination levels after breaking containment. Look for signs of leaks, wear and damage before Control procedures every job. 3 Protect surfaces from contamination, eg with plastic sheeting. Do you have a spill clean- 3 Flush and air purge to clean the internal surfaces as much as possible up kit handy? prior to shutdown. Is chemical cleaning possible? If you find any problem, 3 After breaking containment, leave idle for at least four hours. Then get it fixed. Don’t just assess the contamination levels and external dose rates. carry on working. 3 Supervise to check that the local rules are being followed. Discard single-use gloves 3 Survey areas for radiation during and after the job. Confirm that the every time you take them area, the tools and the personal protective equipment (PPE) have been off. Discard other gloves decontaminated before leaving the work area. at the end of the shift. Wash hands before Personal protective equipment (PPE) – see OCM3 eating, drinking or using 3 Provide PPE as set out in the local rules. the lavatory. 3 All PPE must be easy to decontaminate, eg washable. 3 Ensure that all PPE is compatible. Maintenance, examination and testing Examination and testing 3 Calibrate radiation meters at least once a year and ensure that they are working as intended prior to use.

Records 3 Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years. Monitoring 3 Monitor to show that workers, PPE, equipment and areas are decontaminated to background levels of radiation before leaving the controlled area. 3 Provide radiation workers with personal dosemeters when appropriate (the outcome of the risk assessment will determine when dosemeters are appropriate). 3 Keep area radiation monitoring records for at least two years. Cleaning and housekeeping 3 Wash all PPE and test to show that it has been decontaminated.

Breaking containment - naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) ORE1 Special advice

Waste Other hazards 3 Ensure an appropriate disposal route is used – advice may be required n Process hydrocarbons

from the radiation protection adviser (RPA). n Hydrogen sulphide

3 Each radioactive waste stream must comply with the conditions n Noise

contained in an appropriate environmental authorisation. n Manual handling

3 Residues are ‘hazardous waste’. Label containers clearly – include a Further information UN number where appropriate. Store and dispose of waste safely. International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) Safety Series 15 Personal decontamination and skin care www.iaea.org/ 3 Instruct workers in how to clean their skin effectively. 3 Tell workers to wash before every break. Work with ionising radiation. 3 Provide pre-work skin creams, which will make it easier to wash dirt The Ionising Radiations from the skin, and after-work creams to replace skin oils. Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and guidance Health surveillance L121 HSE Books 2000 3 Ask your RPA for help in deciding the workers’ classification for ionising ISBN 978 0 7176 1746 3 radiation work. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ 3 Radiation workers must be certified as fit to work with ionising 121.htm radiation. Radiation doses: Assessment 3 Outside workers must have a radiation passbook. Keep this up to date. and recording Ionising Radiation Information Sheet IRIS2(rev) Training and supervision HSE Books 2000 3 Provide supervision – ensure that safe work procedures are followed. www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ 3 Check that PPE use follows the requirements contained in the local ionising/index.htm rules. 3 You need a trained RPA to supervise the work. Radiation protection supervisors 3 Radiation workers need specific training on materials and procedures. Ionising Radiation Information 3 Explain the dangers of NORM. Sheet IRIS6 HSE Books 2000 3 Training includes toolbox talks on: www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ n emergency procedures; ionising/index.htm n how to decontaminate effectively; and Selection, use and maintenance n what to do if something goes wrong. of portable monitoring 3 Involve managers and supervisors in health and safety training. instruments Ionising Radiation Information Sheet IRIS7 Essential information HSE Books 2001 OCE0 Advice for managers www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ Radioactive Substances Act 1993 ionising/index.htm

Control of radioactive substances Ionising Radiation Information Sheet IRIS8 HSE Books 2001 www.hse.gov.uk/ radiation/ionising/index.htm

Designation of classified persons www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ ionising/dose/designation.htm

You can find the full Offshore COSHH essentials series at This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.

© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 07/11