Efficiency Bulletins

EB 16-13: Perform Self-Briefs for Low Radiological Risk Activities

This efficiency bulletin will increase efficiency and employee accountability by establishing the basis for radiation workers to brief themselves on key steps before beginning tasks in a radiologically controlled area (RCA), under certain conditions, without having to consult with site radiation protection personnel.

The typical practice at nuclear power plants is to have radiation protection staff brief employees each time they are assigned work in an RCA. However, radiation workers already are highly trained in the safety requirements of their profession and, in the case of routine tasks they have performed repeatedly, these briefings add little value. This also limits the time that the radiation protection staff have available to provide instruction and guidance on higher-risk activities. This bulletin establishes the conditions under which self-briefing is acceptable and identifies the standards to be used. This approach increases responsibility and accountability for radiation workers and their supervisors.

Target implementation: January 2017.