RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION OF WORKERS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NATURAL URANIUM FUEL AT THE SPRINGFIELDS' FACTORY OF THE U.K.A.E.A.
The Works manufactures uranium metal from ore concentrates and sheaths it in aluminum and magnesium alloy. Uranium hexafluoride is also manufactured from pile-depleted uranyl nitrate. There are laboratories engaged in physical and chemical research in addition to chemical and metallurgical plants. Processes include solvent extraction of uranyl nitrate, hydrofluorination of uranium dioxide, magnesium reduction of the uranium tetrafluoride so formed, and casting of the metal. Protection must be afforded against solutions, intermediate powders, metal, dusts, and vapors containing alpha, beta, and gamma emitters. An occupational health service ensures that employees are medically suitable on recruitment and that they remain so during employment. A pre- employment medical checkup, including clinical examination, chest x ray, and blood investigation, is compulsory. The subsequent medical categorization specifies the type of work for which the applicant is most suited. These examinations are repeated at a frequency determined by factors such as occupation, radiation exposure, age, and illness. A twenty-four hour casualty service ensures that cases of injury or illness, occurring during the working period, receive adequate treatment. Working conditions are regularly reviewed and advice given to the Works Management when appropriate. Comprehensive medical records are maintained. Employees receive instruction in the principles and practice of radiological protection. The standard of supervision required is high. The betagamma radiation emitted by uranium is of a low order, and an average personnel exposure of less than one tenth of the maximum permissible exposure obtains throughout the Works. Employees on casting operations during which UXI and UXII are segregated receive at most about one third of the maximum permissible amount of beta radiation. The relatively high shortterm beta exposures that occur in the cleaning and decontamination of the uranium hexafluoride plant do not markedly increase the average beta exposure level. Residual quantities of plutonium and ruthenium, together with UXI and UXII, remain in the reaction vessels, and pressurized suits are worn to prevent inhalation and contamination. Potentially the most serious airborne radioactive dust hazard in the factory arises during this operation. Airborne uranium contamination in most plants is below one tenth of the maximum permissible level. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Risley, Lancs, Eng.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-006682
- OSTI ID:
- 4287905
- Report Number(s):
- A/CONF.15/P/295
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ABSORPTION
ALPHA PARTICLES
ALUMINUM ALLOYS
BETA PARTICLES
BODY
CONTAMINATION
DUSTS
FABRICATION
FUEL ELEMENTS
GAMMA RADIATION
MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
MAN
MEDICINE
METALLURGY
METALS
PERSONNEL
PLUTONIUM
POWDERS
PROTACTINIUM 234
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION PROTECTION
RUTHENIUM
SOLUTIONS
URANIUM
URANIUM DIOXIDE
URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE
URANYL NITRATES
VAPORS