Section 277.222. Radiation monitoring and response

(a) An operator shall implement the action plan approved under § 277.140 (relating to radiation protection action plan).

(b) An operator shall monitor incoming waste in accordance with the Department’s Guidance Document on Radioactivity Monitoring at Solid Waste Processing and Disposal Facilities, Document Number 250-3100-001 or in a manner at least as protective of the environment, facility staff and public health and safety. Monitoring shall meet the requirements of this section and the facility’s approved radiation protection action plan.

(c) Radiation detector elements shall be as close as practical to the waste load and in an appropriate geometry to monitor the waste. The radiation monitoring system shall be set to alarm at a level no higher than 10 microroentgen per hour (µR/hr) above the average background at the facility when any of the radiation detector elements is exposed to a cesium-137 gamma radiation field. Radiation detector elements shall be shielded to maintain the average background below 10 µR/hr. If capable of energy discrimination, the radiation monitoring system shall be set to detect gamma rays of a 50 kiloelectron volt (keV) energy and higher.

(d) An operator shall have portable radiation monitors capable of determining the radiation dose rate and presence of contamination on a vehicle that has caused an alarm. Upon a confirmed exceedance of the alarm level in subsection (c), a radiological survey of the vehicle shall be performed.

(e) An operator shall notify the Department immediately and isolate the vehicle when radiation dose rates of 20 µSv/hr (2 mrem/hr) or greater are detected in the cab of a vehicle, 500 µSv/hr (50 mrem/hr) or greater are detected from any other surface, or contamination is detected on the outside of the vehicle.

(f) Monitoring equipment shall be calibrated at a frequency specified by the manufacturer, but not less than once a year.

(g) If radioactive material is detected, the vehicle containing the radioactive material may not leave the facility without written Department approval and an authorized United States Department of Transportation exemption form.

The provisions of this § 277.222 adopted December 22, 2000, effective December 23, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 6685.