❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) regarding radiation safety standards for uranium mine workers, specifically concerning discrepancies between DMP guidelines and ARPANSA Code of Practice. The DMP acknowledges the need for clarification and commits to revising its document.
AnsweredQoN 2671Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) document ‘Radiation Safety in Uranium Mining and Exploration’ [DMP 10020417], and the ARPANSA Code of Practice Radiation Series No. 9, and ask -
(1) What is the maximum annual occupational dose limit, for uranium mine workers in Western Australia?
(2) What is the limit that should not be exceeded of an effective dose in any single year, under the ARPANSA Code of Practice Radiation Series No. 9?
(3) Does the answer to (2), apply in Western Australia?
(4) If yes to (3), why does the DMP document, ‘Radiation Safety in Uranium Mining and Exploration’ state that the annual occupational limit for uranium mine and exploration workers is 20msV per annum?
(1) What is the maximum annual occupational dose limit, for uranium mine workers in Western Australia?
(2) What is the limit that should not be exceeded of an effective dose in any single year, under the ARPANSA Code of Practice Radiation Series No. 9?
(3) Does the answer to (2), apply in Western Australia?
(4) If yes to (3), why does the DMP document, ‘Radiation Safety in Uranium Mining and Exploration’ state that the annual occupational limit for uranium mine and exploration workers is 20msV per annum?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 September 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
21 days
The "Radiation Safety in Uranium Mining and Exploration" document is not a regulatory guideline, rather it is a general overview.
(1) Under Regulation 16.18 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 administered by the State mining engineer, for mine employees the maximum effective dose limit in a single year is 50 millisieverts and 100 millisieverts over a period of 5 consecutive years.
Under Schedule 1 of the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983 administered by the Radiological Council, the dose limits for radiation workers are as follows:
(a) in any period of 5 years, an average effective dose of 20 millisieverts per year;
(b) in any period of 12 months, an effective dose of 50 millisieverts;
(c) in any period of less than 12 months but not less than one month, an effective dose of the amount which is the product of 50 millisieverts and the ratio of that period in weeks to 52 weeks; and
(d) in any period of less than one month, an effective does of 1/12
th
of 50 millisieverts.
However, the key requirement of any radiation management plan is that radiation exposures are kept low as reasonably achievable and that workers' exposures are well below the limit.
(2) The dose limits are quoted in Schedule 1 of the ARPANSA Code of Practice and Safety Guide, Radiation Protection Series No. 9. The Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983 Part 3 administered by the Radiological Council requires that persons who mine or mill radioactive ores do so in accordance with this Code. Specific questions on the Code should be referred to either Radiological Council or the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
(3) See (2) above.
(4) The Department of Mines and Petroleum has advised that it will revise the document to ensure there is no confusion in relation to dose limits.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(1) Under Regulation 16.18 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 administered by the State mining engineer, for mine employees the maximum effective dose limit in a single year is 50 millisieverts and 100 millisieverts over a period of 5 consecutive years.
Under Schedule 1 of the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983 administered by the Radiological Council, the dose limits for radiation workers are as follows:
(a) in any period of 5 years, an average effective dose of 20 millisieverts per year;
(b) in any period of 12 months, an effective dose of 50 millisieverts;
(c) in any period of less than 12 months but not less than one month, an effective dose of the amount which is the product of 50 millisieverts and the ratio of that period in weeks to 52 weeks; and
(d) in any period of less than one month, an effective does of 1/12
th
of 50 millisieverts.
However, the key requirement of any radiation management plan is that radiation exposures are kept low as reasonably achievable and that workers' exposures are well below the limit.
(2) The dose limits are quoted in Schedule 1 of the ARPANSA Code of Practice and Safety Guide, Radiation Protection Series No. 9. The Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983 Part 3 administered by the Radiological Council requires that persons who mine or mill radioactive ores do so in accordance with this Code. Specific questions on the Code should be referred to either Radiological Council or the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
(3) See (2) above.
(4) The Department of Mines and Petroleum has advised that it will revise the document to ensure there is no confusion in relation to dose limits.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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