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Naturally Occurring Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material Radioactive Material
Awareness Training CourseAwareness Training Course
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Course AdministrationCourse Administration
Emergency procedures Facilities: first aid, prayers, refreshments, toilet Documentation; course roster, HSE passport Restrictions: smoking, telephones and pagers Introduction: name, company, position and expectations of the course
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Course AimsCourse Aims
Aims of the course are to provide knowledge and understanding of NORM:
basic radiation theory where NORM can be found personal hygiene and health risks exposure control measures risk control measures and PPE
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Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives
On completion of the course attendees will be able to: explain basic NORM theory describe where NORM can be found explain personal hygiene, health, environment and
reputation risks describe measures to counter NORM risks
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Radiation Sources in E&PRadiation Sources in E&P
Radiationsources
Installedgauges
Radiotracers
Industrialradiography
Welllogging
Portablegauging
equipment
NORM
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NORMNORM
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials
as opposed to man-made sources
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RadiationRadiation
Radiation emitted by NORM Alpha particles (α) Beta particles (β) Gamma rays (y)
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PenetrationPenetration
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
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Closed equipmentClosed equipment
Closed equipment: Gamma rays penetrate
steel and are measured where scale accumulates.
Alpha/Beta particles cannot penetrate steel.
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Open equipmentOpen equipment
Scale may become dislodged and be inhaled when opening NORM contaminated equipment.
Ingested if poor hygiene.
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Health RisksHealth Risks
Health risks arise if you:
• Inhale contaminated scales• Ingest contaminated sludge
or debris• Absorb contaminated
material through open cuts or wounds
Alpha & Beta particles have sufficient energy to damage cells and may lead to lung or bone cancer
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Where to Find NORMWhere to Find NORM
• Fixed scales – e.g. pipes, pumps, tubulars
• Sludge / Sands – tanks & separators
• Waste – Pigging debris
• Salts – Evaporation ponds, water leaks
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Hard Scales:1. ESP2. Valve3. Tubulars
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Sludge stored in pits
Sludge mixed with sand and land farmed
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Evaporation Pond
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Separator outlet
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Leaks
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Job Types at RiskJob Types at Risk
Job types: production operators maintenance personnel tank & separator cleaning crews hoist/rig workover crews pigging crews sludge farm operators
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H.E.M.P.H.E.M.P.
Supervisors responsibility
• Identify potential NORM Jobs
• Control exposures
• Monitor and review controls
• Record keeping
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Identifying NORMIdentifying NORM
• Look for NORM signs on equipment• Check PDO NORM maps• If in doubt - Ask Production Operators
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PDO Policy
• As a rule any equipment which has conveyed or stored production fluids should be treated as NORM contaminated until proven otherwise by monitoring
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ControlsControls Follow procedures plan the job organise PPE, plastic & containers set up supervised area conduct tool box talk prevent scale from becoming airborne prevent inhalation of scale – wear PPE dress cuts and abrasions contain debris in one area encapsulate equipment at open ends
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NORM SpecificationNORM Specification
SP 1170 Management of NORM defines roles and responsibilities:
PPE: monitoring, reporting and exposure limits; transportation and disposal of NORM
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NORM GuidelinesNORM Guidelines
NORM procedures for specific tasks: e.g.
• Tank or separator cleaning
• Pigging
• Transporting
• Sampling
• Well workovers
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NORM PPENORM PPE
Appropriate PPE: one piece clothing impermeable rubber gloves steel toecap boots face piece respirator eye protection safety goggles or glasses clean and monitor after use dispose of contaminated PPE safely
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NORM PPENORM PPEOne piece slicker or Tyvek
disposable suitP3 Half-face respirator
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Personal HygienePersonal Hygiene
When working with NORM: do not eat, drink or smoke do not apply barrier creams or lip
balm clean and dress cuts and abrasions after contact with NORM wash
hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking
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NORM TrainingNORM Training
NORM training: Awareness training for ALL personnel routinely or
frequently working on NORM sites
Supervisor training for ALL personnel responsible for issue of permits to work or supervise workers exposed to NORM
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SummarySummary
Summary: Treat equipment that conveys production fluids
as NORM contaminated until monitored Use maps and surveys to identify NORM areas Follow the NORM Specification 1170 Implement the NORM Guidelines into work
procedures Wear your designated PPE Maintain good personal hygiene Keep records