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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