Question 444: In this example, it has been determined that
an individual will receive less than 100 mrems in a year
while in the controlled area, and the individual has
therefore been classified as a member of the public while
in the controlled area. The individual also accesses and
performs work in the restricted area. In evaluating
whether the individual requires monitoring in the
restricted area, may the evaluation be limited to only the
dose likely to be received in the restricted area, i.e.,
may the potential dose received in the controlled area be
disregarded for the purpose of the evaluation?
Answer: The answer to the question is yes, assuming that
the basis for classifying the individual as a member of the
public while in the controlled area is the type of work the
individual will do in the controlled area.
As emphasized in the answer to Question 26 (a), whether the
dose to an individual outside a restricted area is an
occupational dose or a public dose depends on what the
individual is doing and not on what area (controlled or
unrestricted area) the individual is in when the dose is
received. Furthermore, it is possible, and acceptable (as
indicated in many previous questions and answers), for the
licensee to consider the dose (other than background, etc.)
that individual receives in a controlled area to be an
occupational dose, even though, as stated in the question,
the dose the individual receives in the controlled area is
less than 100 mrem per year. Regardless of the magnitude of
the dose, the dose is an occupational dose if it is
received (in accordance with the definition of occupational
dose) ". . . in the course of employment in which the
individual's assigned duties involve exposure to radiation
and to radioactive material . . ." For example, an
individual who performs a radiation survey, in any area, of
a vehicle loaded with radioactive material prepared for
shipment would be receiving an occupational dose as a
result of exposure to the radiation from the radioactive
material on the vehicle regardless of the magnitude of the
dose. However, the dose (other than background, etc.)
received by a worker performing office work in a controlled
area could be considered to be either an occupational dose
or a public dose; either choice would be considered to be
consistent with the definition of "occupational dose." See
Question 26 and answer for additional information
concerning licensee options with respect to area
designations and dose categories. See Question 126
concerning the use individual monitoring of occupational
doses from effluents. (References: 10 CFR 20.1502, 10 CFR
20.1003).