All materials and equipment surrounding the target interaction point have the potential to become activated during high intensity laser shots. A dose rate meter must be used to check the areas surrounding the target to identify activation and / or contamination of other materials. At the start of experiments, this check MUST be performed by the RPS. This duty may be assigned to one of the visiting scientists provided that produced activities are within acceptable limits.
Any removable activated materials must be removed, logged and stored in a radiation cupboard until the dose rate falls below 0.1 µSv/hr. Materials which cannot be removed must still be highlighted on the activity log and checked periodically for decay, updating the activity log as required. At no time should any active materials be handled unless the dose rate falls below 20 µSv/hr at 10cm from the material, and areas of radioactivity should never be handled directly.
Localised regions close to activated materials may exceed 20 µSv/hr for short periods whilst the material is decaying. In such cases, these areas must be avoided and work restricted to the RPS. The RPS is authorised to handle items up to 100 µSv/hr at 10cm, provided that the period of work is minimised and safe handling practices are maintained. Work must always be organised so that exposure times are minimised.
