Radiation Health Program Update

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CVN
Radiation Health Program Update
LCDR Greg Kahles, MSC, USN Deputy Force
Radiation Health Officer
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TYCOM RHOs
LCDR Lisa Kennemur Commander Naval Air
Forces Force Radiation Health Officer U.S.
Pacific Fleet
Summer 07 LCDR Georges Younes
West Coast
LCDR Greg Kahles Commander Naval Air
Forces Deputy Force Radiation Health Officer U.S.
Atlantic Fleet
East Coast
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If you havent done this.
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OR this.
You dont know what youre missing!!
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Role of TYCOM RHO

• Provide assistance at the TYCOM level to ensure
  compliance of applicable instructions through
  regular assistance, training and inspection
• Provide technical assistance as needed regarding
  dosimetry, physical exams, and any
  incidents/accidents involving ionizing radiation
• Consolidate input on issues facing the Fleet
• Liaison officer (Naval Dosimetry Center,
  Specialty Leader, Naval Reactors, etc.).

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CVN Rad Health Program

• Rad Health Program Fundamentals
• Medical Qualification
• Record of Occupational Exposures
• Numerous Time-Sensitive Reports
• Common RHO Collateral Duties
• Nuclear Field Duty Qualification
• DQ Waiver Packages

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Radiation Health Program

• XO owns program
• Radiation Health Officer (RHO)
• Reports to SMO
• Direct line to XO
• Program administered IAW
• NAVMED P-5055
• NAVMED P-117
• NAVSEA S9213-33-MMA-000/(v)
• CNAFINST 6470.4 (series)

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CNAFINST 6470.4 (Series)

• CNAF Radiation Health Manual
• Outlines all CoC RH Responsibilities
• Ready reference for the function of CVN radiation
  health program
• Revision underway
• Clarification/changes promulgated from TYCOM via
  PPM and/or NUCNOTE

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RHO ResponsibilitiesPart I Fundamentals

• Radiation Health Officers onboard CVNs
• Ensure personnel are medically qualified to
  receive occupational exposure
• Ensure occupational exposures are accurately
  documented in medical records
• Keep CoC abreast of rad health program status
• Self-assess, Track, Correct, and Report
• Train
• Medical examiners (rad health requirements)
• Response personnel (decon techniques general
• rad
  information)

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Rad Health Inspections, Assessments and Visits

• Radiation Health Audits
• Internal and external
• Self-assessments
• SNPMTT Visits
• Admin audit
• Contaminated injured sailor
• Tech Assist Visit (TAV)
• By request
• ORSE/ PORSE

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RH Inspection, Assessment and Visit Components

• Health Record Review
• Physicals
• Exposure records (zero deficiency program)
• Internal monitoring records
• Dosimetry Program
• TLD reader qualifications
• TLD reader worksheets
• Exposure Record Cards/Strip charts
• Calibration records
• LiF program

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Administrative Review

• Monthly COs dosimetry report
• Situational and annual reports to NDC
• Annual report to NAVSEA 08R
• Dose investigations and estimates
• Internal audit (scope and completeness)
• Corrective actions (ERHA IRHA)
• Visitor statements and dose transmittals
• Internal monitoring sheets

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Administrative Review

• Training
• All-hands RADCON training
• Emergency medical responders
• Reactor compartment tours
• Ship-wide Drills
• Rx drills - Contaminated Injured Sailor (CIS)
• Praticals and evolutions
• TLD read
• Internal monitoring

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Dose Investigations Dose Estimates

• High visibility item (NR BUMED)
• TYCOM tracks
• Focus on Methods to Reduce Numbers
• Decrease the number of badged personnel
• Leading causes
• ? Lost TLDs ? Entering posted
  areas sans TLD
• Impose harsh punishment for lost TLDs
• ? NJP ? Personal
  financial responsibility

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CNAF DI/DE Stats
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CNAF DI/DE Stats
Totals 2002 295 2003 322 2004 223 2005
183 2006 - 131
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RHO Performance as Manager of RH Program

• Metric Current Grade Trend (05 06)

East Coast SHIP E1 SHIP E2 SHIP E3 SHIP E4 SHIP E5
West Coast SHIP W1 SHIP W2 SHIP W3 SHIP W4 SHIP W5
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RHO Performance as Manager of RH Program

• Metric Current Grade Trend (05 06)

East Coast SHIP E1 ? SHIP E2 ? SHIP E3
? SHIP E4 ? SHIP E5 ?
West Coast SHIP W1 ? SHIP W2 SHIP W3
? SHIP W4 ? SHIP W5 ?
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RHO Challenges

• Life aboard ship (especially at sea)
• Obtaining SWMDO, In-port OOD, etc.
• Radiation Health Techs
• Ideally at least one senior, one junior
• RHO not directly in CoC
• TLD Reader Operations
• RHO TLD guru
• RHO must have confidence in RL Div

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RHO Challenges

• Admin support (personnel check out)
• Reactor department support
• Interact with CRA
• RL Div ops
• DI/DE
• Exposure documentation
• Reports
• Medical Officer support
• IR exam documentation
• NFD exam standards

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Future Rad Health Issues

• CNAFINST 6470.4 Update
• NAVMED P-5055 Revision
• Phase out CaF DT-526 TLDs and implement the new
  LiF DT-702 (1-2 yrs on horizon)
• Electronic Pocket Dosimeter (EPD) Implementation

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Nuclear Field Duty

• Not part of Radiation Health
• Exam Review Delegated to RHO on Some CVNs
• Standards -- MANMED Section 15-103
• Psychotropic Meds (temporary DQ minimum)
• Alcohol Dependence (temporary DQ minimum)
• Illegal Substance Use (permanent DQ)
• Color Vision (potentially DQ)
• Hearing (potentially DQ)
• Incapacitating Migraines (potentially DQ)

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Questions ?
CNAF Deputy Force RHO LCDR Greg Kahles, MSC,
USN [phone] (DSN 564) Fax (757)
444-4720 email gregory.kahles_at_navy.mil
CNAF Force RHO LCDR Lisa Kennemur, MSC, USN (619)
545-3687 Fax [phone] email
lisa.kennemur_at_navy.mil