Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines

A variety of policies, procedures, and guidelines are used to complete dose reconstructions. They are developed and updated as necessary. Links to the documents are listed below in alphabetical order. The document number, a brief description of the document, and the date the document was approved or revised is provided, when available.

Do you know the title of the policy, procedure, or guideline you are looking for? If you know the title, click on the letter below that corresponds to the first letter of the policy, procedure, or guideline’s title to move where the link and information for the document you are looking for is located on this page.

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  • Alternative Dissolution Models for Insoluble Pu-238 [823 KB (52 pages)]

    Document Number: DCAS-RPT-005 Rev. 01

    Revised: August 17, 2018

    Revision Includes: Removes a typos (SRS) in section A.5.1. Adds text in section A.2 to explain why Mound-13 chosen as representative.

  • Analysis of Dosimeter Badges and Area Codes for Ten SRS Claimants for 1953 through 1972 [268 (23 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0066 Rev. 00

    Approved: September 19, 2014

    About this Document: New document initiated to analyze dosimeter badges and Health Physics area codes for 10 Savannah River Site claimants to identify potential issues that might affect the implementation of the proposed Special Exposure Cohort class for the Savannah River Site. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

  • Analysis of Potential Exposures Resulting from the Burning of Degraded Solvents at the Savannah River Site [105 KB (12 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0051 Rev. 00

    Approved: August 16, 2011

    About this Document: This report describes activities performed by the Savannah River Site (SRS) related to the burning of radioactive solvent waste with the objective of determining the feasibility of reconstructing internal doses potentially received from exposures to fission product and alpha radionuclides. Incorporates formal NIOSH review comments.

  • Analysis of Savannah River Site Thoria and Thoron Air Sampling Data as a Method of Intake Bounding between 1965 and 1971 [793 KB (24 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0046 Rev. 00

    Approved: May 18, 2010

    About this Document: This report is a working document prepared by NIOSH or its contractor for use in discussions with the ABRWH or its Working Groups or Subcommittees and is now being incorporated as an ORAU Team controlled document. Draft, preliminary, interim, and White Paper documents are not final NIOSH or ABRWH (or their technical support and review contractors) positions unless specifically marked as such. This document represents preliminary positions taken on technical issues prepared by NIOSH or its contractor. Not subject to FOIA. Incorporates formal NIOSH review comments.

  • Analysis of Stratified Coworker Datasets [531 KB (46 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0053 Rev. 02

    Revised: October 8, 2014

    Revision Includes: Revision initiated to add instructions for handling negative and zero values in Sections 3.0 and 4.0. Added an option for a time-weighted OPOS approach. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the document.

  • Applications of Regression Models and Ratios [879 KB (48 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0106 Rev. 00

    Approved: August 3, 2023

    About this Document: New report generated to illustrate the benefits and detriments of using regression models versus ratios. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

  • Appropriateness of using 1997 Gross Alpha Air Sampling Data as a Method of Bounding Thoron Intakes at the SRS H-Area Tank Farm Between 1972 and 1994pdf icon [444 KB (14 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0081 Rev. 00

    Approved: April 7, 2017

    About this Document: Analyzes Savannah River gross alpha air sampling data as a method of thoron intake bounding between 1972 and 1994.

  • Assessment of Los Alamos National Laboratory Plutonium Bioassay Programs 1996 to 2001 [713 KB (51 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0102 Rev. 00

    Approved: December 2, 2021

    About this Document: New report to assess the adequacy of Los Alamos National Laboratory bioassay results for the construction of a co-exposure model. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

  • Assignment of Fission and Activation Product Radionuclides for Non-Specific Bioassays at Savannah River Site – Comparison of Methods [1 MB (100 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0047 Rev. 00

    Approved: July 23, 2013

    About this Document: New report to compare organ doses from an intake of fission products determined from urinalysis using the default guidance in Revision 03 of ORAUT-TKBS-0003, Savannah River Site (SRS Site Profile, p. 70) versus using an approach based on the method in ORAUT-OTIB-0054, Fission and Activation Product Assignment for Internal Dose-Related Gross Beta and Gross Gamma Analyses. This report also compares organ doses from an intake of 4,400 dpm/d of mixed fission products using the radionuclide guidance mixture in Table 4.4.2-7 of the SRS Site Profile (p. 82) with organ doses from an intake of 4,400 dpm/d of fission products apportioned as recommended in OTIB-0054. This addresses an SRS Advisory Board Work Group issue regarding fission products. Incorporates comparisons of organ doses computed using the nine representative reactor cases from OTIB-0054 with five cases selected to represent production reactor operations at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Develops site-specific intake and activity fraction values to be used for evaluating SRS claims and draws comparisons of committed organ doses assigned using these new values with doses assigned using the guidance currently given in the SRS Site Profile. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

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  • Bioassay for Subcontractor Construction Trade Workers at the Savannah River Site from 1972 to 1997 [5.2 MB (66 pages]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0094 Rev. 00

    Approved: September 13, 2019

    About this Document: Provides fractions of claimants with external and internal monitoring data and who were subcontractor construction trade workers at the Savannah River Site between 1972 and 1997. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

  • Bounding Intakes of Exotic Radionuclides at Los Alamos National Laboratory [970 KB (54 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0101 Rev. 01

    Approved: August 30, 2023

    About this Document: Revision initiated to correct self-identified errors discovered while screening documents used to generate Tables 3-1 through 3-5, and A-2 through A-7. The errors consisted of large area swipes, direct reading surveys, external radiation surveys, and radiological work permit related contamination and air monitoring surveys that were mistakenly entered. There were also duplicates of some surveys that were entered as well as some that should have been entered that were missed originally. Added per year to many of the 100 mrem occurrences throughout the report. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the document.

  • Breathing Zone to General Area Air Concentration Ratios in Small Workrooms [12MB (81 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0097 Rev. 00

    Approved: March 29, 2021

    About this Document: New document initiated to evaluate the data from several air sampling studies performed in small workrooms. The air sample data were evaluated in terms of breathing zone air concentrations and air concentrations measured from general area air samplers. A statistical evaluation of the potential ratios of the breathing zone air concentrations and the general area air concentrations is presented in this document. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

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  • Feasibility of Reconstructing Doses Received from Potential Exposures to Polonium at Savannah River Site [110 KB (11 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0048 Rev. 00

    Revised: January 24, 2011

    About this Document: Describes activities performed by the Savannah River Site (SRS) related to the design of processes and facilities for separating 210Po from 210Bi with the objective of determining the feasibility of reconstructing internal and external doses potentially received from exposures to polonium.

  • Feed Materials Production Center Internal Dose Topics [1 MB (76 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0052 Rev. 00

    Revised: July 12, 2011

    About this Document: New report to consolidate the information pertinent to the Feed Materials Production Center (FMPC) internal dosimetry that has been developed since the SEC Evaluation Report was presented. This information includes topic discussed in the Advisory Board FMPC Work Group meetings. Several distinct topics are included in this report. Incorporates formal NIOSH review comments.

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  • A Method for Estimating Stable Metal Tritide Exposures to Tritium Ancillary Workers Based on Swipe Data in Rooms SW-8, SW13, SW-150 and R-108 at the Mound Laboratory 1968 to 1989 [1.3 MB (23 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0057 Rev. 00

    Approved: March 7, 2013

    About this Document: This report defines a dose reconstruction method for Mound workers who may have been incidentally exposed to stable metal tritide (SMT) compounds in the SW/R Tritium Complex (SRTC), but who were not assigned to directly handle SMTs. SMTs are type S tritium compounds that are insoluble in lung fluids. The method defines an annual intake of SMTs based on a claimant-favorable estimate of removable tritium surface contamination, a chronic resuspension factor (5 ×10-5 m-1) that modifies the surface contamination level resulting in an airborne radioactivity concentration, and full-time worker occupancy (2000 hr/yr) in the contaminated area. The method is applicable for the period March 6, 1980 through December 31, 1999. March 5, 1980 is the date when SEC-00171, which covers every potentially-exposed tritium worker, ends. December 31, 1999 is the date when there is confidence that the dosimetric problems associated with SMT exposure were adequately addressed by the Mound radiation safety staff. The method may also be useful for reconstruction of doses associated with non-presumptive cancers during the SEC-00171 period. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

  • Methods for Radiation Dose Reconstruction [129 KB (23 pages)]

    Document Number: Final Rule: 42 CFR Part 82

    Effective Date: May 2, 2002

    About this Document: The document outlines the methods for estimating the dose levels of ionizing radiation incurred by workers in the performance of duty for nuclear weapons production programs of the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies.

  • Monitoring Feasibility Evaluation for Exotic Radionuclides Produced by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Isotopes Division [2 MB (132 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0090, Rev. 01

    Revised: March 10, 2023

    About this Document: Document revised to address comments received following SC&A review as well as during Working Group discussions. Specific changes include clarifying the document’s scope and intent as being an evaluation of ORNL monitoring capabilities regarding work by Isotope Group employees or within Isotope Group facilities. Accordingly, Appendix C (“Dose Reconstruction Approach for Iodine”) was removed and will be included in a separate document. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the document.

  • Multiple Imputation Applied to Bioassay Co-Exposure Models [733 KB (20 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0096, Rev. 01

    Revised: June 11, 2021

    About this Document: Revision initiated to incorporate experience gained from applying multiple imputation to recent co-exposure models. Only the new multiple imputation methods are discussed, whereas, Rev. 00 included comparisons of the then current statistical methods for dealing with censored data with the new multiple imputation methods. In addition, Rev. 01 includes statistical methods (like the coworker R package) that were used for the first time in the INL co-exposure statistical analysis. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

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  • Neutron Dose from Highly Enriched Uranium [498 KB (24 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0060 Rev. 00

    Approved: March 28, 2019

    About this Document: New document initiated for evaluation of neutron dose from highly enriched uranium at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (K-25), Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, and Y-12 Plant. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

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  • Occupational Medical X-Ray Dose Reconstruction for DOE Sites [215 KB (12 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-PROC-0061 Rev. 4

    Revised: June 6, 2017

    About this Document: Provides direction for assignment of organ dose from medical X-ray exams based on TBD information. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

    Revision Includes: Revision initiated to ensure consistency with ORAUT-OTIB-0006. Appendix C on the calculation of skin dose deleted as duplicate of ORAUT-OTIB-0006 content. Incorporates formal internal review comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the document.

  • Occupational Onsite Ambient Dose Reconstruction for DOE Sites [304 KB (26 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-PROC-0060 Rev. 1

    Revised: June 28, 2006

    About this Document: Provides direction for external onsite ambient dose reconstruction for DOE sites. Revised to include additional DOE sites.

    Revision Includes: Revised document to include additional DOE sites. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the document.

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  • Technical Basis for Sampling Plan [831 KB (19 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0078 Rev. 00

    Approved: June 17, 2016

    About this Document: Describes the technical basis for sampling of coworker datasets to determine transcription error (typo) rates.

  • Technical Documents Used in Dose Reconstruction

    About these Documents: Technical documents are general working documents that provide historic background information and guidance to assist in the preparation of dose reconstructions at particular sites or categories of sites. They will be revised in the event additional relevant information is obtained about the affected site(s). These documents may be used to assist NIOSH staff in the completion of the individual work required for each dose reconstruction.

  • Two-Count Filter Method for Measurement of Thoron Progeny in Air [501 KB (14 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0084 Rev. 00

    Approved: April 27, 2019

    About this Document: Describes a two-count filter method for measurement of thoron progeny in air.

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  • Worker Outreach Program [1 MB (32 pages)]

    Document Number: DCAS-PR-012 Rev-01

    Approved: December 14, 2012

    About this Document: Changes address actions from the Outreach Working Group and includes discussion of minutes and notes, announcements at the beginning of a meeting, processing of meeting minutes, action item identification and processing, etc.

Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health Comments on Policy, Procedure, and Guidance Documents

The Advisory Board conducts technical reviews of various DCAS policy, procedure, and guidance documents that relate to dose reconstruction. The Board’s technical support contractor assists in the review process. The purpose of the reviews is to assess the scientific and technical quality of the methods used in dose reconstruction. They also help identify any deficiencies that could have a negative effect on the results or the dose reconstruction process. These reviews can be found on the Advisory Board: Reports from the Technical Support Contractor page of our website.

When the reviews are complete and all issues have been resolved, the Board prepares a brief summary of the resolutions. The summaries help the public understand the results of the technical reviews. These summaries can be found on the Advisory Board: Technical Review Summaries from the Technical Support Contractor page.

Document Archive for Policy, Procedure, and Guidance Documents

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  • Analysis of Stratified Coworker Datasets [510 KB (42 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0053 Rev. 01

    Revised: July 16, 2012

    Revision Includes: Revision initiated to add methods for handling multiple comparisons and for comparing chronic intake rates. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the document.

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  • Bounding Intakes of Exotic Radionuclides at Los Alamos National Laboratory [826 KB (56 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0101 Rev. 00

    Approved: March 1, 2022

    About this Document: New report to address an issue from the Advisory Board on Radiation Worker Health regarding the ability to bound dose for exotic radionuclides for Los Alamos National Laboratory energy employees from 1996 through 2005 using surface contamination survey data, air monitoring data, and personnel contamination monitoring to assure that doses for unmonitored workers are less than 100 mrem. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

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  • Exotic Radionuclides at the Savannah River Site [426 KB (36 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-RPRT-0054 Rev. 00

    Approved: January 20, 2012

    About this Document: New document initiated in response to questions raised by SC&A that not all radionuclides have been identified and considered in the analysis of personnel exposures at the Savannah River Site. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

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  • Occupational Medical X-Ray Dose Reconstruction for DOE Sites [189 KB (22 pages)]

    Document Number: ORAUT-PROC-0061 Rev. 3

    Revised: March 3, 2010

    About this Document: Provides direction for assignment of organ dose from medical X-ray exams based on TBD information. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review comments.

    Revision Includes: Provides direction for assignment of organ dose from medical X-ray exams based on TBD information. This latest revision removes the LAT chest doses for Ames Laboratory in Notes to Table A-1 which are now included in a revised Ames Site Profile; to add guidance for skin dose for PA and LAT chest for post 1970; to better define dose to various areas of skin from PFG, PA and LAT chest pre-1970 and lumbar spine procedures; to remove Table A-1, the quick reference table, and Table B-1, the records availability table; to move the responsibilities of the “subject expert – external dosimetry” to the “dose reconstruction group managers.” Previous revisions that were incorporated into the document: (1) Includes additional sites with approved TBDs, new guidance on X-rays for locations of the skin, and additional X-ray procedures (2) Updates Attachment C to include approved Request for Direction or Operational Change for X-Ray dose assignment to the face and to include updates based on current TBD revisions. Includes recently approved TBDs, change column headings, and alignment of x-ray procedures to align with new headings in Attachment A.

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Submitting Comments on Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines

If you have questions about the documents listed on this page, please contact us at:

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Division of Compensation Analysis and Support (DCAS)
Robert A. Taft Laboratories, MS-C45
1090 Tusculum Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45226

Phone: 513-533-6800 (direct) or toll-free: 1-877-222-7570
Fax: 513-533-6826
E-mail: dcas@cdc.gov