A personnel contamination event is any detection of contamination on skin or personal clothing above the plant's reporting threshold, usually found at a PCM or frisker. Each PCE means decontamination, a skin dose assessment, a log entry and a review of the cause, such as poor step-off technique or a torn glove. Plants track PCE counts per outage as a key radiological performance measure.
Third PCE this shift from the same job, all at the wrists, stop and look at how they're taping gloves.
Also heard as
- personnel contamination event
- personnel contamination
Related terms
Step-off pad
The marked clean spot at the exit of a contaminated area where workers remove protective clothing and step out.
PCM
Personnel contamination monitor: a walk-in booth that scans the whole body for contamination at exits.
Flea
Slang for a hot particle, a tiny speck of highly radioactive material found on clothing or skin.
Decontamination
Removal of radioactive contamination from people, tools, surfaces or systems to reduce dose and spread.
Anti-Cs
Anti-contamination clothing: the coveralls, hoods, gloves and overshoes worn to keep contamination off workers.