The yellow-and-magenta striped rope, tape or chain that RP hangs to mark radiation areas, contaminated areas and high radiation areas, with signs stating the hazard and entry rules. Stepping over or leaning across rad rope without authorisation is a procedure violation that gets written up. Techs speak of roping off a spill, moving the rope out to include a laydown area, or downposting by taking the rope down after a survey.
Rope off the drain line with rad rope and post it contaminated until the smears come back.
Never reach across rad rope to pass a tool; hand it through the control point, or the reach itself becomes the violation.
Also heard as
- radiation rope
Related terms
Step-off pad
The marked clean spot at the exit of a contaminated area where workers remove protective clothing and step out.
Controlled area
A designated zone where specific radiation protection rules apply to control exposure and the spread of contamination.
High radiation area
A posted area where a person could receive more than 1 mSv (100 mrem) in an hour at 30 cm from a source.
RP tech
A radiation protection technician who surveys areas, covers jobs and enforces radiological controls.