title: Prenatal radiation exposure policy: a labor arbitration.
abstract: A policy on prenatal radiation exposure at two nuclear power plants was revised to give better assurance of compliance with NCRP recommendations on fetal radiation exposure. This action was taken after publication of NCRP 91 in June 1987 to provide better assurance that a total dose equivalent limit to an embryo-fetus be no greater than 0.5 mSv (0.05 rem) in any month and no more than 5 mSv (500 mrem) for a gestation period. For any female worker to receive radiation exposure greater than 1.5 mSv (0.15 rem) in a month at these nuclear power plants, she was asked to initiate an administrative request for radiation exposure in excess of this limit. In this request, she was asked to acknowledge that she was aware of the guidance in U.S. NRC Regulatory Guide 8.13. A worker who had the potential for radiation exposure in excess of 1.5 mSv (0.15 rem) refused to process this request and was consequently denied overtime work. She filed a grievance for denial of overtime, and this grievance was submitted for labor arbitration in June 1988. The arbitration decision and its basis and related NRC actions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: New York Power Authority, White Plains 10601.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D009790:Occupations; D011210:Power Plants; D011247:Pregnancy; D011829:Radiation Dosage