ASTM E1034-95(2020)

Standard Specification for Nuclear Facility Transient Worker Records

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the required content and provides retention requirements for records needed for in-processing of nuclear facility transient workers. This specification is not intended to cover specific skills records (such as equipment operating licenses, ASME inspection qualifications, or welding certifications), nor does it reduce any regulatory requirement for records retention at a licensed nuclear facility. Rather, the records shall contain data elements for the following information: worker identification; occupational external radiation exposure; occupational internal radiation exposure; lifetime occupational radiation exposure history; security screening; medical approval; and radiation worker training.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The standardization of nuclear facility transient worker records will provide the individual transient worker with a greater assurance that the radiation doses that may be received are within regulatory limits.  
4.2 This specification establishes a fixed content for nuclear facility transient worker records. Standardizing the content of these records will facilitate interfacing with industry-wide record keeping systems, such as the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Personnel Data System (PADS).  
4.3 The standardization of nuclear facility transient worker records will reduce the time required for in-processing of these workers.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the required content and provides retention requirements for records needed for in-processing of nuclear facility transient workers.  
1.2 This specification applies to records to be used for in-processing only.  
1.3 This specification is not intended to cover specific skills records (such as equipment operating licenses, ASME inspection qualifications, or welding certifications).  
1.4 This specification doesPresident Barack Obama eulogy at John Lewis funeral not reduce any regulatory requirement for records retention at a licensed nuclear facility.  
Note 1: Nuclear facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are not licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), nor are other nuclear facilities that may come under the control of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) or individual agreement states. The references in this specification to licensee, the U.S. NRC Regulatory Guides, and Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations are to imply appropriate alternative nomenclature with respect to DOE, DOD, or agreement state nuclear facilities. This distinction does not alter the required content of records needed for in-processing of nuclear facility transient workers.
Note 2: This specification does not define the form of the required worker records (such as a passport or central computerized record keeping system).  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2020
• ICS: 03.040 - Labour. Employment
• ICS: 27.120.01 - Nuclear energy in general
• Technical Committee: E10 - Nuclear Technology and Applications
• Drafting Committee: E10.03 - Radiological Protection for Decontamination and Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities and Components

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1034-95(2013) - Standard Specification for Nuclear Facility Transient Worker Records
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020
• Refers: ASTM E1168-95(2020) - Standard Guide for Radiological Protection Training for Nuclear Facility Workers
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020
• Refers: ASTM E1168-95(2013) - Standard Guide for Radiological Protection Training for Nuclear Facility Workers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2013
• Refers: ASTM E1168-95(2008) - Standard Guide for Radiological Protection Training for Nuclear Facility Workers
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2008
• Refers: ASTM E1168-95e1 - Standard Guide for Radiological Protection Training for Nuclear Facility Workers
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1995
• Refers: ASTM E1168-95(2001) - Standard Guide for Radiological Protection Training for Nuclear Facility Workers
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1995
• Referred By: ASTM E1281-15(2021) - Standard Guide for Nuclear Facility Decommissioning Plans
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020

Overview

ASTM E1034-95(2020), published by ASTM International, is the Standard Specification for Nuclear Facility Transient Worker Records. This specification provides a standardized approach to the content and retention of records essential for in-processing transient workers at nuclear facilities. The standard is designed to ensure that radiation exposure monitoring and worker qualification data are consistently collected, thus supporting compliance with regulatory limits and streamlining the onboarding process across the nuclear industry.

This standard does not cover skill-specific certifications (such as equipment licenses or welding certifications) and does not alter the legal or regulatory requirements for record retention at licensed nuclear facilities. It is developed in alignment with internationally recognized standardization principles.

Key Topics

• Record Content Standardization: Specifies mandatory data elements for transient worker records, including personal identification, detailed occupational radiation exposure history (external and internal), security screening, medical approval, and radiation safety training.
• Radiation Dose Monitoring: Ensures documentation of both current-year and lifetime occupational radiation exposures, supporting worker safety and regulatory compliance.
• Security and Medical Verification: Requires records on background checks for facility access and medical evaluations related to the use of protective equipment like respirators.
• Record Retention Guidance: Offers references and guidance on how long records should be kept to support future legal or compliance needs, based on recognized industry guidelines.

Key data elements specified include:

• Worker identification (name, ID code, date of birth, verification)
• Occupational external and internal radiation dose records
• Lifetime exposure history
• Security clearance status and documentation
• Medical approval for respirator usage
• Completion and verification of radiation worker training

Applications

ASTM E1034-95(2020) is crucial in contexts where nuclear facilities must efficiently process large numbers of transient workers-such as during refueling, decontamination, decommissioning, or major modification projects. Its primary practical benefits include:

• Enhanced Worker Safety: By ensuring accurate radiation dose tracking, the standard supports adherence to regulatory exposure limits, reducing health risks to transient personnel.
• Efficient In-Processing: Standardized records simplify and speed up onboarding, which is especially valuable where time-sensitive maintenance or emergency response activities require a rapid influx of temporary staff.
• Regulatory Compliance: Offers a fixed set of record contents that facilitate compliance with US NRC regulations and interfacing with industry-wide systems like the NEI Personnel Data System (PADS).
• Centralized Record Systems: Enables easier adoption of common or centralized record-keeping databases, improving data accessibility and reducing administrative costs for facility operators.

Related Standards

For comprehensive management of nuclear facility worker records and radiological protection, organizations may also consider the following standards and guidance:

• ASTM E1168: Guide for Radiological Protection Training for Nuclear Facility Workers
• ANSI N13.6: Standard Practice for Occupational Radiation Exposure Records Systems
• NRC Regulatory Guide 8.7: Instructions for Recording and Reporting Occupational Radiation Exposure Data
• NRC Regulatory Guide 8.15: Acceptable Programs for Respiratory Protection
• 10 CFR Part 19 and 20: U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Title 10, governing notices, reports, and standards for radiation protection
• ANI/MAELU Information Bulletin 80-1A: Guidance on records retention

Summary

ASTM E1034-95(2020) is an essential standard for nuclear facilities employing transient workers. By specifying the required record contents and referencing leading industry standards for retention and compliance, it ensures reliable and efficient worker in-processing, improved safety, and regulatory adherence. This foundation enables nuclear operators to efficiently interface with industry-wide data systems while managing workforce mobility and occupational health.

Keywords: nuclear facility, transient worker, in-processing, radiation exposure records, personnel data, record retention, regulatory compliance, radiological protection, ASTM E1034

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1034 −95 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Nuclear Facility Transient Worker Records
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1034; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
There is a high degree of concern in the nuclear industry regarding the ability of present records
keeping practices to adequately monitor the cumulative radiation doses of individual transient
workers. This concern arises from the fact that the transient worker moves rapidly among the nuclear
facilities, in some cases working at as many as four or more facilities within one calendar quarter.The
accurate monitoring of a transient worker’s cumulative radiation dose depends, in part, on the
individual worker’s ability (and willingness) to provide a correct record of his occupational radiation
exposure.AtnuclearfacilitieslicensedbytheU.S.NuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC),thesedata
presently are supplied by the worker on forms NRC-4 and NRC-5. Similar procedures are followed
at other nuclear facilities (see Note 1). Accurate occupational radiation exposure data are required to
ensure that the radiation doses that an individual transient worker will receive are within regulatory
limits.
Another problem confronting the owners of nuclear facilities is how to in-process large numbers of
temporary workers efficiently. These workers may be required for such activities as the decontami-
nation and decommissioning of a nuclear facility, the annual refueling of a nuclear power plant, or a
major special modification to an operating nuclear facility. In-processing involves determining a
worker’s occupational radiation exposure history, security clearance, health status, ability to wear and
use respiratory protective equipment, and training and qualification for work in controlled areas.
In-processing is the responsibility of the licensee, and depends on the cooperation of the worker and
the worker’s present and past employers and other past contracting licensees.
In-processing is complicated by the fact that different facilities keep the required information on
different forms in varying degrees of detail. In-processing one worker often can take several days and
result in a loss of productive time as well as increased staffing costs for the facility operator.
One possible solution to these problems is a cooperative effort within the nuclear industry to
develop a common or central data base that can be accessed to obtain pertinent historical data on a
worker. A central record keeping system (CRS) is envisioned for this purpose. Such a system could
help reduce in-processing time for temporary workers.
However, some degree of standardization is necessary before a centralized record keeping system
is possible. This specification standardizes the necessary content of transient worker records.
1. Scope 1.3 This specification is not intended to cover specific skills
records (such as equipment operating licenses, ASME inspec-
1.1 This specification covers the required content and pro-
tion qualifications, or welding certifications).
vides retention requirements for records needed for in-
processing of nuclear facility transient workers. 1.4 This specification doesPresident Barack Obama eulogy
at John Lewis funeral not reduce any regulatory requirement
1.2 This specification applies to records to be used for
for records retention at a licensed nuclear facility.
in-processing only.
NOTE 1—Nuclear facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) are not licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
1 (NRC), nor are other nuclear facilities that may come under the control of
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on
the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) or individual agreement states.
Nuclear Technology andApplicationsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommit-
The references in this specification to licensee, the U.S. NRC Regulatory
tee E10.03 on Radiological Protection for Decontamination and Decommissioning
Guides, and Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations are to imply
of Nuclear Facilities and Components.
Current edition approved July 1, 2020. Published August 2020. Last previous appropriate alternative nomenclature with respect to DOE, DOD, or
edition approved in 2013 as E1034-95(2013). DOI: 10.1520/E1034-95R20. agreement state nuclear facilities. This distinction does not alter the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1034 − 95 (2020)
required content of records needed for in-processing of nuclear facility
3.1.3 committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE), n—the
transient workers.
sum of the committed dose equivalents to various tissues in the
NOTE 2—This specification does not define the form of the required
body, each multiplied by its weighting factor. It does not
worker records (such as a passport or central computerized record keeping
include contributions from external dose.
system).
3.1.4 controlled area, n—an area of a nuclear facility
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
encompassed by physical barriers to which access is con-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
trolled.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.4.1 Discussion—This definition is equivalent to the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
restricted area definition for NRC and Agreement State Li-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
censees.Itisnotthesameasthe controlled areadefinitionwith
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
which NRC and Agreement State Licensees are familiar.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.5 deep dose equivalent (DDE), n—dose equivalent de-
2.1 ASTM Standards: livered to tissue at a depth of 1.0 cm or more from the surface.
E1168 Guide for Radiological Protection Training for
3.1.6 dose equivalent (H), n—the product of D, Q, and N,at
Nuclear Facility Workers
the point of interest in tissue, where D is the absorbed dose, Q
2.2 ANSI Standards:
is the quality factor, and N is the product of any other
ANSI N13.6 American National Standard Practice for Oc-
modifying factors.
cupational Radiation Exposure Records Systems
3.1.6.1 Discussion—The SI unit of dose equivalent is the
2.3 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Documents: sievert (equal to 1 J/kg).The traditional unit of dose equivalent
Regulatory Guide 8.7, Instructions for Recording and Re-
is the rem. One Sv = 100 rem.
porting Occupational Radiation Exposure Data
3.1.7 employer, n—a person or concern that employs per-
Regulatory Guide 8.15, Acceptable Programs for Respira-
sons for wages or salary. Note that a worker may have more
tory Protection
than one employer at a given time.
NUREG/CR-0041, Manual of Respiratory Protection
3.1.8 estimated dose, n—dose data supplied by the licensee
Against Airborne Radioactive Materials
to the worker prior to the determination of the official record
2.4 CFR Documents:
dose (see section 10CFR Part 19 or equivalent).
Notices, Instructions, and Reports to Workers; Inspections,
3.1.8.1 Discussion—Estimated doses are provided at the
10CFR, Part 19
worker’s request and generally when the worker is terminating
Standards for ProtectionAgainst Radiation, 10CFR, Part 20
a work assignment involving radiation exposure at a licensee’s
2.5 American Nuclear Insurers Documents:
facility.
ANI/MAELU Information Bulletin 80-1A, Nuclear Liability
5 3.1.9 external dose equivalent, n—dose equivalent due to
Insurance Records Retention
radiation sources located outside the body.
3. Terminology
3.1.10 extremity, n—handsandarmsbelowtheelboworfeet
and legs below the knee (see 3.1.23).
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.11 extremity dose, n—the external (shallow/deep) dose
3.1.1 absorbed dose(D), n—for purposes of records main-
tained in accordance with this specification, absorbed dose is to the extremities.
the energy absorbed per unit mass at a specific place in a
3.1.12 eye dose equivalent, n—doseequivalenttothelensof
material.
the eye from external radiation sources is taken as the dose
3.1.1.1 Discussion—TheSIunitofabsorbeddoseisthegray
equivalent at a tissue depth of 0.3 cm (300 mg/cm ).
(Gy), equal to 1 J/kg (10,000 ergs/g). The traditional unit of
3.1.13 in-processing, n—the determination, prior to starting
absorbed dose is the rad. One Gy = 100 rad. As used in this
work, of a worker’s previous occupational radiation exposure
specification, “absorbed dose” stands for the absorbed dose in
history,securityclearance,healthstatus,abilitytowearanduse
soft tissue.
respiratory and other personal protective equipment, and train-
3.1.2 committed dose equivalent (CDE), n— dose equiva-
ing and qualification for work in controlled areas.
lent to organs or tissues of reference that will be received from
3.1.14 nuclear facility, n—a facility whose operations in-
an intake of radioactive material by an individual during the
volve (or involved) radioactive materials in such form and
50-year period following the intake.
quantity that a nuclear hazard potentially exists (or existed) to
the employees and the general public. Included are facilities
2 that are (or were) used to produce, process, or store radioactive
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
materials (see Note 1). Some examples are: nuclear reactor
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
(power or research), fuel fabrication plant, fuel reprocessing
the ASTM website.
3 plant, uranium or thorium mill, UF production plant, radio-
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
chemical laboratory, and radioactive waste disposal site.
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
3.1.15 occupational radiation exposure, n— radiation expo-
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
sure resulting from, and received in, the course of an individu-
Available from American Nuclear Insurers, 95 Glasterburg Boulevard, Suite
300, Glasterburg, CT 06033-453. al’s employment.
E1034 − 95 (2020)
3.1.16 offıcial record dose, n—dose data supplied by the 5. Content of Nuclear Facility Transient Worker
licensee to the worker and the NRC in accordance with Records—
10CFR20.
...