HomeMy WebLinkAboutRadioactive Screening - NAS NA S
KENTUCHY EXCELLENCE
IN ENVIRONMENTAL
NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS LEADERSN.P
6870 Highway 42 East Phone: (502)347-6000
Ghent,KY 41045-9615
January 20,2023
Dear Customer:
North American Stainless (NAS) is committed to not only providing our customers the best
stainless steel at the fairest market price, but is also committed to the safety and well being of our
workers, the general public, and the environment. To achieve this commitment, multiple programs
are in place at NAS to maintain control over the processes and protect against preventable mishaps
and lost time.
Clearly, one of the largest challenges any steel manufacturer is faced with is the unwanted
introduction of radiological material into the final product via the raw(scrap)material supply stream.
Any introduction of radiological material to the steel making process can cause unnecessary
exposures and possible injury to workers, the public and the environment. The cleanup procedures
associated with such an event pretty much guarantee a lengthy shut-down and remediation costs
ranging into the tens of millions of dollars. As part of the NAS commitment to both quality and
safety, NAS implemented and maintains a comprehensive and multi-layered Radiological Protection
Plan to identify, isolate and control radiological material before any unwanted material is accepted or
processed. This plan is run by an onsite Radiation Safety Officer who is dedicated to the success of
the program.
The multi-layered Radiological Protection Program starts with a contractual agreement
between NAS and their approved raw material supplier. Each approved supplier must make a
commitment to providing NAS only high-grade feed materials free of radiological contaminants and
must demonstrate that they have the ability, at their site, to identify and segregate radiological
materials if encountered. Second, installed at each delivery gate are state of the art radiological
detection devices. NAS has gone above and beyond its competitors by investing in the best that
technology has to offer, and continues to stay focused on the latest developments of efficient and
accurate detectors. However, NAS doesn't stop monitoring at the gate. Third, on-site raw material
handling and delivery equipment such as grapples are outfitted with radiological detectors to actively
monitor all material for radiological sources as the material is loaded for further processing. Fourth,
the electric arc furnaces are outfitted with the best detectors available to identify any radiological
contaminants before the melt process begins. Fifth, all furnace exhaust systems are equipped with in-
situ monitors to scan by-product materials as they are generated during the steel melting process.
Sixth, NAS maintains several portable survey and contamination instruments that have sensitivities
well below ambient background concentrations. These instruments are used for performing spot-
checks and on an as-needed basis. All detectors and instruments within the program are calibrated on
a routine basis and tested frequently with small quantities of sealed radiological sources or pulse
checks. Testing of most detectors occurs several times a day.
To assure all products leaving the facility are free of radiological contaminants, NAS is
committed to the multi-layered Radiological Protection Program as outlined above. Through this
program, NAS is actively committed to the quality of its products and the safety of its workers, the
general public, and the environment.
If you have questions concerning the radiation safety program, please do not hesitate to
contact the undersigned at 503-347-6692.
Sincerely,
`.*
Samantha Goodwin
Radiation Safety Officer