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Question 135: 10 CFR 20.1206 permits a planned special
exposure (PSE) only if the alternatives that might avoid
the higher exposure are unavailable or impractical. Under
certain conditions, the collective dose for a task could be
reduced if it could be performed by one worker receiving a
PSE, rather than by a series of several workers each
receiving a dose less than the limit. Under these
conditions would the NRC consider the alternative of using
the series of workers to be unavailable or impractical?
Answer: No. Reductions in collective dose should be
accomplished while keeping workers within the dose limits.
Planned special exposures cannot be justified solely on the
basis that they will reduce collective dose; however,
reduction in collective dose may be part of the
justification. (Reference: 10 CFR 20.1206).