Radiation Safety Manual

3.  Policies

3.1  Approved User

3.1.1  Users must receive prior approval for all materials by submitting an "Application for Use of Radioactive Materials/Equipment" to the RSO/RSC for review and approval. Applications (see Appendix A Forms) are available from the RSO. Applicants must demonstrate training and experience commensurate with the types and amounts of materials to be used. Inexperienced applicants may gain experience under the direct supervision of an experienced approved user.

3.1.2  For routine uses of small quantities of radioactive materials or equipment, the RSO may temporarily approve use and users until permanent approval is granted by the RSC. Non-routine uses are only approved by the RSC.

3.1.3  If the nature of the material/equipment or application substantially changes then an amendment to the application must be submitted and approved by the RSC.

3.1.4  Approved users may supervise staff and visitors, who are not named in the UCAR Radioactive Materials License that is issued by the State of Colorado.  Supervision includes training the user in applicable lab specific procedures, the requirements of the UCAR Radiation Safety Manual, and closely monitoring day to day laboratory activities.  These staff and visitors must complete the UCAR sponsored Radiation Safety Orientation before using radioactive materials under the supervision of an Approved User.

3.2  State and Federal Licenses

State and federal radioactive materials licenses may be necessary prior to acquiring new or additional materials, moving, transferring, shipping, repairing, replacing or disposing of materials. Changes in responsibilities, use, or approved user may also require license amendment. All applicants shall notify the RSO of all changes involving radioactive materials. The RSO/RSC shall review changes, determine appropriate licensing requirements and initiate licensing activities with the appropriate regulatory agency. Operational changes may not be implemented until after the license has formally been amended.

3.3  Radiation Safety Orientation

Users of radioactive materials and equipment must be knowledgeable of regulations and safety procedures and are required to attend a Radiation Safety Orientation as designated by the RSO. Ancillary personnel whose duties may require them to work in the vicinity of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment must be informed of radiation hazards and receive basic instructions in radiation safety (risks, signs and symbols, emergency contacts and procedures). The authorized user is responsible for training ancillary personnel.

3.4  Acquisition/Procurement

All acquisition of any radioactive materials must receive the prior approval of the RSO/RSC. Applicants should fill out a purchase requisition (PR) specifically identifying the material as "Radioactive" and include isotope name, quantity and other relevant information. Purchasing shall send copies of all Purchase Requests to the RSO to ensure proper review and approvals and shall not order any radioactive material without the approval of the RSO/RSC.   Purchase of sources form vendors who will accept the source for subsequent disposal is strongly encouraged.

3.5  Receiving

Users must notify the RSO upon receipt of all materials. User must supply all acquisition, shipping and transfer documents. The RSO will inspect materials and equipment for damage, log materials into inventory and where appropriate, test for contamination. Materials may not be used until properly processed by the RSO.

3.6  Facilities

Materials can only be used in the equipment and in locations (specific to room) approved by the RSO/RSC. Proper facilities and equipment are required and may include disposable workbench liners, disposable gloves, trays, eye protection, lab coats, work shields, radiation detectors, etc. Radioactive materials must be stored in secured areas and in a manner to minimize the risk of breakage, damage or theft.

3.7  Inventory

The RSO will keep and maintain an up-to-date inventory of radioactive materials. Users shall notify the RSO of any and all changes in inventory prior to effecting said change.

3.8  Equipment Calibration

Survey meters and detection equipment shall be obtained, maintained and calibrated annually and after all repairs by the RSO.

3.9  Leak Tests

The RSO will conduct required leak tests for contamination of sealed sources when said sources are located at primary UCAR facilities.   Sources are tested every six months, or every three months is the source is designed to release alpha particles.  Smear test results of  > 0.005 uCi requires the source to be decontaminated and/or repaired before use.  Approved users must conduct leak testing for sources located remote from primary facilities.

3.10  Decontamination

Users are responsible for conducting routine surveys to detect excessive contamination or radiation, if required. Survey results must be documented in writing and a copy submitted to the RSO. If contamination in excess of permissible levels is detected, users must decontaminate the area.

The RSO may conduct additional testing as necessary to verify contamination control. Decontamination of the facility is required as described below:

3.11  Exposure Limits and ALARA

Users of materials and equipment are responsible for preventing exposures in excess of limits specified in section 11.1.  Additionally, use of materials and equipment shall be designed and used to keep exposures As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). If an exposure or intake above allowable limits is suspected it must be reported immediately to the RSO.

3.12  Labels and Signs

Entrances into laboratories containing radioactive materials must be conspicuously posted as noted below and with a Colorado Department of Health "NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES, STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION", Form OR-RH-15 and a ‘Caution Radioactive Materials” sign. All containers or equipment must be labeled with the name of the radionuclide, the activity, date and chemical composition, and source ID. All signs and labels required shall bear the conventional radiation symbol in magenta or purple on a yellow background. Signs and labels are available from the RSO.

3.12.1  Areas/Facilities:

Areas accessible to personnel and in which there exists a radiation level shall be conspicuously posted with signs bearing the radiation symbol and the words as follows:

"CAUTION-RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS," for those areas containing radioactive materials.

3.12.2  Containers:

"CAUTION-RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL," for all containers of radioactive material. Labels must also include isotope, activity and date.

3.12.3  Equipment:

"CAUTION-RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS," for equipment containing sealed sources such as Ni-63 or tritium.

Indiscriminate use of radiation signs and/or labels is prohibited. Such use conveys a false warning, which can breed disrespect for real hazards.

3.13  Waste

Disposal of all radioactive waste must be coordinated through the RSO.

3.14  Accidents, Emergencies, Security

All accidents, emergencies, loss or theft involving radioactive materials and equipment must be reported immediately to the RSO.

3.15  Decontamination

The RSO will supervise decontamination of facilities, equipment and personnel. However, the approved user is responsible for conducting all decontamination. DO NOT ATTEMPT DECONTAMINATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE RSO.

3.16  Other Acquisitions (Gifts, Loans, Transfers)

Materials acquired from sources, other than by purchase requisitions must receive prior approval of the RSO/RSC. Contact the RSO and submit a written request for approval to acquire materials. The RSO/RSC will review requests and initiate amendment activities.

3.17  Transfer of Material

Transfer of materials, internal or external to UCAR, must be coordinated through the RSO. This includes transfers between staff members, even if in the same department, and any transfer of material to any external organization or individual. Transfer of material to new locations external to UCAR facilities and/or other states and countries requires a complete new Radioactive Materials License and can take as long as 12 weeks to obtain.

3.18  Shipping

All materials shipped from UCAR facilities or by UCAR personnel require the prior review and approval of the Traffic Services Manager and the RSO/RSC and shall be in accordance with the Department of Transportation and other pertinent regulations.

3.19  Research Proposals

Approval from the RSC must be obtained prior to submitting any proposals that involve the use of radioactive materials/equipment.

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