California radiation protection safety program

Sample counting and a dose assessment will be done using off-site resources. Possible resources are listed below:. The RSO will review all dosimetry results and is responsible for notification to the CDPH in cases of known or suspected exposure above the legally permitted exposure limits. When an exposure reaches or exceeds legal limits, depending on the extent of the overexposure, personnel may be required to avoid future work with ionizing radiation for an extended time. All female employees who work with ionizing radiation will be given a copy of the U.

Federal and state regulations 10 CFR and 17 CCR specify the radiation dosimetry records, reports, and notifications required for institutions using radioactive materials.

The Radiation Safety Officer is responsible for maintaining a permanent record of the occupational radiation exposures for all persons who participate in the dosimetry program at CSUN. Occupational exposure records are confidential, so none may be forwarded without a written request. Authorized Users are responsible for ensuring that all individuals who may be exposed to ionizing radiation by an activity listed on their IRUA be instructed in the precautions to minimize exposure and prevent the spread of radioactive contamination.

The Radiation Safety Officer will assist with this training as required. The Authorized User is responsible for ensuring all individuals listed on their IRUA receive adequate radiation safety training. The Authorized User must conduct training that is specific to projects. The topics covered by these types of training are:. After training, all new users are required to complete a test and certification of training.

Students using ionizing radiation as part of a classroom IRUA may satisfy the training requirements by their classroom training.

The Authorized User shall present periodic refresher training at least annually. Training should include the following:. Authorized Users are responsible for ensuring that animal caretakers and custodians are aware of potential hazards and are adequately trained in necessary precautions when radioactive materials are administered to live animals.

Authorized Users are responsible for ensuring that all individuals who may be exposed to ionizing radiation as part of an academic activity receive radiation safety training. This training can be part of the class curriculum or conducted separately and shall cover as applicable the topics listed in 5. Also, any acquisition of radioactive materials must be within the limits established in the IRUA. The procedures for ordering RAM are:. Northridge, CA Inspection and monitoring of all RAM packages will take place within 3 hours of receipt or within 3 hours of the beginning of the next work day for late arrivals.

The AU is also responsible for the proper storage, labeling, use, and disposal of the material or machines, and for maintaining proper records. Records of the receipts, transfers, and disposal of authorized radioactive materials or radiation producing machines must be maintained at all times. It is the responsibility of the Authorized User to keep the inventory up-to-date. All transfers of radioactive materials must have specific prior approval of the RSO.

While the majority of radiation control programs at CSUN rely on correct experimental design, the problem of contamination is most easily handled when the personnel directly involved with the project routinely conduct appropriate contamination monitoring surveys. Contamination surveys do not need to be performed during periods when no radioactive materials are used.

It is important to select and use a contamination detection instrument that is appropriate for the type of radioactive material being used. Following are the recommended contamination survey instrument for the types of radiation typically used at CSUN:. Form Appendix B , can be used for recording contamination survey results. Area must be resurveyed after decontamination and results of the resurvey documented. Note: H-3, Kr, source material, and materials in gaseous form are exempt from leak testing.

Permanent records of the results of these tests will be maintained by the RSO. Each Authorized User must have access to an instrument that is capable of detecting radiation levels that will allow an adequate hazard assessment. No Authorized User may use or store sources of radiation in such a manner as to cause a radiation exposure above the limits specified in 10 CFR If contamination or unusually high radiation fields develop in uncontrolled areas at any time, it is the responsibility of the Authorized User to notify the RSO immediately after the AU becomes aware of the situation.

Notify the RSO in advance if a procedure is anticipated to lead to contamination or any other radiation hazard. The RSO shall conduct periodic surveys of all areas in which significant radiation may be present and institute or recommend appropriate corrective measures in cases where contamination or other sources of potential hazards are detected.

The review normally includes a field investigation by the RSO, a review of radiation and contamination monitoring surveys during the past year, with the findings submitted to the Radiation Safety Committee. Radioactive materials must be stored in a manner that prevents unauthorized removal from the place of storage. Each Authorized User must conduct and maintain semi-annual physical inventories to account for sealed sources under their control.

Records of the inventories must be maintained and kept available for inspection and must include the quantities and kinds of radioactive materials, location of sealed sources and the date of inventory. All entrances to radioactive material use or storage rooms must be posted with a sign or label that reads:.

Radioactive materials may not be transferred to, or used in an unposted area, except in the following limited case: Posting is not required for temporary use not to exceed four 4 hours in areas in which there is a trained individual in constant attendance to prevent exposure of any individual to radiation or radioactive material.

All containers holding radioactive materials during transport, for storage, or during processing and use, must be conspicuously labeled "Caution - Radioactive Material. State of California Form RH , "Notice to Employees," must be permanently and conspicuously posted whenever radioisotopes are in use.

Additional copies can be obtained from the RSO. Every person who uses ionizing radiation is responsible for taking precautions to ensure that radiation exposures are as low as reasonably achievable ALARA.

The IRUA will prescribe additional specific precautions and conditions. Exposure time, distance from the source, and shielding control the external radiation exposure from a given radiation source. Increasing the distance from the source is frequently the most effective and economical means to reduce radiation exposure from gamma rays and other highly penetrating radiations. The radiation field varies inversely with the square of the distance. For this reason, always use tongs or other long-handled tools for manipulating radionuclide preparations emitting significant levels of radiation.

Radioactive materials should never be picked up with the fingers. Low-level sources can be handled with short forceps that provide a large reduction in exposure when compared with direct skin contact. Decreasing the time of exposure decreases the radiation dose proportionately. It is important to include "dry runs" with non-radioactive material for critical steps in planning of all work that may involve substantial radiation exposure.

Carry out new procedures in a dry run with non-radioactive materials before using the radioactive material. Shielding the source of radiation will be necessary when the maximum distance and minimum time do not ensure a significantly low exposure to operating personnel. A material with a high atomic number Z is most effective in absorbing most types of radiation. High Z materials should not be used to shield materials that emit beta particles e.

Beta rays produce penetrating radiation called bremsstrahlung. The intensity of the bremsstrahlung varies directly with the square of the energy of the beta radiation and the average atomic number Z of the shielding material. Therefore, use low atomic number materials such as plexiglass for shielding beta radiation wherever possible.

When working with energetic beta emitters, avoid exposing hands above opened containers where the dose rate can be on the order of rads per minute for commonly used quantities of beta emitters such as P Time, distance, and shielding are obviously not available for protection when the source of radiation is internally incorporated into the body through inhalation, ingestion or injection.

Preventing physical contact with unsealed sources of radioactive material most easily controls internal exposure. Always use significant quantities of unsealed radioactive material inside properly designed exhaust-ventilated enclosures. In a well-designed low or moderate level laboratory, wear protective clothing consisting of laboratory coats and rubber or plastic gloves when working with radioactive material.

All radioactive waste must be transferred to the RSO for disposal. No radioactive materials can be discharged into the campus sewer system or into the air without specific prior approval by the campus RSO to assure compliance with applicable government regulations. All wastes must be segregated by isotope and physical form. Different physical forms include but are not limited to :. Each container of radioactive waste must be labeled with the following:.

In addition to the general requirements listed in 8. The RSO may choose to decay radioactive material in storage prior to release as non-radioactive material. The procedures to be followed are summarized below.

The forms should be submitted to the RSO mail code The RSO is also available to assist with completing the forms and addressing any safety issues related to the proposed radiation machine use. The equipment should be placed in an area that is not in the main traffic pattern of the laboratory or near other continuously occupied work areas. A room devoted solely to the radiation-producing machine is ideal, since it may be locked when not in use or during unattended operation.

Proper placement of the machine will direct any scatter or stray beams away from the operator and toward an unoccupied area, preferably an outside wall.

Any change in the location of a radiation-producing machine must have prior approval of the RSO. Radiation survey meters are required for use of many radiation-producing machines.

The survey meter must be appropriate for the type and energy of radiation produced. The RSO can recommend appropriate survey meters for specific applications. After any repairs or modifications to a radiation-producing machine, interlocks, or shielding, the RSO or qualified repairperson must be consulted before operation is resumed to ensure that none of the machine's safety features have been compromised. Any radiation-producing machine received, sold, disposed of, or relocated must be reported to the RSO.

Reports must include:. Most spills on Campus will involve, at most, millicurie quantities of radioactive materials. The following procedures can be used for this type of spill:. Be prepared to describe the present situation. Environmental Health and Safety. Skip to Content. Enter the terms you wish to search for. Portal Webmail Directory Canvas. CSU Training Site. Environmental Mgmt. Radiation Safety Manual. Introduction 1. Responsibilities 2. The President of the University is ultimately responsible for the efficacy of the program.

Membership: The Radiation Safety Committee shall consist of at least five members, including representatives from administration, the radiation safety office and faculty. Members shall be knowledgeable and experienced in relevant radioactive materials use and in radiation safety. Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the President or designee and shall serve at the pleasure of the President. Responsibilities : The Committee shall evaluate and maintain surveillance over all uses of radioactive material and other sources of ionizing radiation at the University.

The Committee shall be the organization at the University that ensures that the use of ionizing radiation meets or exceeds the safety requirements contained in the CSUN Radioactive Materials License and the provisions of State and Federal regulations.

This responsibility includes the authority to suspend or revoke permission to use ionizing radiation at the University. Meetings : The Chair of the Committee shall convene the Committee as often as is necessary to consider all issues relevant to radiation safety, but not less than twice each year. A quorum simple majority must be present for a meeting to be official. An action item shall pass or fail by the majority of those present each member shall have one vote.

The RSO is responsible for advising the CSUN President on all matters related to radiation protection, for reviewing and approving all proposed uses of ionizing radiation, and for advising and guiding Environmental Health and Safety in carrying out the campus radiation safety program.

Radiation Regulation Notice. Radioactive Waste. Radioactive Material Survey. Radiation Safety Training and Experience. Last modified: April 22, This old statute applied to any facility with a radiation source. Large complicated radiation protection manuals have been required in hospitals and large installations for decades.

In October the new small office QA regulations for wet processors went into effect, and I noticed its first enforcement in early Those were chaotic times.

Shortly thereafter CDPH began enforcing the old requirement for a radiation safety program in small offices. Enforcement was sparse and random in , but did increase slowly over the ensuing years until by , not having one would likely result in a violation.

In I had several conversations with the inspection compliance chief at CDPH-RHB who said enforcement would increase , several health physicists in administrative positions at RHB, then over the years a few health inspectors and doctors who got violations.