1. PREFACE
The University
of Kentucky strives to provide a safe and healthful environment for all
persons associated with the University, including faculty, staff, students,
and visitors. Attainment of this goal requires the cooperation and commitment
of all persons involved.
The Radiation
Safety Committee, appointed by the President, establishes radiation policies
and procedures for the University in accordance with requirements set
forth by State and Federal regulatory agencies. The Committee meets at
least once each calendar quarter.
Responsibility
for administering these policies and procedures rests with the Radiation
Safety Officer, who directs the Radiation Safety Office.
Radiation
safety philosophy, UK policies and procedures and Kentucky regulations
include an objective of maintaining all exposures at levels as far below
regulatory limits as can reasonably be achieved. The University strongly
supports the "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) safety
goal for radiation exposure.
The Nuclear
Regulatory Commission has been given the authority by Congress to relinquish
certain regulatory responsibilities via a formal agreement with states
that have an existing radiation control program. Kentucky is such an Agreement
State and has a radiation control program directed by the Cabinet for
Health Services, Radiation Control Branch.
The two broad
scope licenses granted to the University of Kentucky are similar to others
at academic institutions across the country. A broad license is issued
only to institutions that have a wide variety of uses for radioactive
material and many individuals using it.
2. ADMINISTRATION
OF THE RADIATION SAFETY PROGRAM
The Radiation
Safety Manual (www.uky.edu/Services/Environmental/radiation/)
is part of the Radioactive Material licenses UK has with the State of
Kentucky. This manual summarizes the terms of the University's authorization
and the regulations applicable to utilization of various radioactive materials.
A copy must be available in each Authorized User's facility where radioactive
materials are used. Copies of special precautions, regulations, and other
operating procedures specified by the Radiation Safety Committee or Radiation
Safety Officer as a condition for approval of radioactive materials authorization
must also be maintained and made available to laboratory personnel.
Prior to the
receipt of radioactive material by any researcher at the University, the
proposed Authorized User (AU) must submit an application to the Radiation
Safety Officer for specific approval of the use. To obtain authorization
to procure and use radioactive material, a prospective Authorized User
must complete an "Application For Authorization to Possess and Use
Radioactive Material" (Radiation Safety Manual Appendix A). The Radiation
Safety Officer (or his/her designee) will review the application, evaluating
the facilities available, the training and experience of the applicant
and staff for the proposed use, and the details of the work to be performed.
After the review, including any necessary modifications, the application
will be forwarded to the appropriate Radiation Safety Subcommittee (medical
or campus) with a recommendation for approval or disapproval. After approval,
the AU is authorized for the specific radionuclides, locations, and personnel
as well as any special instructions or limitations specified in the license.
Authorized
Users are responsible for ensuring that students and staff using radioactive
materials under his/her authorization are trained in safe laboratory practices,
are familiar with the terms of the authorization and are complying with
University policies and applicable regulations.
An
Authorized User must submit a new application if other radionuclides are
to be used or if procedures change that will significantly alter radiological
hazards. Modifying the protocol in an experiment may or may not require
a license amendment. Check with the Radiation Safety Office in advance.
A memo/form
to the Radiation Safety Officer must be submitted to request an increase
in possession limits, changes in lab and storage locations and other minor
changes. Email, memos or Radiation Safety Office forms are acceptable
for applying for these amendments.
The Radiation
Safety Office is to be informed of all changes in personnel working with
radiation sources. A Radiation Worker Registration form (Radiation Safety
Manual Appendix B) must be provided to the Radiation Safety Office when
a worker is added to the lab staff.
Inactive
Status
An Authorized
User may request in writing to the Radiation Safety Officer that his/her
authorization to use and store radioactive materials be temporarily changed
to an Inactive Status. This status allows the Authorized User to perform
and document survey/wipe tests and inventories on a less frequent basis
(quarterly). This provision is designed for laboratories that are not
planning on using radioactive materials for at least six months. The Authorized
User may not use radioactive materials with this status (this is a storage
only authorization). The Authorized User must submit a request to the
Radiation Safety Officer to return to active status when so desired.
3. ORDERING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
When ordering
radioactive materials, completed Radioisotope Order Forms (Radiation Safety
Manual Appendix C) should be sent directly to the Radiation Safety Office,
102 Animal Pathology, Speed Sort 0076 (or fax to 3-4752). All radioactive
materials received at UK must be received and processed at the Radiation
Safety Office. This includes off-campus transfers and free samples.
The Radiation
Safety Office processes the order the same day if the request is received
by 11:30 a.m. Orders received after 11:30 a.m. will be placed the next
business day.
Contact the
Radiation Safety Office, 3-6777, for contract prices with the available
vendors.
4. RADIOACTIVE
MATERIALS INVENTORY
Each order
of radioactive materials received at UK is added to the Authorized Users
Inventory using the RSO database. The database allows the Radiation Safety
Office to check the license and possession limits for each order. The
database sums the orders and calculates decay to give an instantaneous
amount for each Authorized User. This gives the Radiation Safety Office
a maximum activity for each lab.
This summation
does not, however, take into account the activity that is used in the
lab and moved to various waste streams. Each month, the Radiation Safety
Office will mail a form to the Authorized User along with the latest printout
of their inventory. This Monthly Inventory Form must be returned to the
Radiation Safety Office by the 15th of the month in which it is received.
Best estimates
for each waste stream should be assigned for each vial. Only vials used
that month need to be listed on the form. Enter non-decayed amounts on
the form. The database automatically calculates decay. Correlating volume
used versus the original activity in the vial is a way to estimate the
activity going into the waste streams.
If no radionuclides
were used that month, circle 'No Change' on the form.
Enter the
date on the last column of the Monthly Inventory Form when the vial is
completely used/discarded. The shipcode will be archived in the Radiation
Safety Office database and will not show up on the Authorized User's future
inventory printouts.
Any transfer
of materials on campus between Authorized Users must be documented on
the radioactive material inventory form returned to the Radiation Safety
Office by the user each month. No prior permission is needed from the
Radiation Safety Officer, however the users receiving the materials must
be authorized to use the radionuclides and they must stay within their
possession limits.
5. LABORATORY
PROTECTION POLICIES
Prevention
of the spread of contamination and minimizing radiation exposure is the
responsibility of the Authorized User. The Authorized User is also responsible
for providing: (1) radiation detection equipment to monitor removable
contamination and external radiation exposure levels as appropriate; and
(2) appropriate laboratory safety equipment and supplies (shielding, gloves,
fume hood, etc.).
Radiation
Safety Rules
- Eating,
drinking, smoking, and the application of cosmetics are prohibited in
a room where radioactive materials are used or stored.
- Protective
gloves shall be worn when handling contaminated or potentially contaminated
items.
- Pipetting
radioactive solutions by mouth is prohibited.
- Persons
with open wounds should be particularly careful when working with radioactive
materials (the wound should be properly covered).
- Disposable
absorbent pads and remote handling devices shall be utilized whenever
possible.
- Hands
should be washed thoroughly after handling radioactive materials, especially
before eating.
- Food items
shall not be stored in areas or equipment designated for radioactive
materials.
- Personnel
monitoring badges shall be worn in restricted areas, as applicable.
- Radioactive
waste shall be kept in labeled containers.
- Stock
shipments shall be handled and stored in specially designated locations.
- Good housekeeping
shall be maintained at all times. Contamination/spills shall be cleaned
up immediately.
- Follow
the established emergency procedures in the case of an accident.
- Conduct
radiation meter surveys after each use and wipe test surveys frequently
(document at least monthly). When measurements are abnormal, find the
cause and correct.
- When using
volatile radionuclides (e.g. iodine) or heating radioactive solutions,
always perform work in a properly operating fume hood.
- Transport
radioactive materials in such a manner as to prevent spillage or breakage
and ensure adequate shielding.
- Label
all containers of radioactive materials, including radionuclide, amount
and date. All containers except those in immediate use must be labeled.
- Utilize
shielding when necessary to maintain radiation levels as low as reasonably
achievable (ALARA).
- Store
radioactive material in locked cabinets/refrigerators or keep the laboratory
door locked when lab personnel are not present.
6. RADIATION
SAFETY OFFICE SURVEYS
Compliance
surveys will include measurements of external radiation levels near sources
in use, storage, waste containers, etc. and of removable contamination
by wipe testing. Both restricted areas (areas posted with radiation warning
signs and labels) and adjacent unrestricted areas will be surveyed. Surveys
will also include an examination of the presence and condition of warning
signs, instructions and other necessary postings and thorough review of
the record keeping system. Radiation Safety Office personnel will periodically
(at least quarterly) inspect the laboratories of Authorized Users to monitor
the lab's radiation safety program.
The Radiation
Safety Office will perform periodic inspections of Labs and deficiencies
will be reported to Principal Investigators. Certain citations require
notification of the AU. Other citations require notification and a written
response from the AU. If deficiencies are not corrected, are repeated,
or situations occur that compromise the safety of people at the University,
the Radiation Safety Office may increase sanctions including suspension
or loss of ordering privileges, surrender of material, or deauthorization
of use.
7. AUTHORIZED
USER SURVEYS
Formal Authorized
User survey schedules will be established by the Radiation Safety Officer
during application reviews. Unless otherwise instructed, the typical schedule
will be to survey after each use. At least once per calendar month, a
meter and wipe test survey must be performed and documented. Removable
contamination must be recorded in units of dpm/100 sq. cm. The Radiation
Safety Officer may, according to particular conditions (such as quantities
or types of materials used and an Authorized User's safety record), set
radiation safety survey schedules specifically designed for named laboratories
of Authorized Users.
Authorized
Users are responsible for including the following items as part of the
survey record:
- Diagram
of area surveyed
- List of
items and equipment surveyed
- Specific
locations where wipe tests were taken
- Ambient
radiation levels with appropriate units (mrem/hr.)
- Contamination
levels found with appropriate results (dpm/100 cm. sq.)
- Make,
model and calibration date of survey instrument used
- Background
levels (mrem/hr.)
- Name of
the person making the survey and recording the results, and date
Meter
Surveys
When beta (except
H-3, C-14 and S-35) and gamma emitters are used in the laboratory the Authorized
User must conduct an instrument survey using a portable, handheld meter.
During the monthly
Authorized User survey, recordskeeping, waste storage, security, and the
overall laboratory radiation safety program should also be reviewed.
8. WIPE TESTS
FOR REMOVABLE CONTAMINATION
The Radiation
Safety Office records removable contamination levels in terms of disintegrations
per minute (dpm) per 100 sq. cm. (standard areas to be covered by a "wipe").
Typical liquid scintillation counting efficiencies are 25 percent for H-3;
65 percent for C-14, S-35, and I-125; 100 percent for P-32 and 50 percent
for all other radionuclides. Laboratories may use these same counting efficiencies
for wipes or use their own established efficiencies.
Wipe tests are
performed by wiping the areas of interest with a filter paper disk and then
determining the activity in a counter calibrated for the suspected radionuclide.
Wipe tests are more sensitive than instrument surveys and should especially
be used when instrument surveys indicate possible contamination. They are
the only practicable method of monitoring for weakly penetrating beta emitters,
such as H-3, C-14 and S-35. They should be used for all surveys conducted
for the purpose of identifying and/or documenting removable contamination
levels.
| Contamination
Limits for Radiation Use Areas |
1000
dpm/100 sq. cm. beta/gamma
100 dpm/100 sq. cm. alpha |
| Contamination
Limits for Non-Restricted Non-Use Area |
| 200
dpm/100 sq. cm. |
When contamination
greater than these limits is detected, the area must be decontaminated and
retested until it meets the limits, and as far below as is practicable (ALARA).
All detectable radioactivity should be cleaned away whenever it is found.
9. TRAINING
The Radiation
Safety Office provides a series of training courses. On-Site training by
the AU and Initial training by the Radiation Safety Office are required
for Radiation Workers to be registered and start working with radioactive
materials.
The On-Site
Training form is available on the Radiation Safety Website. After the AU
completes this form, the prospective Radiation Worker is eligible for Initial
Training and the Basic Radiation Safety Course provided by the Radiation
Safety Office.
The Basic Radiation
Safety Course is required for new workers with little or no training or
experience. It must be completed within a 4-month period of initial employment.
The schedule for these classes is listed on the Radiation Safety Website.
Topics include rules and regulations, general laboratory safety, physics
and instrumentation, dosimetry, bio-effects, and emergency procedures.
The Advanced
Course is a more extensive lecture or on-line segment for those Radiation
workers new to UK but with significant training and experience, including
new faculty. The Radiation Safety Committee requires all radiation users
to attend these classes.
Upon satisfactory
completion of each course, a certificate will be issued.
10. SURVEY
INSTRUMENTS AND CALIBRATION
To facilitate
safe practice in the University, the Radiation Safety Committee requires
that an appropriate calibrated survey meter be available in each authorized
laboratory area. "Appropriate" in most cases means a thin window
Geiger-Mueller type meter (end window or pancake type) that will detect
nanocurie quantities of the particular radioisotopes utilized in the laboratory.
A "laboratory area" may be one laboratory or a series of connecting
laboratory spaces. Labs located on different floors or in different buildings
each need their own meter. Labs using only H-3, C-14 and/or S-35 are not
required to have a meter.
Instruments
must be calibrated annually. The Radiation Safety Office will perform these
calibrations without charge. The Radiation Safety Office should be informed
of the purchase of a new instrument, or repair of an existing instrument.
11. VACATING
LABORATORY SPACES
REMOVAL OR TRANSFER
OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
Any equipment
in the laboratory, which could have been contaminated with radioactive material,
must be surveyed before use in a non-radioactive laboratory, transfer to
a repair shop, or transfer to Surplus Property. UK Trucking will not pick
up any item with a radioactive sticker that does not have clearance from
the Radiation Safety Office
The Radiation
Safety Office must be informed of all changes in authorized laboratory spaces,
including transfers, laboratory relocations or departures from the University.
The Authorized
User is responsible for cleaning and surveying all spaces and equipment
and proper removal of all radioactive waste and radioactive sources prior
to the changes. Upon notification, the Radiation Safety Office will complete
a final clearance survey of the authorized spaces. Only the Radiation Safety
Office may remove radiation warning signs.
12. SEALED
SOURCE LEAK TESTS
The Radiation
Safety Office performs all sealed source leak tests. All beta/gamma and
neutron sealed sources (greater than 100 microcuries) will be tested for
leakage at intervals not to exceed six months.
All sealed sources
(greater than 10 microcuries) designed for the purpose of emitting alpha
particles will be tested at intervals not to exceed three months. Ni-63
foil sources (greater than 100 microcuries) will be tested at intervals
not to exceed six months.
13. NEW LABORATORY
SETUP
The Radiation
Safety Office will install any required lab entrance warning signs and provide
radioactive waste containers. The Authorized User should contact the Radiation
Safety Office to schedule the set-up.
14.
POSTING AND LABELING
The Radiation
Safety Office is responsible for posting areas with radiation warning signs.
The Authorized User is responsible for labeling equipment and lab supplies.
All doors accessing
areas that contain radioactive materials must be posted. All refrigerators,
freezers and other equipment which contains radioactive materials must be
labeled with "Caution: Radioactive Material" signs.
Any unattended
container of radioactive material, such as beakers or flasks, is required
to be labeled.
15. EATING,
DRINKING, SMOKING, COSMETIC APPLICATION IN LABORATORIES
Eating, drinking,
smoking and cosmetic application in any laboratory where radioactive materials
are used is prohibited. This is in recognition of the potential inhalation
and ingestion hazards and is consistent with good health physics practices.
16. FUME
HOODS
To protect personnel
from exposure to airborne radioactive material generated by laboratory procedures,
a properly ventilated fume hood should be used. There are three procedures
that specifically require the use of a fume hood:
- Iodinations
- Evaporations
- Use of
gaseous radioactive material
The airflow
in a hood when doing these procedures must indicate a rate of 80 to 150
linear feet per minute. The Occupational Health and Safety Department at
UK tests hoods for compliance.
17. PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Personal
protective equipment (PPE) such as laboratory coats, disposable gloves and
safety glasses can minimize contamination and exposure of personnel and
must be used. Gloves should be monitored and changed when needed. Researchers
must be aware that some chemical compounds may require specific glove material
for complete protection.
Long-sleeved
lab coats, long pants and closed toe shoes increase the protection of the
radiation worker from spills and accidental contamination. Any contamination
of personnel must be reported to the Radiation Safety Office immediately.
Respiratory
Protection
The use of respirators
is generally not necessary. A properly operating fume hood provides adequate
protection for most procedures (such as iodinations and evaporations). Powdered
radioactive materials should be handled in a glove box, negating any need
for a respirator.
No respirator-requiring
activities shall be conducted without approval of the Radiation Safety Officer.
Users must be fit-tested and have an approved Respirator Protection Plan
by the UK Occupational Health and Safety Department.
18. TRANSPORTING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (ON CAMPUS)
When
transporting radionuclides between rooms or buildings, precautions must
be taken to minimize the risk of accidents and the risk of exposing the
public to radiation. A secondary container can be used to avoid breakage
of the primary container.
19. TRANSPORTING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS OFF CAMPUS
Any shipment
of radioactive materials off campus from the University must be in full
compliance with U.S. DOT, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, IATA and State
of Kentucky requirements. Persons shipping radioactive materials must ship
them through the Radiation Safety Office to assure compliance with the regulations.
Package radiation
surveys, wipe tests, and labeling are provided by the Radiation Safety Office.
A limited supply of Type A shipping containers, required labels and shipping
papers is available. One-day notice to ship is requested; the package must
be received by 11:30 a.m. the day of shipment in order to be processed the
same day.
Shipments may
be made only to persons who are licensed to receive radioactive materials
and a copy of the recipient's radioactive materials license must be on file
in the Radiation Safety Office.
20. SECURITY
OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Radionuclides
must be secured from the possibility of unauthorized removal. Locking the
door(s) to the laboratory, using lockboxes or locking cabinets or refrigerators/freezers,
or having a registered radiation worker in direct attendance will accomplish
this.
21. WASTE
PROCEDURES
Labeled waste
containers, plastic liners and radioactive labels may be obtained by contacting
the Radiation Safety Office. As with all radioactive materials, contaminated
waste must be secured from unauthorized removal. Plastic solid waste containers
provided by the RSO come in 10 and 32-gallon sizes.
Regarding
waste forms:
The Radiation
Safety Office will provide "Radioactive Waste Receipt" forms to
all laboratories. The Authorized User (or designee) must complete all applicable
information. Use a separate ticket for each container. Attach the yellow
copy to the waste container and mail the white copy to the Radiation Safety
Office. You may bring the copies to the Radiation Safety Office to avoid
the time required for campus mail, but do not fax the ticket.
- Dry waste
- indicate container size (in gallons) and total activity of each radionuclide.
Liquids shall not be placed in solid waste containers. Relatively small
volumes (one ml) of aqueous (not organic) liquid may be transferred
onto absorbent material and placed in an appropriate solid radioactive
waste container. Metallic lead (shipping shields, etc.) must not be
placed in solid waste containers; it is a hazardous waste and must be
picked up separately.
- Aqueous
waste (generally carboys) - indicate volume (in gallons) and total activity
of each radionuclide. Indicate the pH. List all constituents of liquid
waste such as buffers, etc, and list the percent of each constituent.
Hazardous materials including heavy metals and organics are not allowed
in aqueous waste.
- Liquid
scintillation vials - indicate container size and total activity of
each radionuclide. Scintillation drum forms are available from the Radiation
Safety Office to aid in tracking.
- Animal/biological
- indicate approximate volume, radionuclide(s), and total activity.
This waste form must be frozen at the time of pickup.
- Mixed
waste - Document chemical constituents and radionuclide activities.
Dry Waste
Segregate solid
waste according to radionuclide half-life, as follows:
- < or
= 120 days
- > 120
days
- transuranics
elements (atomic numbers greater than 92)
For
solid waste with half-lives < or = 120 days, remove or deface all radiation
labels before placing materials in waste containers. The waste will not
be picked up if this is not done.
General labware
- Paper, plastic (including plastic pipettes), gloves, unbroken glassware,
etc. must be placed in dry waste containers, lined with a clear plastic
bag. The bag allows inspection of contents. These bags will be provided
by the RSO.
All glass pipettes,
broken glassware or other potential "sharps" must be placed in
a cardboard box and lined with a clear plastic bag. It may then be placed
in the "general labware" waste container of the same radioisotope
category or held separately for RSO pickup.
Do not place
radioactive biohazard material in "red bags". Radioactive biohazardous
waste is a special case. Contact the RSO about disposing of it.
Sharps (needles
and syringes, scalpels, etc.) must be placed in sharps containers and properly
labeled. Biohazard is a specific category that does not apply to all sharps.
Syringes used on animals or to transfer materials in vitro may not be classified
as biohazardous. Sharps containers that do not contain biohazards or that
have been autoclaved/ deactivated must reflect the category by having the
label defaced. Then it may be placed in the "general labware"
waste container of the same radioisotope category or held separately for
RSO pickup.
Aqueous Liquids
Liquid waste
is defined as easily soluble in water. The Radiation Safety Office can provide
5-gallon plastic carboys for aqueous waste.
Liquid wastes
must not contain solids, such as pipette tips, gels, or filters.
Aqueous liquids
may be released to the sewer system in specified laboratories in quantities
not to exceed 10 uCi per day. Contact the Radiation Safety Office for permission.
Liquids containing
biohazards must be sterilized (by autoclave or chemical methods) prior to
pick up by the Radiation Safety Office.
Scintillation
fluids
Scintillation
vials should remain intact with the cap on when put in the waste. All vials
except transuranics may be combined.
Non-Biodegradable
and Biodegradable vials are to be combined.
Normally, vials
will be placed in plastic containers with clear liners provided by the RSO.
Metal drums require special procedures denoted in Appendix E.
Multiple users
of scintillation vial drums require the approval of the RSO and also require
approval by Hazardous Materials Management. All users must document what
isotope and activity they are disposing in the drum. One Authorized User
must take ultimate responsibility for the container. All Authorized Users
must be specifically approved for use of the room. The room must be posted
and locked when unattended. Wipe surveys of the room must be available in
all of the AU's authorized to keep waste there.
Mixed Waste
Waste that contains
hazardous and radioactive components is mixed waste. This waste must not
be released to the sewer system (this includes biodegradable scintillation
fluid). All mixed waste is to be picked up and disposed of by UK personnel.
The total mixed and hazardous waste in a laboratory cannot exceed 55 gallons.
Containers for mixed waste are not provided.
Animal Waste
The Radiation
Safety Office must pick up all animal waste contaminated with radioactivity.
Animals with an activity < or = 0.05 microcuries per gram of C-14, H-3,
or I-125 averaged over the initial weight of the animal are exempt from
certain waste requirements. The RSO encourages maintaining a concentration
in animal experiments below this level. However, these must be kept out
of any food supply.
Freezing of
the animals is the responsibility of the AU until they may be picked up
by the RSO. Animals must be frozen and kept separate from excrement and
bedding. The Authorized User must have freezer space to adequately store
animal waste.
The Radiation
Safety office may provide boxes and liners for animal carcasses/bedding
depending on availability.
Segregate the
radioactive animal waste into half-lives < or = 120 days and half-lives
>120 days.
22. PERSONNEL
MONITORING
Radiation badges
and other dosimeters are provided by the Radiation Safety Office to measure
an individual's radiation exposure from gamma, neutron, energetic beta and
x-ray sources. The standard monitoring device is a clip-on badge or ring
badge bearing the individual assignee's name, date of the monitoring period
and a unique identification number.
Radiation protection
regulations and UK policy require that appropriate personnel monitoring
equipment be provided to individuals who are likely to receive an annual
radiation dose in excess of 10 percent of any of the following annual dose
limits:
- Total
effective dose equivalent of 5 rem
- Eye dose
equivalent of 15 rem
- Shallow
dose equivalent of 50 rem to the skin or to an extremity
- Persons
under 18 years of age and are likely to receive a radiation dose in
excess of 500 millirem in one year.
- Radiation
workers who have declared a pregnancy or planned pregnancy.
- Persons
who enter a High Radiation Area (exposure to greater than 100 millirem
in any one hour).
- Persons
operating analytical X-ray devices.
Procedures
for Monitoring Devices
Every individual
who works with radiation sources must file a Radiation Worker Registration
Form with the Radiation Safety Office. This form provides for the basic
information regarding training and experience and personnel monitoring needs.
Initial personnel monitoring decisions will be based on this information.
Further evaluations,
and re-evaluations, will be made through radiation employee registration
updates, application reviews, personnel monitoring reports, ALARA investigations
and surveys.
Radiation badges
are exchanged on a routine basis. The Radiation Safety Office sends replacement
badges to departments either monthly or quarterly. The previous badges must
be returned to the Radiation Safety Office by the tenth of the month so
that they may be properly processed.
Individuals
who work with less than one (1) millicurie at a time of any radionuclide
or those who work solely with C-14, H-3 and/or S-35 do not need film badges.
Personnel
Monitoring Protocol
The Radiation
Safety Office will request prior radiation dose histories from all past
employers. All personnel occupational radiation dose records will be maintained
by the Radiation Safety Office.
It will be the
responsibility of the Authorized User and each individual badge recipient
to wear and use the badge(s) properly and ensure that badges are returned
on time for processing.
Badges that
are not used or returned late may invalidate personnel monitoring records
involved.
Use of Personnel
Monitoring Devices
The whole body
badge (or other device) is to be worn on the body where it will most likely
approximate the radiation exposure to the head and torso of the wearer.
Badges shall be worn only by the person they are assigned to and only at
University of Kentucky facilities.
Generally,
whole body badges should be worn between the waist and the neck. When a
protective apron is worn, the badge should be worn at the collar, outside
the apron. The Radiation Safety Officer may be consulted for advice in these
circumstances.
Extremity monitoring
badges (rings) are available. Ring badges should be worn whenever working
with applicable sources. Gloves should be worn over the ring badge to prevent
its contamination.
Deliberate exposure
of a monitoring device will be reported to the person's supervisor and the
Kentucky Radiation Control Branch.
Personnel
Monitoring Reports
Routine monitoring
periods are currently quarterly for research personnel. Annual reports are
provided in writing to radiation workers.
The
personnel monitoring reports are on file in the Radiation Safety Office.
Any individual may review his or her monitoring reports at the Office.
ALARA Notifications
The As Low As
Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) program includes two badge exposure Action
Levels. Written Level I notifications are sent to radiation workers who
receive a dose of 40 mrem or more in a single monitoring period (prorated
for one month's exposure). The notification requests that worker(s) review
their procedures to find feasible ways to reduce exposure.
Level II notifications
are sent to radiation workers who receive a dose of 125 mrem or more in
a single monitoring period (prorated for one month's exposure). The notification
requires that worker(s) review their procedures and respond in writing with
an explanation of the dose and recommended corrective actions.
|
Part
of Body
|
Notification
Level I
|
Notification
Level II
|
|
(millirem
per month)
|
| Whole
body (head, trunk),gonads, upper arms or legs |
40
|
125
|
| Lens
of the eye |
125
|
375
|
| Skin
of whole body; extremities (hand, elbow, lower arms or legs,
foot, knee) |
400
|
1250
|
| Embryo-Fetus
|
N/A
|
10
|
|
Overexposure
If an exposure
exceeds the maximum allowable dose, the employee and supervisor will be
notified and the required reports will be filed with the Kentucky Radiation
Control Branch.
INTERNAL
EXPOSURE
Bioassay
Program
Bioassay is
the determination of the kind, quantity or concentration, and location of
radioactive material in the human body by direct (in-vivo) measurement or
by analysis (in-vitro) of materials excreted from the body. Commonly employed
bioassay techniques at UK include urinalysis and thyroid monitoring. A background
bioassay should be completed before use with radioactive materials begins.
- Tritium (H-3). Urinalysis is required when 100 millicuries or more
of tritiated water or tritium compounds are used in one month.
- Iodine (I-125, I-131). A thyroid bioassay by external counting is
required if:
- One (1) mCi is used in a 3-month period on the tabletop in a volatile
form.
- 10 mCi is used in 3 months on the tabletop if bound to a nonvolatile
agent.
- 10 mCi is used in a Fume Hood in a volatile form.
- 100 mCi is used if bound to a nonvolatile agent
UK Pregnant
Employee - Fetal Dose Policy
A potentially
harmful situation arises when a pregnant female is exposed to radiation.
Exposure of such a worker to ionizing radiation from either external or
internal sources would also involve exposure of the embryo or fetus. A number
of studies have indicated that the embryo or fetus is more sensitive to
radiation than an adult, particularly during the first three months after
conception, when a woman may not be aware that she is pregnant.
Federal and
state regulations and UK policy require that special precautions be taken
to limit exposure to radiation sources when an occupationally exposed woman
could be pregnant. The current maximum permissible radiation exposure is
500 millirems for the duration of the gestation period, and the monthly
exposure should be limited to 50 millirems. Fetal monitoring (double badging)
is available at through the Radiation Safety Office.
In order to
be recognized as pregnant, for the purpose of exposure limits, a person
must declare in writing to the Radiation Safety Office that she is pregnant.
It is recommended that the pregnant person avoid higher radiation exposure
procedures and those that could result in internal exposure.
23. RECORDS
REQUIREMENTS
The Radiation
Safety Office is charged with maintaining control of all UK radioactive
materials. The Authorized User is therefore required to maintain certain
records. The Authorized User is required to keep the records current and
to make them readily available to laboratory workers, the Radiation Safety
Office, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services. It is recommended
that a notebook be maintained with the required information. Records are
to be maintained by the Authorized User for a period of three (3) years
unless advised otherwise.
Copies of the
following shall be available in the laboratory:
- radioactive
material inventory records submitted to the Radiation Safety Office
- radiation
and contamination surveys performed by the Authorized User
- radioactive
waste disposal ticket receipts
- radiation
worker training certificates
Copies of
the following shall be available from the Authorized User:
- authorization
to use radioactive materials and attachments
- radiation
worker registration forms
- the University's
current Radiation Safety Manual
The following
incidents shall be reported to the Radiation Safety Office immediately:
- contamination
of personnel
- the ingestion,
inhalation, or any internal deposition of radionuclides
- a lost
or missing radioactive source (including waste)
- radioactive
spills involving 100 or more uCi's
- a laboratory
accident (fire, explosion, etc.) which may result in the release or
breach of security of radioactive materials
24. ANIMAL
HANDLING PROCEDURES
The Radiation
Safety Office requires information for the authorization of projects involving
the administration of radionuclides to animals. The information required
is on the original application form. Instructions for handling and monitoring
of the animals and proposed method of disposal of the animal and excreta
shall be posted in the animal housing area prior to administering the
radionuclide to the animals.
25. ACADEMIC
X-RAY MACHINES REGISTRATION
All machines
capable of producing ionizing radiation must be registered with the UK
Radiation Safety Office. The following types are included:
- X-ray
diffraction/fluorescence units
- particle
accelerators
- neutron
generators
- any other
equipment that may produce ionizing radiation
A label bearing
the words, "Caution - Radiation - This Equipment Produces Radiation
When Energized" shall be placed near the switch that energizes the
tube. A sign bearing the words, "High Intensity X-ray Beam"
shall be in place adjacent to each tube housing. Unused ports on radiation
source housings shall be secured in the closed position. Under no circumstances
shall shutter mechanisms or interlocks be defeated or in any way modified
except as approved in writing by the Radiation Safety Office.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR X-RAY MACHINE OPERATORS
No person
shall be permitted to operate academic X-ray machines until they have:
- received
instructions in relevant radiation hazards and safety
- received
instructions in the theory and proper use of the machine
- demonstrated
competence, under supervision, to safely use the machine
26. EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES
In any radiation
emergency, personnel protection and emergency medical care have priority
over radioactive decontamination of the building and equipment. For all
cases, the Radiation Safety Office (phone # 323-6777, or 911 after hours)
must be notified as soon as possible. The emergency may demand other immediate
action by those on the scene before this can be done.
The Authorized
User should be prepared for minor spills and reasonably anticipated emergencies.
The individual can prearrange to have on hand specific equipment and supplies
uniquely required by his operation to minimize hazards and enhance recovery.
In case of fire
or explosion, call Campus Police (911). If possible, stay on the scene to
acquaint emergency personnel with the nature of the radiation hazards present
and to assist them as required. Follow instructions for Major Radioactive
Spills below.
MAJOR RADIOACTIVE
SPILLS
Personnel
Protection
- If hazard
is extreme (high radiation level or suspect air contamination), evacuate
the area immediately; close and lock the door.
- Remove
contaminated clothing and wash contaminated parts of the body thoroughly
with detergent.
- Contact
the Radiation Safety Office (323-6777)/after hours Campus 911.
- Warn fellow
workers of the spill hazard and keep others out of the area.
- Localize
and control area of spill. Place absorbent material over a liquid spill.
- Do not
track contamination out of the spill area. Remove shoes at the edge
of contaminated area if they could be contaminated.
- If contamination
is widespread outside the laboratory, it may be necessary to call the
Campus Police (911) to assist in securing the area.
- Check
all objects and clothing for contamination before leaving the area.
MINOR RADIATION
SPILLS
A minor spill
does not involve contamination of personnel, is generally less than 100
microcuries and does not involve airborne contamination. The following steps
should be taken:
- Warn fellow
workers of the spill hazard and keep others out of the area.
- Place
absorbent material over a liquid spill.
- Be careful
not to track contamination out of the spill area. Remove shoes at the
edge of the contaminated area. Use disposable gloves to prevent contamination
of the hands and to prevent cross-contamination.
- Check
all objects and clothing for contamination before leaving the area.
- Call the
Radiation Safety Office if assistance is needed.
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