IntroductionLaboratory
LicensingNew
LicensesLicense
AmendmentsLicense
RenewalLicense
TerminationResponsibilitiesLaboratory
Signs and LabelsLaboratory
AuditsState
InspectionsMost of the use
of
radioactive materials at the
The
At
least six (6)
weeks should be allowed for processing applications.
License requirements include laboratory
contact information, radionuclide information and limits, experimental
procedures, equipment to be used, waste information, and past training
and
experience.
Laboratory
contact
information includes building location, offices, telephone numbers at
work and
at home, and campus box number.
Radionuclide information includes radionuclide(s), amount of
activity
required for each experiment, and the physical and chemical forms
needed. Experimental procedures should
describe the
experiment and operating procedures to be used for each radionuclide. Operating procedures should include
information to limit the spread of contamination, frequency of surveys,
analysis methods such as liquid scintillation counters, and any special
logistics required to complete the experiment.
Equipment
item
information includes type, make, model, serial number(s), and location. For equipment that requires internal
radiation sources and/or calibration sources, information also includes
the
radionuclide, activity, physical and chemical forms, manufacturer, and
acquire
dates for the sources.
Waste
information should be broken into volume,
approximate percentage of the total waste, and chemical constituents. All laboratories using unsealed radioactive
material must perform contamination surveys, and will, therefore,
generate
scintillation vial waste upon analyzing the wipe smears.
Please refer to the Radiation Survey chapter
for more information. Biodegradable
scintillation cocktails are strongly recommended whenever possible. Please refer to the Waste
chapter for
additional information.
The
Training,
Education, and Experience sections refer primarily to the PI. These sections may be completed for
additional laboratory staff if necessary.
Dates should be provided as much as possible in these sections. Anyone using radioactive materials in a
laboratory also must obtain training specific to the type of radiation
used. Training is available by
contacting Health Physics. Please refer
to the Training
chapter for
additional information.
Amendments
are
required for changing radionuclides, experimental procedures, and
laboratory
locations. When in doubt, contact Health
Physics. At least three (3) weeks should
be allowed for processing amendment applications. Amendment
requirements include verifying and
updating laboratory contact information, radionuclide information and
limits,
experimental procedures, waste information, and past training and
experience. See New Licenses section for
clarification.
New
or different
experimental procedures should describe the experiment and operating
procedures
to be used for each radionuclide.
Operating procedures should include information to limit the
spread of
contamination, frequency of surveys, analysis methods such as liquid
scintillation counters, and any special logistics required to complete
the
experiment.
Waste
information should be broken into volume,
approximate percentage of the total waste, and chemical constituents
for each
new radionuclide and/or new procedure.
Remember, all laboratories using unsealed radioactive material
must
perform contamination surveys, and will, therefore, generate
scintillation vial
waste upon analyzing the wipe smears. Please
refer to the Radiation
Survey chapter
for more information. Biodegradable
scintillation cocktails are
strongly recommended whenever possible.
Please refer to the Waste
chapter for
additional information.
A
new/different type
of radiation may require additional training specific to the type of
radiation
used. Training is available by
contacting Health Physics. Please refer
to the Training
chapter for
additional information.
Renewals
are required
every three years by the Radiation Safety Committee.
At least four (4) weeks should be allowed for
processing a license renewal application.
License requirements are reviewed and updated including
laboratory
contact information, radionuclide information and limits, experimental
procedures, waste information, and past training and experience.
Termination
is
required for laboratories leaving the
PIs are responsible for the radiation safety program in their labs, including the following: overall supervision of work with radioactive materials, ensuring completion of basic and refresher training by all personnel, ensuring proper use and exchange of dosimeters when necessary, ensuring that contamination surveys are performed and properly documented, and ensuring compliance with all regulations and license commitments. Additionally, the PI must designate a Laboratory Contact. The Laboratory Contact is responsible for coordinating activities such as contamination clean-up (See Mishaps and Emergencies Chapter) and radioactive waste disposal (See Waste Chapter). Correspondence from Health Physics regarding lab practices will be sent to both the PI and the Lab Contact.
All entrances and doors to laboratories must have signs posted to warn users of hazardous conditions. For example, Caution Radioactive Materials, Caution X-ray Producing Equipment, Caution Lasers (various classes), and Emergency Notification Stickers are necessary for doors and entrances as applicable. Each laboratory must have a Notice to Employees posting. Additionally, all areas in a laboratory where radioactive materials are being used must be labeled clearly with Caution Radioactive Materials signs or stickers. This includes labeling equipment in which radioactive materials are used as well as equipment that contains radioactive sources. Equipment such as lasers and X-ray machines also should be labeled clearly. These signs and stickers may be obtained from laboratory safety supply vendors or are available free of charge by contacting Health Physics at (303) 492-6523.
Health Physics performs periodic audits of each laboratory using radioactive materials. These audits review training, contamination surveys and other safety issues to ensure compliance with the laboratory's Radioactive Materials License and Federal, State and local regulations. Laboratories may not be notified prior to an audit. Final audit findings are sent to the Licensee. Items of non-compliance and other concerns identified during the audit require a written response from the licensee which must include planned corrective actions.
The
