Edition 17, May 1999

Radiation Safety Monthly Focus: Security

Our Monthly Focus for May is a matter that has received lots of attention in the past two years: security of radioactive materials. The whole issue of security came to the forefront when intentional acts by knowledgeable people--never identified--caused uptakes of radioactive material to occur at two biomedical research institutions, NIH and MIT. We know that intentional acts by knowledgeable people ("inside jobs") probably cannot be prevented even with extraordinary commitments and draconian restrictions on research. However, much as with preventing home burglary, there are some simple actions you can take to discourage crimes of opportunity. The same actions can help you achieve regulatory compliance and minimize the risk of civil liability. And, they can be done without harming the collegial interactions that are essential to research.

If you read last month's NUtrino then you already know where to start with security: know what you've got. Correlate your inventory forms and stock vials, perform regular inventories, and reduce unneeded stocks. If you work only with sealed sources, inventory them frequently. Next, the law requires you to secure licensed radioactive material from unauthorized removal or access, leading us to: lock the door to your laboratory when it is unattended, whether it is for five minutes or overnight.

Even when people are working in the laboratory, keep your stock materials in a designated, secure storage location (in many laboratories this means a refrigerator). Consider establishing a check-out procedure whereby materials are signed in and out. Enter required information on the inventory form immediately upon using the material, and also onto your waste log whenever you throw something away. Use the line-of-sight rule: if you are working where you cannot see your stock material or sealed source, put it back into storage.

Our radiation safety staff will be poking their heads into labs during May looking for signs of life, if the doors are unlocked. The potential for harm from willful misuse or accidental loss is a serious concern, and no one wants to experience the glare of public scrutiny that would accompany an incident and investigation. Each radiation worker must address the security issue each time radioactive materials are used.

Of Continuing Interest:

• Those of you who have been around Chicago for a few years know that our typical cool spring usually ends suddenly when the temperature rises into the 80's around Memorial Day. The temptation to wear shorts and sandals to work becomes strong, but you must resist! Protect yourself against acids, bases, carcinogens, pathogens and yes--radioactive materials--by dressing appropriately in the laboratory.
• May/June dosimeters now are being distributed; remember that they are to be worn for 2 months and returned on July 9.