Number 34 October, 2000

2000 Radiation Olympics, or, How to Score a 10 with IDNS

The next IDNS inspection could come any day now--the true test of your training and performance in the practices and operational controls needed to work safely and in compliance with the radiation regulations. You can expect spot checks and questions asked of randomly selected lab workers. The inspectors will have done their homework; they will come in knowing what is used in your laboratory and who uses it. Starting today you will want to concentrate on the following strength and endurance exercises to ensure that your lab will be a dream team.

Ö	Security, Degree of Difficulty (DOD) 5. In this more recent event, inconvenience is not an accepted excuse. If you can't always lock the door when you leave, lock the materials up in secure storage.
Ö	Correlating Stocks and Inventory Forms, DOD 8. You have to have an inventory form for every vial and vice-versa. Pull a vial out of your refrigerator or freezer and do the test. Call ORS immediately if your inventory form is missing. Receive something that was not checked in through ORS? Call today and we will provide the inventory form.
Ö	Food or Drink In the Lab, DOD 3. A no-brainer. Never allowed. We don't want to see anyone surreptitiously drop a cup of coffee into a briefcase this time.
Ö	Labels on everything for which labels are required, DOD 8. Putting disposable gloves into a temporary receptacle? Must be labeled. Storing rad materials in a refrigerator? Must be labeled. Working in a designated work area? Label it. Incubating labeled cells? Label the incubator.
Ö	Contamination, DOD 6. Inspectors will do spot-checks for contamination. If they find it and you did not know about it, your score will drop like a gymnast off the high bar. Do a survey after every procedure and clean up any contamination immediately.
Ö	Survey Meter, DOD 5. How do you know your meter is working? Do you check it with a source of radiation each time you use it? Have you done a battery check? We couldn't make it easier for you to keep your meter calibrated and in good repair, so take advantage of the service (but you have to buy your own batteries).
Ö	PPE, DOD 4. Don't touch that tube!--not without your gloves, anyway. Style points go way down if you aren't wearing your lab coat or you pick up something you shouldn't with your bare hands.
Ö	Waste Only in Waste Containers, DOD 5. Look into your regular trash cans today; give them a quick survey with your meter. Radwaste in the trash can is the belly-flop of these games.