Number 47 December, 2001

Rules Apply to Non-Radiation Workers, Visitors in Your Lab

The collegiality and multi-faceted nature of the laboratory environment is such that you may have a mix of radiation workers and non-radiation workers in your lab, as well as visitors and other investigators' students. What are the rules that apply in those situations?

1. The prohibition on storage, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages in the radiation laboratory applies to everyone who walks in the laboratory door. It is the responsibility of the authorized investigator in charge of the lab to enforce it. When a violation leads to a citation, it is the authorized investigator in whose lab the violation takes place who is cited. Evidence of prohibited activities -- such as food wrappers or waste in a trash can -- may lead to citations as well.
2. All persons entering the lab must be notified of hazards, both radioactive and otherwise. Relying on signage alone may not be sufficient. The authorized investigator must provide training to all persons in the laboratory in the safe work practices, operational controls, and engineering features necessary to ensure their safety.
3. All persons working in the lab must know the emergency and evacuation procedures and the location of emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, emergency showers, and eyewash stations.
4. The authorized investigator must ensure that sources of radiation are safeguarded from improper use or use by unregistered or unqualified persons.
5. Radiation workers may perform only that work allowed under the specific authorization of the lab in which the work is being performed. Importing radioactive materials not covered by the lab's authorization is prohibited.
6. When personal protective clothing and equipment is required, it is the authorized investigator's responsibility to ensure that it is appropriate and is used, regardless of whether the investigator provides it or the student or visitor brings it with them.

Look at these rules from the flip side, too. When you or your workers or students temporarily work in another laboratory, protect yourself by following the rules applicable to that lab, and learn the particular hazards, protective measures, and emergency procedures of that workplace.

Dosimetry Deadline

We would like to remind all investigators who use personnel dosimetry (body badges and ring dosimeters) that they must be returned by the deadline. You will find the deadline printed on an insert that is included with your new dosimeters. The general rule is that used dosimeters should be returned to ORS within a week following the end of the wear date. The assumption is that you received your new dosimeters in the mail prior to that. If you did not, keep wearing the old dosimeters and call ORS and ask us where the new ones are.