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News and training for radiation workers at Northwestern University                           Number 49         March, 2002

 

 

Expanded Training for New Radiation Workers Offered in Chicago

 

Is radiation safety training just another burden added to your already busy workday? Want to get your new radiation workers started off on the right foot? The Office for Research Safety now offers a supplemental training class each month for radiation workers on the Chicago campus. It is of value not only to workers who have no prior training or experience, but also to experienced workers who are new to NU. ORS health physicist Joe Princewill presents a program that focuses on practical information such as contamination control, waste collection, filling out inventory and waste forms, the dosimetry schedule, and proper care and use of survey meters.

 

The class is designed for persons using unsealed sources such as H-3, P-32, S-35, and I-125. Attendees already should have received the New Radiation Worker packet, read the material, completed the registration form, and viewed the basic training videotape. Please note that this class supplements, but does not replace, the procedure- and radionuclide-specific training you must provide to new workers, annual refresher training, and training required when new radionuclides or procedures are introduced in the laboratory.

 

ORS sends invitations via e-mail to the authorized investigators approximately two weeks prior to the class date.

Due to resource limitations we currently offer this class only to workers on the Chicago campus.

 

Please Register Only Radiation Workers

 

Each month, we find that some newly registered workers left the laboratory after just a few days or weeks, or do not use radioactive materials or sources, or never did use them. Because sponsored research tends to grow faster than the resources that support it, and registering radiation workers requires resources, we ask that you 1) not send students or employees down to ORS to register unless they will be bona-fide users, and 2) notify us right away when workers leave. We will do our part by getting workers registered as quickly as possible.

 

Liquid Scintillation Cocktail Information Needed

 

We have to prepare new waste "profiles" for the treatment, storage, and disposal facilities that handle liquid scintillation waste. Profiles include information such as RCRA waste codes, DOT shipping descriptions, and a determination of whether the waste is a hazardous material. We may be able to use container labels or MSDSs, or simply look up information if we know the product name. Please be prepared to cooperate with ORS staff when they ask you about the cocktail you use.

 

Use this NUtrino as a training tool for new workers and required annual refresher training for current workers. Circulate it among the radiation workers in your group and have them sign and date the training form on the back. File it with your authorization and other radiation safety documents for review during regulatory inspections. Discuss it during laboratory meetings. We have back issues, or you can print them off the web at http://www.northwestern.edu/research-safety/rad/nutrino/nutindex.htm.

 

Office for Research Safety - Office of the Vice President for Research  - Radiation Safety Committee

Ward B-106 Chicago Campus, phone 3-8300                                    Tech NG71 Evanston Campus, phone 1-5581

so-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Univers \(W1\)"'>Office for Research Safety - Office of the Vice President for Research  - Radiation Safety Committee

Ward B-106 Chicago Campus, phone 3-8300                                    Tech NG71 Evanston Campus, phone 1-5581