June 1997

We are calling this edition "Shorts" because we want to present some "short takes" on several different topics. The first is of particular interest now that warmer weather is here.

Shorts in the lab. Wearing shorts and sandals in the research lab is a real no-no. Investigators must be aware that they may be unprotected from civil torts (read: lawsuit) if a student is not provided with appropriate protective clothing and equipment, or dresses inappropriately, and is injured as a result. "Protection of students and employees from toxic materials is not only a moral obligation but also an economic necessity--the price of accidents in terms of time and money spent on litigation can be very high."¹ Torts which might occur in the laboratory are for the most part likely to be the result of negligence. Academic laboratories in institutions of learning are more likely places for torts to occur than are industrial or governmental laboratories.² Protect your students and employees and yourself; provide appropriate personal protective clothing, and enforce the wearing of proper attire in the laboratory.

¹Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, Committee on Prudent Practices for Handling, Storage, and Disposal of Chemicals in Laboratories, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1995, p. 19

²Laboratory Safety:Principles and Practices, Brinton M. Miller, ed., American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 1986, p. 7

Radwaste Logs. This month ORS personnel are looking closely at laboratory records of material placed into radwaste containers. As noted in the January 6, 1997 NUtrino, you must maintain a written record of the waste you put into a specific container, including the nuclide, amount of activity and date.

Radiation Workers Changing Labs. Got a new person in your lab who previously registered in another lab? You need to sign a new registration form for that worker. And don't forget to add the worker to your posted radiation worker list.

Sharing radioactive materials with another lab may be economically desirable or just plain convenient. If you want to share, you have to follow these rules: 1) Verify the recipient is licensed for it; 2) Enter the amount on your inventory form; 3) Call ORS for approval; 4) Provide the material only after ORS approves. We will issue a new inventory form to the recipient. If you don't follow these simple steps, you are not in compliance.

Missed bioassays place more and more authorizations in jeopardy. Remember that if you or your radiation workers miss 3 bioassay deadlines in 5 years, your authorization is history. You will have to reapply to committee.

Bloated inventories cause consternation for some investigators because they bump up against the limits when placing orders (sometimes delaying them), and it becomes difficult to demonstrate compliance. Take a look at your accumulated yellow inventory forms and return them to ORS if the material is gone; otherwise they just take up space on the books. ORS will not increase limits just to get around poor turnaround of forms by the laboratory.

The Radiation Safety Web Page is found at http://www.northwestern.edu/research-safety. At the University's home page click on "Research," then "Research Offices and Services," then "Office for Research Safety."