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Five Rules Every Radiation Worker Must Follow

 

1.      Security. The law and national security require that sources of ionizing radiation be monitored and secured to prevent unauthorized access. Basic security measures are applicable to the small sources in your laboratory because the consequences of improper use may be far out of proportion to the activity or the potential for real harm. Lock your lab when it is unattended. Return stock materials to secure storage when they are not needed on the bench. Inventory your stock materials frequently. Report discrepancies to ORS. Report any loss or theft to University Police immediately upon discovery.

2.      User Surveys. Look for contamination in your lab on a regular basis and clean it up when you find it. NUtrino 60 (February, 2003) said it: There is no excuse if we come back a week later and find the same contamination. That, like food in the lab or lack of security, is a basis for escalated enforcement.

3.      Food. Food and beverages, evidence of their preparation, consumption, or storage, and food waste including wrappers are prohibited in the laboratory. Coffee is one of those prohibited substances!

4.      Labels. Each container in which you collect radioactive waste or other radioactive materials must have a label that alerts people to the presence of radioactivity. This includes not only the standard radwaste containers but also your cardboard boxes and temporary bench-top bags or other collection devices.

5.      Accountability. When you do your regular inventory to satisfy security requirements, make sure you have an inventory form for each stock vial. If you cannot find it, call ORS and we will provide a replacement.

 

 

The Obligation to Post Documents and the Right to See Them

 

"Post" means "to fasten up in a place of public view." Radiation survey reports must be posted, and ORS is responsible under the license for posting them. For various reasons they may disappear. ORS generally mails a copy of the report to the authorized investigator within 2 working days of the survey. Check to see if the most current report is posted. If it is not, post the report that was mailed to the PI or contact ORS for a replacement. File old reports in the binder with your inventory, calibration, and training records.

 

Radiation workers have a right to see certain documents such as their dosimetry reports. The law says that the employer must advise radiation workers of their occupational radiation dose each year. Every two months we mail the dosimetry reports to PIs or coordinators. For privacy reasons we recommend that PIs maintain the reports in a secure location.

 

State regulations, licenses, registration certificates, and operating procedures that apply to your work as a radiation worker, as well as explanations of them, are available by contacting ORS at the addresses below.