All radiation workers should periodically review the items listed in this guide to gauge th their knowledge and understanding of our radiation safety program.
- Am I familiar with my annual radiation exposure limits (dose limits) as dictated in federal regulation 10CFR20 and state regulation 105CMR120?
- Whole Body: 5 rem/year
- Organ/skin: 50 rem/year
- Eye: 15 rem/year
- Have I undergone proper training for working in a radiation lab?
- Have I undergone through the mandatory initial basic radiation safety training session offered by the Radiation Safety Office?
- Have I been given an introductory safety tour by the authorized user or his/her designee to help me become familiar with specific laboratory safety and safety related procedures?
- Have I been trained in the procedures for which I am expected to perform?
- Do I need retraining in any of the above topics?
- Am I familiar with the radioactive sources located within the laboratory?
- What isotopes are used in the laboratory?
- Are there any special safety concerns for any of these isotopes? (Example, tritiated water (3H2O) absorption through skin)
- Am I familiar with the experimental protocols for these isotopes?
- Have I been trained in the use of these isotopes?
- Do I understand the requirements for using radioactive materials?
- Do I record the use or removal of radioactive material from a stock solution (Rad Use and Disposal Form, or equivalent)?
- Do I use or have available portable survey meters during an experiment* ?
- Do I wear proper dosimetry when applicable (film badge, ring badge)?
- Do I survey my work area at the end of each experimental work day?
- Do I document my survey and place the results on file?
- Do I properly handle any radioactive waste generated during the course of the experiment (as per HPP-5)?
- Do I document radioactive waste production as per HPP-5?
- Am I familiar with the radioactive devices located within the laboratory?
- Where are the devices located
- What are the safety protocols observed when the device is operational?
- If I am an operator of the device, have I been trained in its operation? Is the training documented (memo, etc…)?
- Where are all radiation related records/documents kept?
- Area/contamination surveys
- Radioactive material inventory (e.g. Rad Use and Disposal Form or eqv’t)
- Waste inventory
- Radiation related memos
- Do I understand radioactive waste handling and storage procedures?
- Waste handling procedures specific to my laboratory
- Procedures required by HPP-5?
- Am I comfortable in using a portable survey instrument? Do I:
- Check battery signal before use
- Check instrument response before
- i. Check background response or rad. source response for GM
- ii. Check response to radioactive check source if ion chamber.
- Check to make sure that the instrument is calibrated and within its calibration period?
- Set the instrument to the proper meter scale (x1, x10, etc) and understand how to interpret the instrument response reading?
- Am I familiar with the general laboratory emergency response procedures such as radioactive material spill handling, area decontamination, etc…?
- Am I familiar with university controls for contaminated areas?
- Beta radiation – maximum 500 dpm per 100 cm2 area.
- Alpha radiation – maximum 50 dpm per 100 cm2 area.
- Tritium (special beta case) – maximum 1,000 dpm per 100 cm2 area.
- Have I been instructed what to do if any of the above levels of contamination are exceeded?
- Alert the Authorized User and/or Radiation Safety Office
- If not cleaned up, have the Radiation Safety Office post the area as a Contamination Area
- If I am working with radioactive material and I accidentally spill a small quantity of radioactive material onto my workplace, do I know how to properly clean /decontaminate the area?
- Do I understand posting requirements for radiation fields?
- Radiation Area – 5 mrem/hr 30 cm or greater from a source
- High Radiation Area – 100 mrem/hr 30 cm or greater
- Do I understand that I am responsible for the security of the laboratory and of the radioactive material used within?
*Not applicable for tritium (3H) use and not required for 14C use.