2011 Radiation User Refresher
Radioisotope Laboratory SafetyRefresher Class 2011 UCSC
Conrad Sherman x9-3911RSO/Health Physicist
Marcus Balanky x9-5167ARSO/ Health Physicist
Vern Ares x9-5167Assistant Health Physicist
Environmental Health & SafetyRadiation Safety
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Annual Refresher Training is Required• Option 1 –Challenge the test• Option 2 – review this presentation, radiation safety manual,
fundamentals workbook (ucsc radiation)• Option 3 –request a class
then
• Pass the Test • Test is on e-commons• Please complete within 30 days of your last test date (if you don’t know it,
then look on e-commons, in your PI’s radiation safety folder/training is a report showing training for all users within your lab group.
Location of EHS/Radiation published materials http://ehs.ucsc.edu/lab_research_safety/radiation_safety.php
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Radiation Safety Functions
2011 Radiation User Refresher
You Have the Right to Report Radiation Safety Concerns and Violations
• Report concerns or suspected radiation safety violations to your supervisor. If it is not adequately corrected, notify the RSO
• RSO Conrad Sherman, [email protected] or 9-3911• EH&S Director Brent Cooley [email protected] or 9-2553• Chair, Radiation Safety Committee George Brown,
[email protected] or 9-2327• EH&S e-mail [email protected]• Web Form http://ehs.ucsc.edu/I2P2/pubs/hazalert.html
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Survey Meter Use
• You should know how to use the survey meter. • Remember that you must perform a preoperational check
each time you use the meter.• Battery• Background• Calibration• Check source
• If you’re uncertain about how to perform the preoperational check or to do a survey, review the process with your lab manager or ask EHS.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Dosimeters are required
• Are likely to receive >10% of an occupational dose limit.
• Enter a high radiation area. • Routinely work with >5 mCi quantities of I-125. • Routinely work with >1 mCi quantities of P-32. • As per your RUA
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Dosimeters
• Dosimeters cannot detect low-energy beta radiation from radionuclides such as C-14, H-3, P-33 and S-35.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Dosimeters
• A whole body dosimeter is worn on the to torso in a location where it is likely to receive the highest exposure.
• Ring dosimeters are worn underneath disposable gloves.
• Wear ring so chip faces source.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Internal Exposure• Occurs when a radioisotope enters the body by inhalation,
ingestion, absorption through skin, or through an open wound. If this happens, any kind of radiation can directly harm living cells. Radiation produces damage depending on the following factors:
• The amount of radioactive material deposited into the body• The type of radiation emitted• The physical characteristics of the element;• The half-life of the radioisotope (how fast it decays away)• The length of time in the body.
Radioactive material inside human body will cause an internal dose.
You can NEVER eat or drink in a posted radioactive material lab!
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Examples of Compliance Issues
• Eating/drinking/smoking/storing food in RAM areas.
• Inventory and survey records that do not reflect actual radioactive materials on hand and/or in use.
• Failure to secure RAM and/or rad waste from unauthorized use or removal.
• Improper radioactive waste storage.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Required Actions on Identification of Issue
• Document Issue - RS or Lab
• Take Corrective action - lab
• Evaluation of cause - RH (PI)
• Sanctions for serious, willful violations - RSC
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Consistently fill out records
• Survey Logs, Sink Disposal Logs, etc. • Are your records easy to find?• Be sure radioisotope areas and contaminated items are
appropriately labeled. Remove unnecessary labeling. • Clean out your rad inventory and remove build-ups of
radioactive waste.• Is training for all lab personnel up-to-date?• Pay attention to security matters. Is your lab locked
when no one is there?
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Documenting Surveys
• Contamination surveys must be documented• Record the following:
– date performed– area(s) surveyed (a map helps!)– results– identity of surveyor– instrument used– action taken if contamination is found
2011 Radiation User Refresher
RAM shipment
• Verify you received the correct RAM, chemical form, and activity.
• Wear PPE to open RAM shipment. • Immediately include received material into your lab’s
RAM inventory and record activity in units of millicuries. • Assume that the inner surfaces of the package (source
vial and packaging material) may be contaminated and handle accordingly until proven otherwise by survey.
• Before discarding the packing material from the shipment. Obliterate all radiation warning labels before discarding as normal trash.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Radioactive waste
• Store all liquid waste containers within a secondary container – this is mandatory.
• Use labels provided to indicate what is placed in waste containers as soon as you add waste. This prevents unlabeled and unknown waste from accumulating in your lab.
• Avoid overfilling solid or liquid waste containers. • Never mix organic solvent wastes with water or other aqueous
wastes. • Special provisions for labs with mixed waste.• Radioactive waste containing biological, pathogenic, or infectious
material must be disinfected with biocide prior to depositing into radioactive waste containers.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Practice ALARA
• The less TIME spent near RAM, the less dose received. • The more DISTANCE between you and RAM, the less
exposure received. Doubling the distance from RAM reduces exposure by ~1/4. Use tongs or other remote-handling tools to reduce exposure to fingers and hands.
• For SHIELDING BETA emitters use Plexiglass.• For SHIELDING X- or gamma ray use Lead
– one size doesn’t shield all. – Contact the Radiation Safety Office to determine the proper
thickness and types of shielding material to use.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
(s)WIPES and Smears
• They are used to determine if removable contamination is present from any type of radioactive material when counted in a liquid scintillation counter.
• They are the best method for detecting contamination from low-energy beta emitters (C-14, S-35, and P-33)
and the only way to detect H-3 contamination. • Use disc for LSC counting• Use disc or paper towel for large area if a GM is used to
check survey media
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Remember to Document Your Surveys!
• Surveys must be done at a frequency to ensure that exposure to RAM is kept ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable).
• Keep your survey records in a form that the RSO can audit.
• Keep blank survey record forms.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
User Responsibilities
• Keep RAM use authorization current. • Complete radiation safety training. • Maintain up-to-date inventory records. • Perform and document RAM surveys
frequently to control contamination and keep exposure ALARA.
• Follow required radiation safety and radioactive waste handling and disposal policies.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Contamination Control and Security
• Wear PPE when working with RAM. • Monitor hands, shoes, and PPE frequently. • Use bench paper and spill trays. • Use warning labels on RAM items and areas. • Use a fume hood when working with volatile
materials or materials that produce aerosols. • Secure RAM from unauthorized removal. • Immediately report missing RAM
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Wear your Lab Coat
This is from a historical poster
^ and woman
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Regulations
• Comply with all pertinent regulations of the Campus Radiation Safety Manual.– A copy of the RSM is to be maintained by the
RH (electronic or hardcopy).– All personnel listed in the permit are required
to read and be knowledgeable regarding provisions of the RSM.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Required Postings
• Sign on Door
• Notice to Employee
• Emergency Numbers
• Work Area Marked
• Frig/Freezer Sign
• Sink Marked ‘ no drain disposal ‘
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Lab Conditions Frequently Identified by Inspector
• Work Area Covered and marked• Evidence Food/Drink• Solid/Vial Waste • Liquid in Secured Container• Gloves/Coat Worn• Dosimeter(s) Worn• Meter Available• Meter Check-Okay• Evident RAM Security
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Surveys and Waste Disposal
• A suitable survey instrument must be maintained in the lab.
• Periodic wipe tests are to be made on all working surfaces and equipment.
• Known radioactive waste shall be collected and packaged for waste disposal.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Radioactive Material Transfers
• Radioactive materials may not be acquired for trans-shipment.
• No radioactive materials are to be transferred between authorized users without the prior approval of the Radiation Safety Office.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Receipt and Use Log•Record
–Use (%, volume, or activity)
–Name–Date–Purpose
•Use blank column for other units
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Laboratory and Material Security
Avoids deliberate misconduct 1. Lock and key storage
2. Lock lab
3. Challenge response to unknown intruders
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Avoid Ingesting Radioactive Material
NO–Eating
–Drinking
–Smoking
–Applying Cosmetics
–Mouth Pipetting
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Protective Clothing
• Gloves
• Lab coat
• Eyewear
• Pants
• Closed toe footwear
2011 Radiation User Refresher
General Tips LSC Wipe Survey
• Survey discrete areas so that if contamination is found the spot will be easy to identify
• Avoid cross contamination of samples
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Removing Your Gloves
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Decontamination Procedures
• Area and Material Decontamination– Wear protective clothing– Clean in an inward direction
• Personnel Decontamination– Flush with water first– Soap and water only!!!– Report to RSO before attempting any more
stringent measures
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures
• Guidelines at UCSC
• Minimizing waste production
• Reducing mixed waste
• Decontamination
• “Getting the lead out”
• Special rules if hazardous and radioactive are mixed
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Radioactive Waste
• Research involving radioactive material generates contaminated waste. EHS Radiation Safety supplies containers and removes radioactive waste from campus labs.
• The laboratory staff is responsible for monitoring, labeling, maintaining and preparing their waste for disposal.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Dry Solid Radioactive Waste
• No sharps
• No Liquids
• No lead or metals
• No high activity (stock vials)
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Liquid Radioactive Waste
• Store in 2.5 gal plastic carboys with secondary-containment.
• pH must be adjusted to between 6 and 9.
• Identify chemical contents including non-hazardous and hazardous components.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Radioactive “Sharps”
• Radioactive sharps are items such as razor blades, scalpels, syringes and hypodermic needles.
• Plastic and glass pipette tips, broken glassware, etc. should not be disposed of as radioactive sharps.
• Contact the Natural Science Stockroom for radioactive sharps containers.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Emergency Procedures
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Small (Minor) Spill
• Most spills that occur in the lab are minor, and should be cleaned up by lab personnel ASAP.
• You do not need to inform EH&S Radiation Safety in the event of a minor spill.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Small Spill Procedures
• Confine the spill
• Decontaminate the area
• Notify your supervisor
• Make a record.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Large Spills - What to Do
• Confine contamination do NOT track contamination outside the area.– Restrict access to the spill area
• Notify EH&S Radiation Safety (9-2553), then your supervisor.
You will not be penalized for reporting a spill, but on the other hand...
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Personal Contamination
• Notify the RSO immediately of any case of personal contamination.
• Uninjured persons should remove contaminated clothing and wash or use emergency shower or eyewash as needed. Do not delay.
• If an injured person is contaminated, do not delay medical attention.
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Test• To receive credit for this online training course,
you must complete the exam and receive a score of 80% or greater.
• You may take test up to 3 times• Some questions have multiple correct answers• You can review answers at end of each test• Each test is a new set of questions randomized
from test bank• If you do not pass, we will go over failed
questions with you
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Test Completion
• Online e-commons RADSAFE EXAMS
• PAPER PRINT A COPY OF TEST,
• Send to ehs trailer
2011 Radiation User Refresher
Verify you have viewed this powerpoint
• Logon to ecommons RAD SAF Exams and take 2011 isotope user Refresher quiz
e-commons portal (https://ecommons.ucsc.edu/xsl-portal)
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