All researchers working in a laboratory in which open sources of radioactive materials (i.e., any form that does not meet the definition of sealed sources or plated sources) are used must complete initial radiation safety training. The requirement applies to all researchers in an Authorized User's lab, even those who do not use radioactive materials and are not likely to enter the radioisotope area. It does not apply to laboratories in which only sealed or plated sources are used.

Initial radiation safety training for open-source users at Princeton University has the following components: 

• A set of web-based Radiation Basics modules with an accompanying test. Participants must successfully pass the Radiations Basics Test before attending the Radioactive Materials Safety Class. The Radiation Basics modules and test can be viewed any time at the Modules web page.
• A Radioactive Materials Safety Class: The two-hour Radioactive Materials Safety Class is offered once a month (see the Training Calendar for specific dates and times)

All researchers who work in a laboratory in which radioactive materials in open-source form are used must take the test and attend the class.

Radiation Basics Modules

There are six computer-based training modules:

• Radiation Properties
• Background Radiation & Other Sources of Exposure
• Biological Effects
• Government Regulations and the Radiation Safety Program
• External and Internal Dose Limits
• Radiation Monitoring

• the basic characteristics of  radiation, including the properties of various radioactive emissions
• half-life
• radiation units
• natural background and other sources of radiation exposure
• the biological effects of radiation exposure
• the risks of radiation exposure
• rules and regulations
• the administration of the radiation safety program at Princeton University
• annual radiation dose limits
• the ALARA Philosophy
• when radiation dosimetry is required and when it is not
• the Declared Pregnant Worker Program

If you have never attended radiation safety training at any institution or would like to review all of the training modules:

• Go to the beginning of the Radiation Basics Modules

If you have taken radiation safety training at another institution but need to read about the rules, regulations and the administration of Princeton University's radiation safety program and the dosimetry program at Princeton:

• Go to the Regulations portion of the Modules

If you would like to go to a specific module:

Radiation Properties

Background Radiation

Biological Effects

Regulations

External & Internal Dose Limits

Radiation Monitoring

Radiation Basics Test

You may take this test if you have completed review of the Radiation Basics Training Modules.  If you have attended radiation safety training at any other institution, you must read through the Regulations Module, the Dose Limits Module and the Radiation Monitoring Module before you take the test.

Completion of this test does not certify you to use radioactive materials.  In addition to successfully completing the test, you must also attend the Radioactive Materials Safety Class, which is the classroom portion of the Initial Radiation Safety Training.

In order to be admitted to the class, you must have completed the test no later than 10 a.m. of the day of the class (test results are submitted to EHS via e-mail, using a form at the end of the test).

• Go to the Radiation Basics Test

Radioactive Materials Safety Class

This class does not include the topics covered in the Radiation Basics modules.  Completion of the web-based training and successful completion of the Radiation Basics test is a prerequisite for attendance at the class and will not be waived.

Scheduling

The class is a two hour class offered once a month. 

• Go to the Training Calendar

In order to be admitted to the class, you must have completed the test no later than 10 a.m. of the day of the class (test results are submitted to EHS via e-mail, using a form at the end of the test).

• Go to Module 1 (Radiation Properties)

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