|
SECTION 6: The "Authorized
User's Responsibilities"
Acquisition of Authorization (top)
Before any person can begin work with "Sources
of Radiation," he or she must satisfy the Radiation Safety
Committee and/or the "Health
Physicist" through the authorization process that he or she
is qualified by training and experience and that the laboratory is properly
equipped to handle them safely. Persons not meeting the requirements
for authorization must work with "Sources of Radiation" only
under the supervision of an "Authorized
User."
Supervisory Responsibility (top)
The "Authorized User" assumes responsibility for the actions
of those persons using "Sources of Radiation" under his or
her supervision.
Familiarity with Radiation Safety Guide (top)
The "Authorized User" shall become acquainted and comply
with the Radiation Safety Guide and shall ensure that other persons
under his or her supervision also are acquainted and comply with this
Guide. The Radiation Safety Guide must, at all times, be available to
these persons.
Compliance with Government Regulations (top)
The "Authorized User" shall become acquainted and comply
with all applicable government regulations and shall ensure that all
persons under his or her supervision also are acquainted and comply
with them.
Radiation Safety (top)
The acceptance of an authorization obligates the "Authorized
User"
to ensure radiation safety to him or herself, to all others who can
be affected by the presence or use of his or her "Sources of Radiation,"
and to University property. Prior to short absences the "Authorized
User" shall appoint a specific individual to be responsible for
radiation safety in his or her absence. An extended absence of the "Authorized
User" necessitates a change in responsibility which, in general,
means that another individual must obtain the necessary authorization.
Records (top)
"Authorized Users" are obligated to maintain certain records.
These include those items needed for orderly management of the laboratory
such as receipt, use, transfer and disposal records. The "Authorized
User" must also keep those records needed to demonstrate an adequate
level of radiation safety, such as survey records.
Survey Instruments (top)
The "Authorized User" shall acquire or have available and
shall maintain survey instruments appropriate for the radiation in use.
Reporting of Incidents (top)
The "Authorized User" shall report to the Office of Environmental
Health and Safety any loss or theft, incident, accident, major spill,
etc., involving "Sources
of Radiation." Such incidents are
normally discussed with the Radiation Safety Committee by the "Health
Physicist."
Training and Orientation of Personnel (top)
Radiation Workers
The Health Physics Section provides radiation safety training which
meets the requirements of 10 CFR Part 19.12
and other Nuclear Regulatory Commission
regulatory guidance in the training area. It is the responsibility
of the "Authorized User" to ensure that all persons using
radioisotopes under the provisions of his or her authorization attend
the mandatory training sessions offered by the Health Physics staff.
The Health Physics staff training sessions are offered to all new radiation
workers on a monthly basis. Additionally, all radiation workers are
required to attend a refresher training session once a year.
Several of the user departments provide excellent supplemental training
in addition to the mandatory training described above. All radiation
workers must satisfy the requirements established by their department
with respect to training.
Ancillary Personnel
The Health Physics staff works with the Public Safety and Building
Services departments to establish and implement radiation safety training
programs appropriate to the needs of the department and which meet the
requirements of 10 CFR Part 19.12 and other Nuclear Regulatory Commission
regulatory guidance in the training area. All new employees in these
departments who frequent areas where radioactive materials are used
must attend initial radiation safety training sessions offered as part
of new employee orientation. Additionally, these personnel must attend
refresher training on an annual basis.
"Radiation
Worker List" (top)
The "Authorized User" is responsible for reporting the names
of all radiation workers under his or her supervision to the Office
of Environmental Health and Safety so that essential radiation safety
services, such as personnel monitoring, bioassay services, radiation
safety training, prenatal exposure information for women, and special
services, are provided for these workers.
To this end the Office of Environmental Health and Safety sends to
each "Authorized User," three times a year, a "Radiation
Worker List" update to which names can be added or deleted.
However, an "Authorized User" should report changes in
laboratory personnel immediately, without waiting for the arrival
of the "Radiation
Worker List" update, so that the essential services can be provided
most efficiently.
Exposure Control (top)
The "Authorized User" has the responsibility to control work
assignments and to ensure that work is carried out in such a manner
that the radiation dose to any person from external "Sources of
Radiation" and internally deposited radionuclides under his or
her control does not exceed the dose limits listed in Appendix D.
Emergency Response (top)
The "Authorized User" is responsible for establishing radiation
emergency procedures appropriate to the activities in his or her laboratory,
and is responsible to ensure that all individuals under his or her supervision
are familiar with these procedures and those described in the Radiation
Emergency Procedures poster (EHS-HP Form #400) and in Section
17 of
this Guide. Section 17 provides guidelines
which may be useful in formulating emergency procedures for some of
the common types of radiation emergencies.
Terminations (top)
In the event that an "Authorized User" severs his or her
association with the University or discontinues work with "Sources
of Radiation," he or she shall inform the Office of Environmental
Health and Safety, shall ensure that proper and safe disposal and/or
transfer of "Sources of Radiation" is affected, and shall
ensure that his or her facility is left in a radiologically safe condition.
|
