Sealed Source Radiation Safety Training

Module 4: Government Regulations and
The Radiation Safety Program

Regulations
University Licenses
Inspections and Audits
Princeton University Radiation Safety Program
Radiation Safety Committee
Environmental Health & Safety Office
Authorized Users
Radiation Workers
Acquiring Radioactive Materials

Regulations (top)

Princeton University is licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to possess and use many different radioisotopes. The use of most radioisotopes at the University is regulated by the NRC, while the NJDEP regulates the more limited use of accelerator-produced and naturally-occurring radioactive materials.

The NRC Regulations are contained in Title 10 of the Federal Code of Regulations. NJDEP regulations are contained in Chapter 28 of the New Jersey Administrative Code. Copies of the relevant regulations are available from EHS, from the NRC Web site at www.nrc.gov/docs/cfr, and from the NJDEP site at www.state.nj.us/dep/rpp/njrules.htm

A "Notice to Employees" is posted in common places where employees frequently pass. The Notice provides information about how to contact the NRC or NJDEP and describes workers' rights and responsibilities.

Click on the image above for a detailed view of the form.

University Licenses (top)

The University currently holds the following licenses to possess and use radioactive materials:

• NRC Broad License covering the use of most radioisotopes on campus
  
• N. J. State License for the use of naturally-occurring and accelerator-produced radioisotopes

These licenses are issued by the NRC and/or NJDEP and specify the quantities, locations, and conditions under which radioisotopes may be used at Princeton University. They require the University to establish policies and procedures to ensure the accountability and safe use of radioactive materials.
Copies of these licenses are available from EHS.

Inspections and Audits (top)

Regulatory Agency Inspections

The NRC and NJDEP each conduct periodic unannounced inspections of the use of radioactive materials at the University. If violations of the regulations or radiation safety program deficiencies are discovered, Notices of Violations may be issued against the University, and fines and other sanctions can be imposed.

Internal Audits

The Princeton University Radiation Safety Committee conducts an annual audit of the radiation safety program.

Princeton University's Radiation Safety Program (top)

To meet the requirements of the NRC and NJDEP and to provide a safe working environment, Princeton University has established a radiation safety program with four key components:

• The Radiation Safety Committee
• The Environmental Health and Safety Office
• The Authorized User
• The Radiation Worker

The roles and responsibilities of each are described in the following sections.

The Radiation Safety Committee (top)

The Radiation Safety Committee, which consists of faculty members, EHS radiation safety staff, and management representatives, meets several times a year. The Committee:

• Oversees the radiation safety program
  
• Authorizes the use of radioactive materials
  
• Reviews incidents involving radioactive materials
  
• Sets policies for the use of sources of radiation
  
• Gives general supervision to the implementation of those policies.

The Environmental Health and Safety Office (top)

The day-to-day operation of the radiation safety program is managed within the Environmental Health & Safety Office (EHS) by the University’s Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). Sue Dupre is the Radiation Safety Officer, and she can be reached at 8-6252. The RSO and the Radiation Safety staff advise Authorized Users and radiation workers on radiation safety and regulatory compliance issues and provide the following services:

• Radiation safety training
  
• Personal monitoring and dosimetry services
  
• Bioassay
  
• Radiation safety assessment for pregnant radiation workers
  
• Laboratory radiation and contamination surveys
  
• Incident, spill and contamination management
  
• Radioactive waste disposal management
  

The Authorized User (top)

Authorized Users are faculty or senior staff members who have been approved by the Radiation Safety Committee to use radioactive materials under specific conditions. An Authorized User is granted approval to possess and use specific isotopes only for the uses described in the authorization application and is issued a possession limit for each of those isotopes.

Any person using radioactive materials at Princeton University is either an Authorized User or is a radiation worker using radioactive materials under an Authorized User’s supervision.

Each Authorized User is responsible for:

• The health and safety of anyone using or affected by the use of radioactive materials under his or her direction or supervision
  
• Personally attending initial and annual refresher training and ensuring that his/her employees, staff and visitors receive appropriate training
  
• Ensuring that his/her employees, staff and visitors comply with relevant regulations, policies and procedures.

The Radiation Worker (top)

A radiation worker is anyone who uses radioactive materials or radiation-producing machines. The radiation worker’s thorough training, compliance with regulations and procedures, careful work habits and respect for the health and safety of fellow workers are an integral part of the radiation safety program.

A radiation worker who uses sealed sources has the following responsibilities:

• Complete initial radiation safety training provided by EHS.
  
• Be familiar with the isotopes in use; know their radiological properties, methods of detection, the types of hazards presented by each one, and the specific precautions and handling requirements for each isotope and sealed source.
  
• Be familiar with all the relevant procedures of the radiation safety program, including isotope purchasing and waste disposal procedures.
  
• Know how to properly use the appropriate radiation survey meter.
  
• Know how to use radiation monitoring badges and exchange them promptly at the end of the monthly or quarterly wear period.
  
• Maintain appropriate inventory, disposal and survey records.
  
• Secure sealed sources by making sure that the sources are locked away or are under immediate supervision within the laboratory.
  
• Inform coworkers and visitors to the work area about the presence of radioactive materials and of any precautions they should take.
  
• Know who to call in any incident involving sources of radiation and how to handle spills and personal contamination.

Acquiring Radioactive Materials (top)

The University's NRC and NJDEP licenses require that the University maintain very tight control over the acquisition of radioactive materials, whether sources are purchased from a vendor or obtained as a transfer or loan from another institution. Requisitions for radioactive materials are specially coded in PeopleSoft so that they electronically pass to EHS for approval, and EHS then forwards the requisition to the Purchasing Office. All orders for radioactive materials must be placed through the University's Purchasing Office. Researchers are not permitted to contact a vendor directly to place an order for radioisotopes.

Loans or transfers of radioactive materials from other institutions must be approved by EHS before arrangements are made to ship the materials. By regulation, EHS must provide the other institution with a copy of the University's NRC or NJDEP license before the material can be shipped.

Go to Module 5 (Dose Limits)