PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE SAFE USE OF

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Indiana University - Bloomington

INITIAL AUTHORIZATION

TO USE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Attend a Radiation Safety Orientation

Complete online procedures training

Complete and submit a radiation safety exam and application (Form RS-1 or RS-2)

Pass “in-lab” safety procedure review

ORDERING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Indicate user name and PI name on

departmental requisition

Ensure that shipment address is:

Radiation Safety Office - Jordan Hall 071

Plan on being in the lab for notification of the

shipment’s arrival (late morning 1-2 days after

ordering)

RECEIVING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Pick up shipment at

Jordan Hall 071

Return package to lab

and open immediately

Follow check-in procedure

and complete top portion

of Form RS-4

Place source container in

secure storage

LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

Designate and label

radioactive material use

areas

Cover work surfaces

with absorbent paper

and change frequently

Label contaminated

equipment and surfaces

LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

Do not eat, drink,

smoke, or apply

cosmetics in radioactive

material use areas

Confine any food and

beverages within the

lab to designated areas

Do not store food or

beverages with

radioactive materials

LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

Wear protective apparel

including lab coat,

safety glasses/goggles,

and disposable gloves

Do not wear sandals

when working with

radioactive materials or

other chemicals

Wear dosimeter

properly if assigned

CONTAMINATION MONITORING

FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Turn survey meter on, check it’s function, and place it near work area

Monitor hands, clothing, and work surfaces throughout procedure

Move probe slowly and within a few centimeters of monitored surfaces

Decontaminate surface if greater than 3 x BKG

CONTAMINATION MONITORING

FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

For detection of H-3 (and for monthly surveys for C-14, P- 33, and S-35), wipe surfaces with filter paper (approximately 100 cm2 per wipe)

Analyze wipes in liquid scintillation counter

Decontaminate if results are greater than 200 dpm per 100 cm2

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Dispose of contaminated

items in receptacles

specifically designated for

radioactive waste.

Segregate waste by

nuclide, physical form,

and chemical content .

RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

Seal bags and containers; attach completed waste tag to each.

Store P-32 waste within the lab (behind shielding) for at least 30 days prior to disposal.

Contact RSO to schedule a waste appointment .

RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

Secure waste on cart (using shielding and secondary containment as needed) .

Transport waste by cart to waste room. Use freight elevator (not passenger elevator) and tunnels (not outside sidewalks) .

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL SPILL

RESPONSE

Notify persons in the area of

the spill

Confine the spill with

absorbent material

Monitor hands, shoes, and

clothing for contamination

Report spill to RSO

Clean-up spill and

decontaminate

IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE

RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER OF

A major spill (involving

the release of > 1 mCi)

Any skin contamination

or probable uptakes

Extensive laboratory

contamination (high

levels or numerous

locations)

Any loss of radioactive

material

SECURITY AND CONTROL OF

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Lock doors when

laboratory is unattended

Secure source vials in

lockable freezer or

refrigerator when not in

use

Confront strangers in the

laboratory

REQUIRED RECORDS

Keep track of the amount and use of radioactive material through the timely completion of Form RS-4

Return Form RS-4 to JH 071 when material is used (source vial is empty)