Radiation Safety

Table of Contents

Guide to the Safe use of Radionuclides at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
(.pdf format for printing)

1. UWM Radiation Safety Program

   • Chancellor
   • Vice Chancellor - Finance Administrative Affairs
   • Director, University Safety and Assurances
   • Radiation Safety Officer
   • Health Physicist
   • Authorized Users
   • Radiation Workers
   • Laboratory Workers

2. Obtaining Radionuclide Authorizations

   • New Authorizations
   • Training and Experience
   • Renewal Authorizations
   • Amendments to Authorization
   • Authorization Exceptions
   • Authorized User Absences
   • Termination of Authorization

3. Receiving Sources and Transferring Radionuclides

   • Ordering Radionuclides From Commercial Vendors
   • Transfer of Radioactive Material

4. Facilities for the Use and Storage of Radionuclides

   • Radioactive Materials Facilities
   • The Radionuclide Laboratory
   • Shielding
   • Fume Hoods
   • Security

5. Radionuclide Laboratory Classification

   • Laboratory Type 1 - General Purpose Laboratory
   • Laboratory Type 2 - Basic Chemical Laboratory
   • Laboratory Type 3 - Dedicated Chemical Laboratory
   • Laboratory Type 4 - Specialized Laboratory

6. Personnel Training

   • Radiation Workers
   • Laboratory Workers
   • Continuing Education
   • Students/Classroom Use

7. Personnel Monitoring

   • External Exposure Monitoring
   • Obtaining Dosimeters
   • Lost Dosimeters
   • Dosimetry Records and Overexposures
   • Additional Dosimeter Information
   • Internal Exposure Monitoring

8. Contamination Surveys and Laboratory Monitoring

   • User Conducted Monitoring
   • Survey Posting and Recordkeeping Requirements
   • Monitoring Conducted by Radiation Safety
   • Final Surveys

9. Security of Radioactive Materials

   • Restricted Area
   • Unrestricted Area
   • Controlled Area
   • Security

10. Food, Beverages, Smoking, etc., in Radionuclide Labs

11. “ALARA” - As Low As Reasonably Achievable

    • Radiation Worker
    • Authorized User
    • Radiation Safety Program

12. Instrument Requirements for Area Monitoring Surveys

    • Portable Survey Meters
    • Liquid Scintillation Counters or Gas Flow Counters

13. Contamination and Radiation Levels

    • Removable Contamination
    • Radiation Levels
    • Survey Requirements Prior to Repair

14. Radionuclides Uses With Special Requirements

    • Radioiodine Use
    • Tritium Use
    • Airborne Radioactivity
    • Sealed Sources

15. Record Keeping - Inventory

16. Posting and Labeling Requirements

    • Signs and Notices
    • Container Labeling

17. Laboratory Animal Use

    • Responsibilities
    • Preliminary Evaluation
    • Animal Care Requirements
    • Waste Disposal

18. 18. Use of Radionuclides in Student Labs

    • Student Training
    • Lab Postings, Surveys, Wastes

19. Radioactive Materials Transportation

20. Radiation Safety Program for The Great Lakes WATER Institute

21. Radiation Safety Program for The UWM Field Station at Saukville

22. Use of Radioactive Materials Aboard UWM Research Vessels

    • Shipboard Use Approval
    • Security
    • Area Monitoring Surveys
    • Special Precautions for Shipboard Use of Radionuclides

23. General Safe Handling Considerations for Radioactive Materials

    • Precautions When Working with Unsealed Sources
    • Some Important Cautions

24. Prenatal Radiation Exposure

    • Fetal Protection Policy
    • Pregnancy Declaration
    • Exposure Limits for the Embryo or Fetus
    • Monitoring

25. Emergency Procedures

    • General
    • Phone Numbers
    • Minor Spills and Emergencies
    • Major Spills and Emergencies
    • Written Histories and Reports

26. Disposal of Radioactive Materials

    • General
    • Transfer of Radioactive Wastes of the Radiation Safety Program
    • Disposal of Animal Wastes
    • Labeling
    • Radioactive Decay
    • Disposal of Radioactive Materials to the Sewerage System
    • Release of Radioactivity to the Atmosphere

27. Laboratory Audits and Enforcement

    • Laboratory Audits
    • Enforcement
28. Glossary

Appendices

• Appendix A -- Application for Possession and Use of Radionuclides
• Appendix B -- Training and Experience Form
• Appendix C -- Animal Use of Radionuclides
• Appendix D -- Proposed Radionuclide Use Form
• Appendix E -- Amendment to Radionuclide Authorization
• Appendix F -- Renewal of Radionuclide Use Authorization
• Appendix G -- Radioactive Material Control Form
• Appendix H -- Radionuclide Inventory Form
• Appendix I -- Radioactive Waste Disposal Form
• Appendix J -- Radioactive Safety Exam
• Appendix K -- Training and Instruction Checklist
• Appendix L -- Personal Dosimeter Application
• Appendix M -- Lost Dosimeter Estimate
• Appendix N -- Monthly Radiation Survey
• Appendix O -- Authorization to Use Radioactive Materials Aboard UWM Research Vessels
• Appendix P -- Radionuclide Laboratory Audit Form
• Appendix Q -- Notice of Violation
• Appendix R -- Telephone Numbers for Radiation Incidents or Emergency Information
• Appendix S -- Laboratory Animal Use Training Requirements and Safety Guidelines
• Appendix T

Updated March 4, 2008 by SAK