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RADIATION SAFETY
REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES
Part I: Ionizing Radiation
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY 12180-3590
______________________________________
Curtis Powell, Vice President, Human Resources
September 2003
Revision 8.1
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This document was prepared for users of laboratories and facilities utilizing radioactive materials and/or
equipment which produces ionizing radiations at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The document is revised
periodically and can be reviewed and down-loaded from the University’s web site:
www.rpi.edu/dept/neep/public_html/radsafety/.
Comments and suggestions for improving the document itself, as well as the procedures and regulations
contained within, are welcome and may be sent to [email protected].
The New York state Department of Health, State Sanitary Code, Chapter I, Part 16, Titled “Ionizing
Radiation” is accessible at www.health.state.ny.us. The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 20,
Titled “Radiation Protection” for the US Nuclear regulatory Commission is accessible at www.nrc.gov.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation web site is available at www.dec.state.ny.us.
Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee 2001
Dr. Robert Block, Chair of Committee, LINAC
Dr. Ron Bailey, Chemistry
Dr. Richard Bopp, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Mr. Curtis Powell, Division of Human Resources
Dr. Mark Embrechts, Decision Science and Engineering
Dr. Tim Hayes, Physics
Mr. Oliver Holmes, Campus Planning and Facilities Design
Dr. Harry Roy, Biology
Dr. Minoru Tomozawa, Material Engineering
Mr. Peter F. Caracappa, Ex Officio, Radiation Safety Officer
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page Number
1. Introduction ..........................................................................................….….. 5
2. General Policy........................................................................................……… 6
2.1 Introduction
2.2 ALARA Program
3. Administrative Control………………………………………………………. .. 8
3.1 Organization Chart
3.2 Personnel Directory
4. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee..............................................…….. 10
4.1 Membership
4.2 Responsibilities
4.3 Meetings
4.4 Meeting Agenda
5. Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Radiation Safety Officer.……. 12
6. Radiation Installation................................................................................……. 14
6.1 Definition
6.2 Initial Establishment
6.3 Modification of Facilities
6.4 Specific Radiation Safety Procedures
6.5 Requirements
7. Supervisor of a Radiation Installation....................................................…….. 15
7.1 Definition
7.2 Responsibilities
8. Personnel Monitoring..............................................................................…….. 17
8.1 Personnel Monitoring Devices
8.2 Personnel Monitoring Wearing Criteria
8.3 Personnel Monitoring Devices - Maintenance
8.4 Personnel Monitoring - Visitors
Form 8.1 - Request for Personnel Radiation Monitoring Badge Service………. 19
Form 8.2 – Visitors Personnel Monitoring Record……………………………. 20
9. Licenses and Registrations.....................................................................…….. 21
Form 9.1 – Application For Use of a Source of Ionizing Radiation…………... 22
10. Radioactive Materials at Rensselaer.....................................................…….. 23
10.1 Procurement of Radionuclides
10.2 Procedure for Procurement by Rensselaer Purchase Order
10.3 Verbal Approval of Purchase Order
10.4 Transportation of Radioactive Material
10.5 Opening of Packages Containing Radioactive Material
Form 10.1-Request for Intracampus Transportation of Radioactive Material… 27
Form 10.2-Radioactive Material Receipt Form…………………………….…. 28
11. Special Nuclear Materials.......................................................................…….. 29
11.1 Definitions 11.2 Applicable Regulations
11.3 Procedures for Controlling Special Nuclear Material
11.4 Leak Tests
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11. Special Nuclear Materials (cont’d)………………………………………… 29
11.5 Licensing
11.6 Handling of Plutonium-Beryllium Neutron Sources
Form 11.1-Special Nuclear Material Control Records…………………….…. 33
Form 11.2- Inventory Verification and Contamination Check Record for
Plutonium Sources……………………………………………….. 34
12. Disposal of Radionuclides.......................................................................….… 35
13. General Procedure for Radiation Safety................................................…... 36
13.1 Radioactive Materials
13.2 Machines that Generate Ionizing Radiation
14. Emergency Procedures............................................................................…… 38
14.1 Spills of Radioactive Liquids
14.2 Radiological Emergencies
14.3 Objectives
14.4 Administrative Authority Under Accident Conditions
14.5 Guidelines Established for Use by the Laboratory Supervisor
14.6 Injured Personnel Involved in a Radiation Accident
15. Specific Procedures for Radiation Installations.....................................….. 42
16. Radiation Protection Training................................................................…… 43
Form 16.1-Record of Radiation Safety Training……………………………… 44
17. Posting and Labeling Requirements.......................................................…… 45
17.1 Notices to Workers
17.2 Radiation Warning Signs for Rooms and Area
17.3 Radiation Warning Labels for Containers
17.4 Removal of Radiation Warning Signs and Labels
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1. INTRODUCTION
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has had a formal radiation safety program since shortly after World War
II. The program was established in order that the Institute could qualify for a license to purchase and
process byproduct material (reactor-produced radioisotopes) under the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. The
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was authorized to issue licenses to qualified applicants.
Licensing requirements for byproduct material are contained in Title 10, Chapter 1, Part 30 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (10 CFR Part 30). Since then, the AEC has transformed itself into the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Department of Energy (DOE). Regulations set forth by the AEC
have been periodically revised and are now part of the rules and regulations of the NRC. The related rules
and regulations for protection against ionizing radiation are contained in 10 CFR Part 20.
In 1962, the State of New York became an "agreement state," i.e., by agreement with the NRC, the State
was given authority for licensing byproducts material, source material (uranium, thorium and ore
containing these two elements), and special nuclear material (plutonium, uranium-233, and uranium
enriched in uranium-233 or uranium-235). The licensing provisions and the standards for protection
against ionizing radiation were set forth in the New York State Sanitary Code, Chapter I, Part 16,
"Ionizing Radiation." Part 16 also contains regulations for non-byproduct material such as radium and
for registration and condition of operation of X-ray equipment. The latest revision of Part 16 is dated
January 8, 1997. Regulations on the disposal and discharge of licensed material to the environment are
specified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in the 6 NYCRR Part 380
(March 24, 1994).
Over the years, Rensselaer's radiation safety program has been modified several times to reflect changes
in (1) the number and types of Rensselaer's facilities involving ionizing radiation, (2) the State and
Federal regulations and (3) the administrative policy of Rensselaer. The modifications have been
accompanied by variation in the degree to which the administrative control of radiological safety has been
centralized. The current program is highly centralized, but strongly dependent on each individual user,
where the success of any radiation safety program resides.
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2. GENERAL POLICY
2.1 Introduction
The radiation dose received by any person from external or internal exposure to ionizing radiation in a
radiation installation (a controlled area in which radioactive material or machines generating ionizing
radiation or both are used) must be held to the lowest possible value consistent with effective use of the
installation. Exposure of personnel, and the general public, to ionizing radiation, must never exceed the
legal maximum permissible values .
Rensselaer's radiation protection guidance sets forth a dose limitation system which is based on three
principles. These principles are:
Justification - There should not be any occupational exposure of persons to ionizing radiation
without the expectation of an overall benefit from the activity causing the exposure;
Optimization - A sustained effort should be made to ensure that collective doses, as well as annual,
committed, and cumulative lifetime individual doses, are maintained as low as reasonably
achievable (ALARA), economic and social factors being taken into account; and
Limitation - Radiation doses received as a result of occupational exposure should not exceed the
specified limiting values contained in New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Sanitary
Code, Chapter 1, Part 16, "Ionizing Radiation."
Every effort should be made to avoid contamination of work areas and, in any case, release of airborne or
waterborne radioactivity should never exceed legal limits. Every effort should be made to avoid
accidental releases. Disposal of all radioactive waste must be in accordance with procedures contained in
Section 12.
The radiation dose received by any person from external and/or internal exposure to ionizing radiation in
a non-controlled area must be held as close to natural background levels as possible. Exposure to the
general public from any operation must never exceed the annual legal maximum permissible exposure
level of 100 mRem per year above the natural background level.
Legal maximum permissible dose levels are those specified in the current edition of the New York State
Department of Health Sanitary Code, Chapter I, Part 16, Ionizing Radiation: and in Title 10, Part 20, of
the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 20), Radiation Protection. These two reference materials
contain definitions of terms used in this document. Because of their size and frequency of change, the
Federal and State regulations are stand-alone documents. However, Federal and State regulations should
be considered as a part of the Rensselaer’s Radiation Safety Regulations and Procedures outlined within
this document. Copies of these and other pertinent documents are available from the Office of Radiation
and Nuclear Safety (ORNS)
2.2 ALARA Program
Control of ionizing radiation exposure is based on the assumption that any exposure involves some risk.
However, occupational exposure within accepted limits represents a very small risk compared to the other
risks voluntarily encountered in other work environments.
The policy of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is to maintain occupational exposures of individuals within
allowable Radiation Exposure Guides. The individual and collective dose to workers is maintained As
Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
ALARA is a part of the normal work process where people are working with ionizing radiation.
Management at all levels, and in all areas, as well as each individual worker, must take an active role in
minimizing this radiation exposure.
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ALARA Program Objectives
In accordance with Rensselaer's commitment to keep occupational exposure as low as is reasonably
achievable, an ALARA program will operate within the following objectives:
• The annual total effective dose equivalent to individual workers should be maintained ALARA
with maximum annual whole body radiation exposure to any individual not to exceed 0.5 rem.
• A radiation exposure in one quarter in excess of 0.125 rem should be brought to the attention of
the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The radiation safety officer should investigate the exposure,
determine why the exposure occurred, and take steps to prevent its re-occurrence. The incident
should be brought to the attention of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee (RNSC) and be
an agenda item at its next scheduled meeting.
To ensure the effectiveness of the ALARA program, it is administered through assignment of specific
responsibilities to individuals and committees at both management and user levels.
• The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee will provide an overview of the ALARA program
implementation at Rensselaer.
• This committee will also provides guidance to assure that Rensselaer’s ALARA program is
incorporated into work planning, design changes, and construction at Rensselaer
The Radiation Safety Officer has the authority and responsibility to coordinate the ALARA program
consistent with Rensselaer policies.
• This individual shall maintain the necessary records, procedures, and data bases for ALARA
implementation.
• This individual shall be provided with the staffing necessary for support of the program by
Rensselaer management.
• ALARA considerations shall be incorporated into the normal work process, new work procedures,
design modifications, training, and planning at Rensselaer.
• This Individual shall provide technical assistance to all faculty, staff, and students, and specifically
to Supervisors of Radiation Installations and Users of ionizing radiation when requested to do so
for implementation of ALARA concepts and ALARA reviews.
ALARA Practices
• Utilize permanent or temporary shields as necessary to minimize the strength of radiation field.
• Minimize time spent in a radiation area to only that necessary to complete a task.
• Place as much distance as practicable between the user and the radiation source.
• Decontaminate areas of radioactive contamination before proceeding to the next task.
• Use engineering concepts to maintain radiation exposures to low levels.
• Order and use only necessary amount of radioactive materials for an experiment.
• Assure all users have had proper training in the safe use of ionizing radiation.
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3. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
The Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety reports to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety,
which in turn reports to the Vice President of Human Resources.
The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee, which also reports to the Vice President of Human
Resources, is composed of both faculty and staff personnel.
3.1 Organization Chart
The following chart shows the current organization of Rensselaer's radiation safety program:
Vice President of Human Resources
Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee Director, Office of Environmental Health and Safety Radiation Safety Officer Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Installation Supervisors, Department Radiation Safety Officers, Users
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3.2 Personnel Directory
Name Phone (E-mail) Office Location
1. Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)
Director: Ms. Cecile Mars X 6117 ([email protected]) BK II 111A
Loss Prev. Supervisor: Mr. Steve Lee X 6666 ([email protected]) BK II 111B
Training and Program
Development Specialist, Mr. Will Fahey X 2318 ([email protected]) BK II 106
Safety Compliance Specialist
Ms. Judy Kays X2092 ([email protected]) BK II 106A
2. Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Mr. Peter F. Caracappa, RSO X2212 ([email protected]) NES 1-19
3. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee
Dr. Robert Block (Chair), LINAC X6404 ([email protected]) NES 1-7
Dr. Ron Bailey, Chemistry X4856 ([email protected]) COG 117
Dr. Richard Bopp, Earth & Env. Sciences X3075 ([email protected]) MRC 369
Ms. Cecile Mars, Director, EH&S X6117 ([email protected]) BKII 111A
Dr. Mark Embrechts, DSES. X4009 ([email protected]) JEC 5046
Mr. Oliver Holmes, Campus Planning X8238 ([email protected]) SV 219
& Facility Design
Dr. Harry Roy, Biology X8170 ([email protected]) MRC 302
Dr. Tim Hayes, Physics X8019 ([email protected]) SC 1W07
Dr. Minoru Tomozawa, Materials X6659 ([email protected]) MRC109B
Dr. Chan-Hyeong Kim, Ex Officio X2212 ([email protected]) NES 1-19
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4. RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY COMMITTEE
4.1 Membership
The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee is appointed by and reports to the Vice President of Human
Resources. Members must have experience in the use of radioactive materials and/ or radiation producing
equipment, and in some aspect of radiation safety. The Radiation Safety Officer is an ex officio member
of the Committee.
The Chairperson of the Committee is appointed by the Vice President of Human Resources. The
Chairperson's responsibilities include:
(1) Calling meetings of the Committee.
(2) Making recommendations to the Vice President of Human Resources concerning the size
and composition of the Committee.
(3) Preparing reports of Committee activities for the Vice President of Human Resources.
Under recommendation of the Chairperson, and approval of the Vice President of Human Resources, the
Committee may seek the advice of a consultant having special expertise in some aspect of radiation
safety. This consultant would normally be a member of Rensselaer's faculty or staff, or an emeriti.
4.2 Responsibilities
The Committee is charged with:
(1) Setting Institute policies for radiation and nuclear safety.
(2) Giving such advice and assistance as may be requested by the Radiation Safety Officer.
(3) Giving approval to reactivate an operation involving radiation if such an operation has been
stopped by the Radiation Safety Officer.
(4) Evaluating the Institute's overall radiation safety program and the effectiveness of the
administration of this program on an annual basis. Evaluation results should be presented in
a brief written annual report to the Vice President of Human Resources.
4.3 Meetings
The Committee meets at least 4 times a year, twice during the Spring semester and twice during the Fall
semester. The committee may also be called at any time during the calendar year whenever matters of
urgency arise, as determined by the Vice President of Human Resources, the Chairperson, or the
Radiation Safety Officer. Guests may attend meetings at the invitation of the Chairperson. In the event
that meetings are held in the absence of the Chairperson, a Chairperson pro tem will be selected from the
attending members.
A quorum consists of at least half of the Committee members and includes the Radiation Safety Officer
and the Director of Environmental Health and Safety; or their representatives.
The Committee attempts to hold meetings at institute radiation facilities for the purpose of inspecting the
facilities and providing the members with a first-hand knowledge of each facility. The committee
attempts to audit each facility at least once a year.
Minutes of meeting are distributed to the members, the Vice President of Human Resources, (or his/her
designated representative), the staff of the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, and to the Chairperson
of the Nuclear Safety Review Board.
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4.4 Meeting Agenda
The meeting agenda shall include but not be limited to the following topics:
A) Old Business
1) Minutes of previous meeting
2) Outstanding regulatory inspection items
B) Regulatory Inspections since previous meeting
1) Recommendations
2) Violations
C) New Business Items
1) Audits by the Radiation Safety Officer
2) New users (faculty, staff, students)
D) Current events effecting the Radiation Protection Program
E) Radiation exposures to Rensselaer's faculty, staff and students
1) Dosimetry ALARA Reports (ALARA)
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5. OFFICE OF RADIATION and NUCLEAR SAFETY
and the
RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER
The Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety was established to facilitate implementation of Institute
policy and procedures on radiation safety. It is currently staffed by a Radiation Safety Officer, part time
students, and part time secretarial help. The Office has the necessary instrumentation for surveillance of
sources of ionizing radiation on Campus and provides a periodic appraisal and radiation surveys for
Rensselaer's Radiation Installations.
The staff in Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety is engaged in the study of problems and practices of
providing radiation protection. They are concerned with an understanding of the mechanics of radiation
damage; with development and implementation of methods and procedures necessary to evaluate
radiation hazards; and with providing protection to humans and their environment from unwarranted
radiation exposures.
The Radiation Safety Officer has the authority to stop an operation of any kind if a radiation hazard to
personnel exists, Institute property is endangered, or neglect of Institute policies is observed. The
Radiation Safety Officer is an ex officio member of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee and the
Nuclear Safety Review Board.
Responsibilities of the Radiation Safety Officer
(1) Assure that the radiation safety regulations set forth in these procedures are complied with.
(2) Assure conformance to appropriate regulations of all government agencies concerned with
radiation and nuclear safety, including fulfillment of all necessary report requirements.
(3) Carry out the policies and recommendations concerning radiation and nuclear safety established by
the Institute Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee throughout the Institute.
(4) Personally investigate any radiological incident or accident, render a written report to the
Committee, and render appropriate reports to federal, state or local agencies as required by
regulation.
(5) Maintain Rensselaer’s personnel radiation monitoring program.
(6) Register all radiation producing machines with NYSDOH.
(7) Maintain an inventory of all radioactive material purchases and shipments for the Institute,
including disposal of all radioactive waste materials.
(8) Maintain Accountability Records for all Special Nuclear Materials.
(9) Perform periodic inspections of laboratories using radiation producing equipment and/or
radionuclides and make recommendations for improvement of conditions to conform to Institute
policies.
(10) Assure proper control over incoming and outgoing shipments of radioactive materials.
(11) Approve or disapprove purchase orders for radioactive materials and/or radioactive generating
devices. Submit an immediate explanation to the requestor in the event of disapproval of such an
order.
(12) Review the potential radiological hazards of proposed experiments for the Committee and other
Rensselaer Faculty and Staff.
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Responsibilities of the Radiation Safety Officer (cont’d)
(14) Report hazardous radiological conditions promptly to the experimenter and the Committee.
(15) Render reports to the Committee relative to his/her actions.
(16) Keep the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee informed of any significant changes in
government regulations on radiation safety, licensing and registration, and provide the Committee
with copies of relevant documents.
(17) Inform the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee of any occurrence or situation requiring
consideration of possible changes in the Institute's regulations and procedures for radiation safety.
(18) Order the immediate shutdown of any operation that is hazardous or potentially hazardous.
(19) Provide assistance with respect to radiation safety to any Supervisor of a Radiation Installation at
the Institute at the request of the Supervisor.
(20) Provide instructions for staff and students in the proper radiation safety procedures as requested by
the Committee or the Institute departments concerned.
(21) Give written approval for each Radiation Installation before the Installation is placed into
operation.
(22) Serve as Radiation Safety Officer for the broad license issued by the New York State Department
of Health under the State Sanitary Code, Chapter I, Part 16, "Ionizing Radiation."
(23) Approve specific procedures for Radiation Installations.
(24) Provide Supervisors of Radiation Installations with copies of all appropriate Institute and
government regulations on radiation safety, licensing and registration.
(25) Call a general meeting of all Supervisors of Radiation Installations whenever he determines that
such a meeting will be beneficial to the Institute's Radiation Safety Program.
(26) Provide emergency radiation safety services.
(27) Supervise disposal of all radioactive wastes.
(28) Update and distribute revisions of Appendix A of this document whenever there are significant
changes in the information.
(29) Assure proper posting of radiation areas.
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6. RADIATION INSTALLATION
6.1 Definition
A radiation installation is any Rensselaer facility where:
(1) radioactive materials are stored or used, and/or
(2) equipment generating ionizing radiation is used, and/or
(3) combination of (1) and (2).
6.2 Initial Establishment
No Radiation Installation will be placed into operation before the Radiation Safety Officer has given
written approval. The supervisor in charge of the Installation must submit a request for approval (Form
9.1) to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee accompanied with the following information: a
description of the facility to include methods for denying access to unauthorized personnel, the means of
continuous or periodic radiation and/or contamination monitoring, and a description of the instruments
that will be used. If radioactive materials are to be used, a description must be given for the means of
handling radioactive materials, shielding provided, radioisotopes to be handled in the facility, the
qualifications of the supervisor in charge of the Installation, and a list of persons who may be exposed to
ionizing radiation in the facility.
6.3 Modification of Facilities
Any proposed change in the Installation such as location or energy level of radiation operating
equipment, or in the radionuclide or amount of the radionuclide being used, or in personnel, must be
communicated to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee.
6.4 Specific Radiation Safety Procedures
Each radiation installation must have a set of specific Radiation Protection Procedures which include
implementation of general procedures for radiation safety as described in Section 13.
6.5 Requirements
(1) Each Radiation Installation must have available appropriate radiation monitoring and survey
equipment which is calibrated and maintained in operating condition.
(2) Each Installation using Radioactive Materials must have suitable means available for handling
and storage of radioactive waste.
(3) Posting requirements specified in the NYSDOH Sanitary Code, Chapter 1, Part 16,
Section16.12, "Ionizing Radiation", must be followed.
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7. SUPERVISOR OF A RADIATION INSTALLATION
7.1 Definition
The Supervisor of a Radiation Installation is the employee (faculty member or staff member) of
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute having responsibility for the particular Installation. For each Radiation
Installation the name of the Supervisor must be on file at the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, and
posted at the Installation in a conspicuous location.
7.2 Responsibilities
(1) Assure that all users of the installation maintain a day-to-day radiation safety program within their
assigned spaces in compliance with Institute policies. The term "users" refers to all persons who
work in the Installation and, therefore, includes the supervisor, postdoctoral associates, graduate
students, undergraduate students, and technicians. It applies to students using the Installation for a
laboratory course or for a research project.
(2) Assure that the legal exposure limits are not exceeded and that contamination (personnel,
equipment and facilities) is adequately controlled by requiring that all users of the sources of
ionizing radiation within the Installation make radiation surveys and record the results of these
surveys. These surveys shall include swipe test for radionuclides and survey meter readings for
machines and radionuclides as necessary.
(3) Notify the Radiation Safety Officer of any "Reportable Occurrences" immediately and within 3
days provide a written report of the occurrence to the Radiation Safety Officer. Reportable
occurrences shall include:
A) Any incident involving the use of Radioactive materials exceeding 10 uCi beta-gamma
emitters or 1 uCi of alpha emitters.
B) Any incident suspected of exceeding a radiation dose of 125 mRem in one calendar quarter
to any part of the body.
C) Any incident suspected of causing the release of radioactive material to the breathing
environment of personnel.
D) The accidental release of radioactive materials to the sanitary sewer or the exhaust duct
system of fume hoods.
E) The loss of any radioactive, source, or special nuclear materials.
(4) Maintain a comprehensive inventory of the sources of ionizing radiation (radionuclides and
machines that produce ionizing radiations) in the Installation.
(5) Assure that any person using material or equipment under his supervision is properly qualified and
has received radiation protection training (see Section 16.00). The Radiation Safety Officer will
render assistance in this area.
(6) Ensure that proper personnel monitoring equipment is worn by him/herself, his/her personnel, and
visitors, as required in Section 8, "Personnel Monitoring."
(7) Ensure that properly calibrated radiation and/or contamination survey equipment is available to the
program.
(8) Request from the Radiation Safety Officer that surveys be performed when special cases or
problems exist.
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7.2 Responsibilities (con’t)
(9) Keep the Radiation Safety Officer informed of the scope and proposed changes in the program.
(10) Notify the coordinator of Physical Facilities by a note on the work order (SD-100) and the
Radiation Safety Officer, when work is to be done in an area where radioactive materials or
radiation generating equipment is stored or used.
(11) Maintain security of the radiation sources in the laboratory by controlling access to the laboratory
or securing the radiation sources against unauthorized use (locked machines or locked storage
cabinets).
(12) Assure that no eating, drinking, or applying cosmetics occur in the laboratories.
(13) Assure that all personnel using unsealed radioactive materials in his/her laboratory monitor
themselves for contamination prior to leaving the laboratory.
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8. PERSONNEL MONITORING
Personnel monitoring is the process by which an individual is monitored in order to determine the
ionizing radiation exposure he or she receives. This is accomplished by the wearing of devices sensitive
to the radiations emanating within the Installation where the individual has authorized access. The
overall process includes periodic distribution and collection of the monitoring devices, processing of the
devices to determine the radiation exposure or dose received by the wearers, interpretation and evaluation
of the results, and maintenance of records. Any individual receiving an exposure of 125 mRem in any
calendar quarter will be notified and interviewed by the Radiation Safety Officer, who may require a
formal report from the Supervisor of the Radiation Installation.
8.1 Personnel Monitoring Devices
Devices used for personnel monitoring must be of the integrating type, responsive to the radiations of
interest and of sufficient sensitivity to be able to record accurately exposure levels of 1/10 of the radiation
protection guides. ("Accurately" should be ± 10% of calibration radiations.)
These devices are obtained by completing a “Request for Personnel Radiation Monitoring Badge
Service” (Form 8.1) and submitting it to the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety. Note that training
and prior radiation exposure history are required.
8.2 Personnel Monitoring Wearing Criteria
(1) Each adult who may expect to receive a dose equivalent in excess of 500 mRem per year must
wear a personnel monitoring device. This device is assigned to an individual and shall not be worn
by anyone else or used for any other purpose.
(2) Minors and declared pregnant women likely to receive in excess of 50 mRem per year must wear a
personnel monitoring device.
(3) Each person who has occasion to enter a high radiation area (greater than 100 mRem in any hour)
must wear a personnel monitoring device.
(4) Personnel monitoring devices are changed on a quarterly basis or as deemed necessary by the
Radiation Safety Officer.
(5) Personnel monitoring devices recording whole body dose equivalent must be worn between the
waist and neck and on the front of the trunk of the body.
(6) Other regions of the body (i.e., the extremities) may be monitored only by devices explicitly
provided for the purpose. Devices provided for whole body monitoring must not be used for this
purpose. These devices will be supplied, upon request, by the Office of Radiation and Nuclear
Safety.
(7) These personnel monitoring devices must be worn at all times when the individual (user, workman,
or visitor) is within any Radiation Installation where monitoring devices are required [(1), (2) and
(3) above] on the Rensselaer campus or any satellite facilities.
(8) A protected repository in a secure non-radiation area must be used at each Installation for storing
the personnel monitoring device when not being worn. The Office of Radiation and Nuclear
Safety can supply wall-mounted racks for this purpose upon request.
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8.3 Personnel Monitoring Devices - Maintenance
The Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety shall be responsible for supplying personnel monitoring
devices to users, and to other employees of Rensselaer and visitors to Rensselaer Radiation Installations
at the request of the Installation Supervisor. When a dosimeter is issued, it shall be worn at all times
while working in laboratories and installations where radiation exists. The devices shall be stored in
designated areas, of low background radiation, when not worn. The devices shall not be shared by users.
(1) Requests for personnel monitoring devices are made by the Installation Supervisor to the Radiation
Safety Officer using Form 8.1 "Request for Personnel Radiation Monitoring Badge Service.”
(2) Personnel monitoring devices are exchanged on a quarterly basis by the personnel of the Office of
Radiation and Nuclear Safety or otherwise deemed necessary by the Radiation Safety Officer.
(3) Records complying with existing regulations are prepared and maintained by the Office of
Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
(4) Yearly radiation exposures (EOY Reports) shall be supplied to all individuals required to wear
dosimetry ((1), (2) and (3) above). The reports are usually issued in March of the next year.
(5) Monitoring devices shall be issued to pregnant women working in facilities utilizing radioactive
materials thus providing a means monitoring reduced exposure limits set forth by the NYSDOH.
8.4
Personnel Monitoring - Visitors
(1) All visitors to Radiation Installations must conform to Section 8.2.
(2) Visitor’s devices may be obtained upon written request to the Office of Radiation and Nuclear
Safety (Form 8.1).
(3) Visitors are required to complete Form 8.2 giving name, address, age, social security number (or
RIN) and, if possible, previous radiation history. The forms are available from the Office of
Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
(4) Results of visitor personnel monitoring readings are available upon request from the Office of
Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
(5) Visitor badges will be also utilized for students in a class or in a formal training using radioactive
materials or radiation generating devices for demonstration, training or experiment.
19
Form 8.1
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Troy, New York
REQUEST FOR PERSONNEL RADIATION MONITORING BADGE SERVICE TO: Dr. Chan-Hyeong Kim DATE: Radiation Safety Officer NES Bldg. 1-19, Phone: X2212; Fax: X4832; E-mail: [email protected]
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
VISITOR______; FACULTY______; STAFF________STUDENT_________ Wearer's Name: __________________________ ________________________ ______________________ Last First Middle Initial Address:______________________________________________________________ Phone:___________ Social Security Number:______-_______-_______ Date of Birth:_________ E-mail____________
Student Number (if no SSN): Sex:________
Starting Date:__________________ Termination Date (if known): _______________________
Department/Lab Room/BLDG: Supervisor:_______________________
Lab Phone Number and E-mail: Lab_______________________ E-mail_____________________________
Delivery Room (for badge storage & pickup):____________________ Account to be Charged:________
Specify Radiation Source Used: X-ray Machine Type (s)_______________________________________;
or, Radionuclide (s) ________________________________________________________________;
or, Others_______________________________________________________________________________
Has wearer previously worked in a radiation area: Yes ___ ; No___
If "yes" , give name of employer(s) and dates of employment.
Date Employer Address
-------------------Office Use Only------------------------------------
Badge Type:
1) Whole Body: Beta/Gamma (including X-ray)________ OR, Beta/Gamma & Neutron________
2) Extremity Dosimetry: Ring Badge_______
Badge Service Approved By:__________________ Date: ___________
20
Form 8.2
Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, New York 12180-3590
Personnel Monitoring Record for Visitors
21
9. LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been issued a Broad License (NYSDOH-1035) by the New York
State Department of Health to cover the uses of radioactive materials on the Rensselaer campus and
satellite facilities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has also been issued a Certificate of Registration
#41005863 for machines that produce ionizing radiation. Copies of these documents are available in the
Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety in Room 1-19, NES Building. The Reactor Critical Facility has
been issued the license CX-22, from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Special Nuclear
Material (SNM).
Each individual wishing to use radioactive material and/or radiation generating devices for the first time
must make proper applications to the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety. This application is
formatted on the “Application for Use of a Source of Ionizing Radiation” (Form 9.1). The applications
and registration requests must be signed by the Department Chairman, Center Director, or appropriate
Dean. The Radiation Safety Officer will provide assistance on all applications. The "owner" of the
facility will serve as Radiation Installation Safety Officer. Copies of all applications, licenses (when
issued), registrations (when issued), feasibility reports, hazards analysis, etc., musts be transmitted to the
Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety at the time they are submitted to or received from, any outside
agency. The application documents must include a completed copy of Form 16.1, “Record of Radiation
Safety Training." Individual users shall have proper training on safe handling of radioactive materials
and/or radioactive sources. The Form 16.1 will be kept on file in the Office of Radiation and Nuclear
Safety.
22
Form 9.1
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Troy, New York
APPLICATIONS FOR USE OF A SOURCE OF IONIZING RADIATION TO: Dr. Chan-Hyeong Kim DATE: Radiation Safety Officer NES Bldg. 1-19 Phone: x2212; Fax: x4832; E-mail: [email protected]
1. User Name:_____________________ Department:______________________ Position: _________________
Office Location (Room/Bldg): _____________________ Phone and E-mail: ___________________________
Laboratory (Room/Bldg):____________________________ Phone: _______________________________
2. Information on Source of Radiation
A: For Radiation Generating Machine
Machine Type:__________________________; Energy and Target:____________ Max. Power______
Shielding Condition: ______________________________________________________
Safety Interlocks: Yes____ No____
B. For Radioactive Material:
Name of Isotope Activity Physical Form Weight
(Special Nuclear Material)
___________ _________ _____________ ____________
___________ __________ _____________ ____________
4. List Radiation Detection Instruments Available in Lab: _____________________________________ S/N____
_____________________________________ S/N____
5. Enclose a detailed description of the experiment, past experience, safety training, and lab procedures. Please
complete departmental review of this form and have items 6, 7, 8 below signed before submit to the Radiation
Safety Officer
6. Applicant Signature: _____________________________________Date: ______________
7. Departmental Radiation Safety Officer Signature:_________________________ Date:__________
8. Department Chairperson Signature: _____________________________________ Date:___________
9. Office of Radiation And Nuclear Safety ___________________________________ Date:___________
23
10. RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS AT RENSSELAER
The following provides a discussion of the regulatory control of radioactive materials at Rensselaer.
1. Purchase of the Radioisotope
The radioactive materials are purchased following the normal procedures established by the
Purchasing Department at Rensselaer. The exception being that radioactive materials require the
signature of the Radiation Safety Officer, on the Purchase Requisition as outlined in Section 10.1.
Also the use of the radioactive material must be approved by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Committee.
At this time, ORNS personnel enter the radionuclide in the ORNS computer program for
radioactive material inventory. The individual purchasing the radioactive materials, or ionizing
radiation producing machine, must have met the radiation protection training requirements set forth
in Rensselaer's "Radiation Safety Regulations and Procedures", Section 16, "Radiation Protection
Training."
2. Receiving
When the purchased radioactive material arrives at Rensselaer, it is delivered to the Office of
Radiation and Nuclear Safety (ORNS) in BK II. Personnel follow the guidelines established in
Section 10.2 (7) to distribute the ordered materials.
3. User
When the user receives the material from the ORNS, he/she should enter the radionuclide into
his/her inventory and follow Section 10.5, "Opening of Package Containing Radioactive
Materials" and complete Form 10.2.
4. Experimental Use
The radioactive materials are most likely used in tracer experiments at Rensselaer. Depletion of a
User's inventory can occur in the usual 3 ways,
(a) Radioactive decay of the radionuclide A(t) = A(o) e- t
(b) Radioactive material used in experiments. This refers to experimental losses due to
counting of samples, etc.
(c) Placed in Radioactive Waste Receptacles for careful disposal. Remember that until the
waste is removed from the laboratory it is still in the laboratory inventory.
5. Radioactive Waste Receptacles
(a) Laboratories and operations using Radioactive Waste Receptacles, both liquid and solid,
must maintain a record of the waste on file. These records shall include the following:
(1) Radionuclide
(2) Quantity (mCi)
(3) Chemical Form
(4) Physical Form
(5) Accompanying Chemicals ( very important)
(6) Laboratory of Origin
Additionally, all Radioactive Waste Receptacles shall be properly labeled.
(b) Only stable radioactive materials will be accepted by ORNS for shipment to a Waste
Disposal Site by a vendor. No pyrophoric materials, nitrates, strong acids or bases are
acceptable. Consultation with ORNS is strongly recommended.
24
6. Radioactive Waste Pickup
The ORNS will provide pickup of radioactive waste for all users. All waste will be transported to
the Blaw Knox I Radioactive Waste Management Area. See Section 10.4-”Transport of
Radioactive Material.”
7. Blaw Knox I
The Radioactive Waste Management Area is utilized to prepare low-level radioactive waste for
admission to the High Temperature Volume Reduction (HTVRF), to permit storage for radioactive
decay (DIS, decay in storage), and for packaging in support of licensed vendor disposal. Storage
for DIS requires holding the radioactive materials for at least 10 half lives followed by a radiation
and contamination survey prior to final disposal as normal trash. This is only acceptable for
radionuclides with half-lives of less than 90 days.
Section 12, "Disposal of Radioactive Wastes," is followed to determine if the HTVRF ash residue
is to be packaged for disposal or released as normal trash.
10.1 Procurement of Radionuclides and Transportation of Radioactive Materials
Because of the licensing requirements of the New York State Department of Health it is necessary that
inventories of radionuclides be maintained by both the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety (see
Section 5(7)) and the Radiation Installation Supervisors (see Section 7.2(4)). The procedure that must be
followed for procurement of radionuclides is given below.
10.2 Procedure for Procurement by Rensselaer Purchase Order
(1) The Supervisor of a Radiation Installation in which radionuclides are used initiates a Purchase
Requisition (PR) for the radionuclide(s) under Rensselaer's Broad License. The Supervisor, or a
representative, informs the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety of the desired purchase.
(2) The Purchase Requisition is forwarded to the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety where the
following information is processed:
(a) Radionuclide(s)
(b) Requestor
(c) Licensed quantity
(d) Status of laboratory compliance
(4) If the inventory allows purchase of the requested radionuclide(s) without exceeding the licensed
quantity of the specific radionuclides, the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety approves the
requisition and returns it to the Purchasing Office. Permission to purchase radionuclides may not
be obtained verbally from the RSO or Assistant Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO). A copy of the
PR is maintained in the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
(5) If the proposed purchase will result in an inventory in excess of the quantities stipulated in the
license, or the laboratory is not in compliance, the requisition is returned to the requestor with the
reason why it is not acceptable. The requestor must revise the requisition or place the laboratory in
compliance and re-submit it to the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety for reprocessing.
(6) The Purchasing Office processes a purchase order after receiving approval from the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
25
10.2 Procedure for Procurement by Rensselaer Purchase Order (cont’d)
(7) When the shipment arrives at the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, the destination
laboratory is notified prior to delivering the material. The shipment is delivered on the first
available RPI vehicle. If there is visible damage to the container, the shipment will be held at the
Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety. The Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, or the
requestor, will conduct the necessary surveys to permit delivery. The package will not be released
until examined by staff of the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety or the requestor if visible
damage exists.
(8) The Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety will verify all installation inventories annually by
providing a computer printout to each laboratory for laboratory supervisor verification. Upon
completion of the inventory verification, the laboratory supervisor will provide a written report of
his/her findings to the ORNS.
10.3 Verbal Approval of a Purchase Order
No sources of radiation (machines or radioactive materials) may be brought to the Rensselaer campus
without prior approval of the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety. Verbal requests may not be made
by a radiation installation supervisor. Purchase by credit card is not acceptable.
10.4 Transportation of Radioactive Material
Any radioactive material transported from one Rensselaer building to another shall be transported in a
Rensselaer vehicle. In addition, Form 10.1, “Intra-campus Transportation of Radioactive Material,”
should be completed. Upon request, the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety will provide assistance in
completing Form 10.1.
Shipment of radioactive material (including any device containing radioactive material as a sealed source)
to an off-campus destination, must be pre-arranged and a release must be obtained from the Office of
Radiation and Nuclear Safety. The shipping of the material shall conform to 49 CFR Parts 1-1200 titled
"Transportation" which is available in the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
Transportation in privately owned vehicles is discouraged since it is at the vehicle owner's risk. The
material must be in a container that meets the U.S. Department of Transportation Regulations set forth in
49 CFR Parts 1-1200, "Transportation."
The safety of the shipment of radioactive materials depend on 3 items of conformance.
(1) Proper Packaging,
(2) Proper Labeling, and
(3) Proper Bill of Lading
The Code of Federal Regulation title 49 "Transportation" provides authoritative guidance in each of the
above areas.
10.5 Opening of Packages Containing Radioactive Materials
(1) Receiving
(a) All packages received at Rensselaer are delivered to the Office of Radiation and Nuclear
Safety, Blaw Knox II
(b) Receiving personnel visually inspect the package for any sign of damage (i.e. mechanical
damage or water damage). If no damage is observed the package is sent via RPI vehicle to
the User's Laboratory.
(c) If package shows signs of damage, it is noted on form 10.2, which is completed in
accordance with steps 2-12 below.
26
(2) Users in lab record all information in Item 1 of attached Form 10.2, " Radioactive Material Receipt
Form." (Form 10.2)
(3) Place unopened package on absorbent paper with plastic backing down. Record package condition
in item 3. (If damage is observed, notify ORNS.)
(4) Note radioactive material label on package and check appropriate box in item 3.
(5) Using the appropriate radiation survey meter, record the radiation levels of the package surface
and at 1 meter and record on item 3(A). (If radiation levels in the following table are exceeded
notify ORNS.)
Radioactive Materials Labeling Criteria
Radioactive Material Label Radiation Levels
Package Surface At 1 meter (T.I.*)
mRem/hr. mRem/hr.
White I less than 0.5 not applicable
Yellow II less than 50 less than 1.0
Yellow III less than 200 less than 10
*T.I. is defined as the Transport Index
(6) Take swipe of each surface of the unopened package and count in the Automatic Sample Changer
or utilize properly calibrated portable survey instrument. (If samples exceed 100 pCi/swipe, notify
ORNS.) (NOTE: 1 pCi = 2.22 dpm)
(7) Open the package carefully, saving all contents. Take swipes of inner container and packing
materials and count in the Automatic Sample Changer or utilize properly calibrated portable
survey instrument. (If samples exceed 100 pCi/swipe, notify ORNS.)
(8) The laboratory supervisor should compare the information on the packing slip and the label on the
inner radioactive material container. Assure they agree and record results in item 3(c).
(9) Packages that have met the above criteria may be released to the ultimate user.
(10) Packages not released shall have their final disposition determined by the ORNS following
discussions with the vendor/supplier and/or the NYSDOH personnel.
(11) The “Radioactive Materials Receipt Form” (Form 10.2) shall be signed and dated by the person
doing the survey in item 8, and a copy retained by the ORNS.
(12) All packages and packing material free from radioactive contamination should be disposed of as
normal trash. Make sure all radiation or radioactive labels have been removed or destroyed.
27
Form 10.1
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Troy, New York
REQUEST FOR INTRA-CAMPUS TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
1. Information on Origin of Material:
Sender Name:_____________________ Department:_____________________ Position: _________________
Office Location (Room/Bldg): _____________________ Phone and E-mail: ___________________________
Location of Radioactive Material (Room/Bldg):__________________________ Phone: __________________
2. Information on Destination of Material:
If radioactive waste, check here for BKI Rad Waste Area ________ , then go to Item 3.
Receiver Name:_____________________ Department:____________________ Position: _________________
Office Location (Room/Bldg): _____________________ Phone and E-mail: ___________________________
Location of Radioactive Material (Room/Bldg):__________________________ Phone: __________________
3. Chemical Form: ___________________________________________________________________________
4. Physical Form: Liquid Solid Gas
5. Radionuclides (a) mCi/mCi/Ci
(b) mCi/mCi/Ci
(c) mCi/mCi/Ci
(d) mCi/mCi/Ci
6. Description of Shipping Container:
8. Dose Rate at 3 feet: Unshielded mrem/hr; Shielded mrem/hr
9. Dose Rate at Surface: Unshielded mrem/hr; Shielded mrem/hr
10. Swipe Test: Inner Container dpm/100cm2; _________dpm/100cm2 Alpha
Outer Surface dpm/100cm2; _________dpm/100cm2 Alpha
Comments:
11. Sender’s Signature:
Copy 1 - Accompanies SD-100 to
Physical Facilities Reviewed By: ____________________________________
2 - Sender Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
3 - Receiver
4 - To accompany shipment Date:
28
Form 10.2
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Troy, New York
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL RECEIPT REPORT FORM
1. User Information
User Name:_____________________ Department:______________________ Position: _________________
Office Location (Room/Bldg): _____________________ Phone and E-mail: ___________________________
Lab of Radioactive Material (Room/Bldg):__________________________ Phone: ______________________
2. Package Information
PO#:_____________________________ Survey Date Time:
Radionuclide: ______________Vendor/Supplier Phone:
Package Conditions: Intact: Damaged:______
Explanation:
Radiation Label: Radioactive 1 Radioactive 3
Radioactive 2 No Label
3. Survey Information
(A) Measured Radiation Levels (unopened)
Package surface maximum: ____________mR/hr; 1 meter from package maximum: mR/hr.
(B) Contamination checks (less than 100 pCi/swipe)
Unopened surface : ___________ pCi/swipe; Opened packing material: ___________ pCi/swipe
Opened source container: ___________ pCi/swipe
(C) Packing Slip and Radioactive Material Content Agreement
Radionuclides: Yes No____ Difference __________________________
Quantity: Yes No____ Difference __________________________
Form: Yes No____ Difference __________________________
(D) Disposition of Package Following Survey
Released Recipient Bldg./Rm _________________________
Not Released NYSDOL notification by RSO_____________________
Carrier notification by RSO_____________
Vendor notification by RSO_____________
Radiation Survey Done by: Date:
Reviewed By: ____________________________________ Date:_________________________
Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
29
11. SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIALS
11.1 Definitions
(1) Special Nuclear Materials (SNM)
Applies to plutonium, uranium 233, uranium enriched in the isotope U-233 or in the isotope U-235
and any other material which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) determines to be special
nuclear material but does not include Source Material.
(2) Source Material
Any material, except special nuclear material, which contains by weight 1/20 of 1% (0.05%) or
more of (1) uranium, (2) thorium, or (3) any combination thereof.
(3) Radioactive Material
Means any material including SNM which undergoes spontaneous disintegration in which energy
is liberated either as an electromagnetic wave or particulate radiations and generally resulting in
the formation of new nuclides. These materials can occur naturally or be artificially produced by
nuclear reactors or accelerators (including Cyclotrons, etc).
11.2 Applicable Regulations
The regulation of Special Nuclear Materials is established and criteria for the issuance of licenses to
receive title to, own, acquire, deliver, receive, possess, use, transfer, import and export and also to
establish and provide terms and conditions of license is outlined in 10 CFR 70,"Special Nuclear
Material". The physical protection required for those licensed under 10 CFR 70, "Special Nuclear
Materials" is set forth in 10 CFR 73, "Physical Protection of Plants and Materials". This also includes
protection while in transit. "Packaging of Radioactive Materials for Transport and Transportation of
Radioactive Materials Under Certain Conditions" is detailed in 10 CFR 71. Shipments must also
conform to Department of Transportation Regulations set forth in 49 CFR 1-1200, "Transportation."
11.3 Procedures for Controlling Special Nuclear Material
(1) Control and Accountability
Special nuclear material shall be maintained under the control of the Radiation Safety Officer. A
control sheet (Form 11.1), or equivalent, shall be prepared for each source or unique, permanently
assembled unit of special nuclear material. The sheet shall list the unit designation, description,
leak test data (when appropriate), and inventory dates. It shall define the present location of each
unique unit in terms adequate for the licensed user, Department Chairperson, or Center Director of
the user's group. Relocation of a unit shall be done only with the written approval of the Radiation
Safety Officer and shall be documented on form 10.1 “Request For Intra-Campus Transportation
of Radioactive Material.”
30
(2) Transfers
Transfers of SNM is permitted only if the recipient is licensed (by the NRC or an agreement state)
to receive that type and quantity of material and shall be in accord with 10 CFR 70.54. A copy of
the license or the Reporting Identification Symbols (RIS) number must be on file in ORNS. The
Radiation Safety Officer is available for consultation for completing the shipping documents and
for assuring that the package meets Department of Transportation (DOT) and NRC requirements.
The Radiation Safety Officer shall assure that the appropriate approvals are received and shall
provide the properly signed copies of the form NRC-741, "Nuclear Material Transfer Report" to
the receiver and the DOE.
(3) NRC Reporting
Form NRC-742, "Material Status Reports", shall be prepared in accordance with 10 CFR 70.53 by
the Radiation Safety Officer for each material type held under all licenses. The signed copies shall
be retained in the ORNS files for a period of five years.
(4) Inventory
At least once in each twelve month period, the Radiation Safety Officer (or his designated
representative) shall cause to be performed a physical inventory of all special nuclear material
under his control in accord with 10 CFR 70.51. A physical inventory of sealed sources or of
unique, permanently assembled units, shall consist of a visual verification of the identification
name or number, and an appropriate measurement of the radiation emitted. Other special nuclear
material shall be weighed, the gross weight of the unit or material containing the special nuclear
material recorded not excluding the limits of error expected. Material unaccounted for shall be
determined and compared with the limits defined in 10 CFR 70.51(e). Stolen or lost inventoried
sources, unique items, permanently assembled units, and accountable material shall be reported to
appropriate agencies where applicable.
Special nuclear materials which can be disassembled or divided into smaller units, which are not
uniquely identified, shall be accounted for by assigning a control sheet (Form 11.1or equivalent),
to each smaller unit. Appropriate remarks shall be made on the back of the original Form 11.1 or
equivalent Units shall be in grams, carried to three decimal places when the measurement methods
permit. Measurement methods should be selected to provide at least two decimal places if
possible. Limits of error should be specified and shall be held within the limits defined in 10 CFR
70.51(e).
11.4 Leak Tests
(1) Sealed sources shall be leak tested according to the following instructions except when the
unit is out of service and secured in a tamper proof safe with a suitable seal and secured
with a six-pin tumbler padlock. Sources which are found to leak or which show evidence
of physical damage (i.e., swelling of sealed sources) shall be withdrawn from service until
disposal can be arranged by the ORNS.
(2) Procedures for Leak Testing Sealed Plutonium Sources
(a) Each plutonium source shall be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed six (6) months.
In the absence of a certificate from a transferor indicating that a test has been made within
six (6) months prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested.
(b) The test shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcuries of alpha
contamination on the test sample. The test sample shall be taken from the source or from
appropriate accessible surfaces of the device in which the sealed source is permanently or
semi- permanently mounted or stored. Records of leak test results shall be kept in units of
microcuries and maintained for inspection by the NRC. Form 11.2 shall be used.
31
(c) If the test reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie or more of removable alpha
contamination, the licensee shall immediately withdraw the sealed source from use and shall
cause it to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of in accordance with the NRC
regulations.
(d) The periodic leak test required by this condition does not apply to sealed sources that are
stored and not being used provided that the security requirements described by 11.4 (1) are
met. The sources exempt from this test shall be tested for leakage prior to any use or
transfer to another person unless they have been leak tested within six (6) months prior to
the date of use or transfer.
11.5 Licensing
(1) New York State License
SNM held under Rensselaer's NYSDOH License #1035 shall be maintained under the
control of the Radiation Safety Officer. Documentation, leak-testing, and physical control
shall be performed in the same manner as described above. Material Status Reports for the
SNM shall be prepared and submitted to the Radiation Safety Officer on or before the first
day of April and October of each year for inclusion in the institute's Material Status Reports
to the DOE.
(2) Critical Facility License CX-22
SNM held under License CX-22, Rensselaer Critical Facility, shall be under the control of
the Reactor Supervisor through the Radiation Safety Officer.
Procedures for documentation and control of the reactor fuel shall be as defined in current
amendments to the license CX-22 and as set forth above. Material Status Reports shall be
prepared and submitted to the Radiation Safety Officer on or before the first day of April
and October of each year, for inclusion in the institute’s Material Status Report to the DOE.
Measurable pre-startup neutron population levels in the reactor core with the rods full in
may be used as positive evidence of the presence of the sealed startup source for inventory
purposes. Otherwise, the inventory requirements defined in 11.03 and 11.4 above apply.
11.6 Handling of Plutonium-Beryllium Neutron Sources
The following additional precautions must be observed when working with plutonium-beryllium neutron
sources:
(1) All plutonium-beryllium sources are to be stored in the proper storage container..
(2) Never handle a source directly. Always use tong or forceps of appropriate length to assure
adequate exposure control. The Radiation Safety Officer should be consulted about the safe
working distance, and the appropriate time limits for working with each particular neutron source.
(3) When a source is removed from the storage container, attach the source tag that bears the same
number as the source, firmly to the source by means of a durable chain or leader. These tags
contain the information required by Federal and State Regulations.
(4) HANDLE SOURCE GENTLY. Plutonium contamination will spread quickly and could affect the
closing of the entire laboratory and cause serious personal exposure problems if the source capsule
is damaged. HANDLE WITH CARE
.
(5) Always be sure that sources are returned to their proper storage containers after use, and never left
unattended.
32
(6) When source is returned to the storage drum, attach the source tag to the drum.
REMEMBER!! YOU ARE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
SAFEKEEPING AND SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE
SOURCE WHEN IT IS OUT OF THE STORAGE
CONTAINER.
Know what you are doing at all times. Take nothing for granted. If you are not sure, ask the installation
Supervisor or the Radiation Safety Officer. You share the responsibility for the safety of everyone who
works in this area.
33
Form 11.1
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Troy, New York
SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL CONTROL RECORDS
1. Information On User
User Name:_____________________ Department:______________________ Position: ________________
Office Location (Room/Bldg): _____________________ Phone and E-mail: __________________________
Lab of Radioactive Material (Room/Bldg):__________________________ Phone: ______________________
All Special Nuclear Material shall be returned to the Radiation Safety Officer when not in use. The following
material is in my custody:
Signature of User: Date:
Exp. Group: Date:
Department Chairman: Date:
2. Information on Special Nuclear Material
Date Received: Date Shipped:
RIS Number: RIS Number:
By:________________________________ By:___________________________________
(A). Uranium grams Depleted kilograms
Normal grams
Enriched % U-235 gm.
U-233 grams ( %)
(B). Plutonium grams Isotope grams
(C). Thorium grams Isotope grams
(D). Miscellaneous Heavy Water pounds
Lithium Hydride Li7 gm.
Other
Physical Forms:________________________________________________________________________
Chemical Forms:_________________________________________________________________________
Location of Use:_________________________________________________________________________
Security:________________________________________________________________________________
Estimated Time of Use:____________________________________________________________________
License #SNM NYSHD______________
Reviewed By: ____________________________________ Date:_________________________
Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
34
Form 11.2
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Troy, New York
INVENTORY VERIFICATION AND
CONTAMINATION CHECK RECORD
FOR
PLUTONIUM SOURCES
Source Identification:
Note: a) At intervals not to exceed three (3) months.
b) Notify Radiation Safety Officer upon completion of
check.
Date Checked
Inventory
Custodian
Verification
RSO
Gross Weight
Grams
Surface
Activity
(alpha)
(uCi)
Comments
35
12. DISPOSAL OF RADIONUCLIDES
REFERENCES
(1) NYSDOH License 1035 and amendments
(2) NYSDEC Control Permit 4-3817-00019
(3) NYSDEC - 6 NYCRR Part 380 "Rules and Regulations for Prevention and Control of
Environmental Pollution by Radioactive Materials"
SAFETY
Radionuclides for disposal may occur in solid, liquid or gaseous form. Particular attention must be paid
to the physical and chemical properties of these wastes. It is imperative that the ORNS be advised on the
chemical, physical and toxic hazards associated with these wastes with the nuclear properties. Also, it is
extremely important that efforts be made by everyone to maintain the quantity of radioactive wastes to a
level as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
Procedure for Disposal of Radioactive Wastes
Radionuclides shall be disposed of in containers approved by the ORNS. These containers shall be used
only for radioactive wastes and identified by proper labels.
A. Waste disposal is initiated by the Requestor by submitting Form 10.1 the Office of
Radiation and Nuclear Safety requesting transportation of the radioactive waste to the
campus Radioactive Waste Storage Area in BKI. This area has been designated by the
Radiation Safety Officer.
C. A properly trained individual will pick up the waste in the lab, and deliver it to BKI.
(1) All radioactive waste received by Rensselaer's ORNS at BKI shall be accompanied by the attached
Form RWM-1 and shall be identified as follows:
(a) Date and Laboratory Origin
(b) Physical form (solid, liquid, etc.)
(c) Quantity as to volume/weight
(d) Radioactive isotopes, quantities, and concentrations
(e) Chemical properties
(2) All liquid radioactive wastes shall be sampled by the "Laboratory of Origin Personnel" and
analyzed for H3, C14, and any other radionuclides present in the wastes, prior to shipment to BKI
Radioactive Waste Management Area. The results of the analysis shall accompany the shipment.
(3) All liquid radioactive wastes accepted at the BKI Radioactive Waste Management Area shall be
sampled prior to transfer for disposal. Analysis shall include the use of a Liquid Scintillation
Counter (LSC) to evaluate for H3, C14, and any other beta emitters. The LSC vials should also be
gamma scanned on the 3x3 NaI(Tl) Counter for the possibility of the presence of gamma emitters.
All results shall be recorded and filed in ORNS.
(4) Solid radioactive waste received at BKI shall be in yellow plastic bags only. No loose trash will be
accepted. These yellow plastic bags will be supplied by ORNS on request and will not exceed 30-
gallon capacity. The Form RWM-1 shall be affixed to each bag of trash.
(5) All bagged solid trash shall be surveyed upon transport. The results of the analysis shall be
retained by ORNS.
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13. GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR RADIATION SAFETY
13.1 Radioactive Materials
(1) High standards of cleanliness and good housekeeping must be maintained in all laboratories and
areas where radioactive material is present. Eating, drinking and smoking in such work areas is to
be prohibited.
(2) Extreme personal cleanliness is urged. Hands and fingernails should be washed carefully and
monitored after working with radioactive materials. Always use appropriate anti-contamination
clothing when handling unsealed radioactive material.
(3) Personnel shall monitor themselves with a suitable instrument (GM Type for beta-gamma emitters
and/or alpha-sensitive meter for alpha emitters) before leaving the laboratory or work area. No
person or object shall leave the laboratory without being monitored and properly decontaminated,
if necessary, to assure no spread of contamination or personnel radiation exposure.
(4) Surveys should always be made with a suitable meter before and during work with radioactive
materials. Where necessary, appropriate time limits shall be observed for personnel working with
radioactive material to ensure dose limits are not exceeded. Beta, gamma, and alpha surveys shall
be obtained with a suitable meter during the course of work to assure acceptable contamination
control.
(5) No radioactive solution is ever to be pipetted by mouth. Suitable pipetting devices must be
available and used.
(6) Whenever practicable, operations with radioactive materials should be conducted in a hood, dry
box, or other type of closed system. Operations with materials susceptible to atmospheric
contamination, such as boiling, evaporating, distilling, or ashing must be done in a hood approved
by the Rensselaer fume hood certification program. An air flow of approximately 100 linear feet
per minute is necessary. Work with powders shall be done in a dry box. Work with unsealed
radioactive materials should be done over a tray.
(7) It is recommended that working surfaces be covered with absorbent paper.
(8) Each container in which radioactive materials are transported and/or stored shall be labeled
"Caution- Radioactive Materials."
(9) Any contamination of the body or clothing by radioisotopes must be immediately reported to the
Radiation Safety Officer. Accidental contamination of any working area must be clearly marked as
to the radioisotope, the area, and the survey meter reading. Decontamination shall proceed as soon
as practicable.
(10) When work is completed, each person must assure that his work area and apparatus are surveyed,
cleaned up and arranged for disposal of, or proper storage of, all radioactive material and
equipment.
(11) All radioactive materials should be stored in locked or otherwise secure areas, behind sufficient
shielding, to reduce the radiation below 2 mRem/hr at the surface of the shield. The area must be
properly posted.
(12) All radioactive samples, including calibration sources and sealed sources, regardless of strength,
should be clearly labeled or tagged at all times with the activity, isotope, and date of measurement.
(13) Sealed sources or other material and/or devices generating radiation must be used in a manner such
that exposure to oneself and others is minimized. Consideration must be given to other persons in
the room, behind walls or obstructions, and in other rooms.
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(14) A high radiation area (greater than 100 mRem/hour) must never be left unattended in such a
manner that persons may unintentionally enter said area. If a high radiation area is such that
persons can enter, the person responsible for said area must maintain continuous surveillance to
prevent such entry, remove the radiation source, or lock the area to prevent access.
(15) Whenever air concentrations exceed, or are expected to exceed, 10% of the values specified in
Appendix A (New York State Sanitary Code, Chapter 1, Part 16, Appendix 1, Table 1,), suitable
respiratory protection must be worn.
(16) The following rule should be kept in mind: Work Safely and Use Good Judgment.
(17) Proper containers shall be used for storage of radioactive waste. Liquid waste shall be stored
separately from solid waste. Similarly, short-lived and long-lived waste shall be separately stored.
Additional precautions shall be taken in the storage of radioactive waste that is also toxic and/or
flammable, e.g., waste from liquid scintillation counting.
(18) Rooms and work areas shall be properly posted with warning signs and apparatus shall be properly
labeled with warning labels or tags. The telephone number of the Office of Radiation and Nuclear
Safety shall also be posted.
13.2 Machines that Generate Ionizing Radiation
(1) In the critical reactor and accelerator facilities, a visual check must be made to assure that
accelerator, reactor room, etc. are cleared of all personnel before the equipment is energized.
(2) Entrance to the accelerator room, reactor room, etc. must be equipped with a functional interlock
which de-energize the unit if the door to the facility is accidentally opened, or if failure of the
interlock occurs. ("Fail Safe")
(3) The interlock must not be by-passed without the explicit approval of the Installation Supervisor. A
sign must be posted indicating the by-pass condition in an appropriate location.
(4) An appropriate radiation survey must be made when entering an accelerator room or the reactor
room of the Reactor Critical Facility after operation.
(5) When possible, x-ray installations shall be operated remotely, i.e., behind specifically designed
barriers.
(6) When the unit, or the type of equipment necessitates occupancy of the room containing the x-ray
equipment, radiation surveys shall be obtained during all operating conditions at all personnel
stations. Time limits for personnel must be set to assure that personnel exposure is a minimum and
in no case exceeds legal maximum permissible limits. Shielding must be used, where necessary, to
assure conformance with said limits.
(7) Rooms and work areas where ionizing radiation is generated must be properly posted with warning
signs. The telephone number of the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety should also be posted.
(8) All machines that produce ionizing radiations shall have posted a listing of the interlocks. These
interlocks shall be checked at a frequency not to exceed three months and shall be entered into the
operation log.
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14. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
14.1 Spills of Radioactive Material
(1) All spills of radioactive material must be cleaned up promptly. The responsibility for cleaning or
for calling for experienced help rests on the individuals working in the area involved and
responsible for the spill.
(2) The Radiation Safety Officer must be notified immediately of all incidents involving possible body
contamination, ingestion of radioisotopes, excessive exposure to radiation, unnecessary
contamination of equipment, spread of contamination, difficulty in cleaning up a contaminated
area. The Radiation Safety Officer must be notified immediately in the event of loss of radioactive
material.
The following procedures shall be followed:
(In both cases notify the Radiation Safety Officer)
(a) Minor spills (less than 100 microCi of beta gamma-emitters or 10 microCi of alpha-
emitters).
1. Stop The Spill - Cover and clean up the spill immediately. Use absorbent material
for liquid spills and damp wipes for dry spills. Decontaminate, using appropriate
radiation monitors to check the progress of the work. Decontaminate from areas of
low contamination to areas of high contamination.
2. Warn Others - Notify all persons not involved in the spill to vacate the room at
once.
3. Isolate the Area - Evacuate unnecessary personnel. Permit only the minimum
number of persons necessary to deal with the spill in the area. Keep evacuated
personnel involved in the spill in a central location to permit whole body frisking.
Verify status of contamination of personnel. Inform the ORNS if personnel
contamination is detected.
4 Minimize Exposure - Monitor all persons involved in the spill and the cleaning.
Minimize exposure through use of time, distance and shielding. Use proper Anti -
contamination clothing - Put on protective gloves/clothing.
6. Decontaminate the Area - All cleanup materials shall be considered to be
contaminated and held for disposal as radioactive wastes.
7. Inform the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety. (x2212)
(b) Large spills (greater than 100 microCi of beta gamma-emitters or
(10 microCi of alpha-emitters).
1. Stop the Spill - Using gloved hands, right the container of the spilled liquid. Cover
and clean up the spill immediately. Use absorbent material for liquid spills and damp
wipes for dry spills.
2. Warn Others - Notify all persons in the area. Evacuate unnecessary personnel.
3. Isolate the Area - Establish spill boundaries to minimize the potential for spread of
contamination. Perform whole body frisk of all persons in the immediate area and
verify personnel are not contaminated. If the spill is on clothing, discard outer
clothing at once and before vacating room. Take immediate steps to decontaminate
39
(use mild soap, luke warm water, tape presses) involved personnel. (Shower if
possible.)
4. Minimize Exposure - Vacate and secure the room. Post the room "Contaminated -
Do Not Enter."
5. Secure Ventilation - If possible, secure ventilation to the room. Shut windows and
doors. If HEPA filtered hood is utilized in the laboratory, place fan in fast speed
position with sash to full open.
6. Notify Public Safety and the Radiation Safety Officer - Provide Public Safety
with the following information:
* location of the spill
* nature of the spill (Dry, Wet, Approximate quantity of spilled
material)
* injured personnel
(3) The telephone numbers for Public Safety and the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
shall be posted in all areas where radioactive materials are used.
14.2 Radiological Emergencies
A radiological emergency is one which involves either the uncontrolled release of radioactive material or
the excessive exposure (exposure in excess of the NYSDOH established guides) of personnel to ionizing
radiation. These emergencies will include but not be limited to:
(1) Personnel exposure (or suspected exposure) to possible internal deposition of radionuclides. This
could be airborne concentrations of radionuclides, body contamination or inadvertent ingestion).
(2) Personnel exposure (or suspected exposure) to external radiations in excess of established guides.
(3) Uncontrolled release of radionuclides to the building, premise, neighborhood, or sewers.
(4) Accidental contamination of on-site areas or equipment.
14.3 Objectives
(1) Mitigate the consequences of the spread of contamination to personnel and to the environment.
(2) Minimize and verify the magnitude of personnel exposure to ionizing radiation and contamination.
(3) To assure immediate medical attention for injured personnel.
(4) To enable the installation to return to normal operation.
14.4 Administrative Authority Under Accident Conditions
Most accidents can be divided into two phases: 1) the emergency phase which is the period during which
the first three objectives (14.3) are met and the nature of the problem is being ascertained, and (2) the
recovery phase which commences during or immediately following the accident and includes the fourth
objective (14.3).
(1) Any radiological emergency action shall include immediate notification of Public Safety, the
Laboratory Supervisor, the Department Chairman, and the Radiation Safety Officer, and the
Assistant Radiation Safety Officer.
40
(2) Under no circumstances shall the Facility involved be reactivated without the explicit approval of
the Radiation Safety Officer, or Assistant Radiation Safety Officer.
14.5 Guidelines Established for Use by the Laboratory Supervisor
(1) Medical assistance should be obtained for:
(a) All injured personnel.
(b) All exposures that exceed 25 Rem.
(2) Emergency radiological assistance may be requested as deemed necessary only by Radiation
Safety Officer or by the chairman of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee.
(3) Notification of outside agencies is required in some cases. This notification shall be made only by
the Radiation Safety Officer or the Office of News and Communications.
(4) The Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, 276-2212 MUST be notified at once of all
radiological emergencies. (Off hours, call Rensselaer Public Safety, 276-6611).
14.6 Injured Personnel Involved in a Radiation Accident
(1) The Laboratory Supervisor or other cognizant person shall immediately call Public Safety (Ext.
6611) and request immediate assistance. At that time, the person calling shall provide his name,
the location of accident (building and room number), information on the type of accident and the
nature of the injury and, if necessary, request transportation.
(2) In the case of injured personnel requiring transportation to the hospital (The Samaritan Hospital),
the procedure is as follows:
(a) Ambulance Required. If, in the judgment of the responsible person present, an ambulance
is required, the Office of Public Safety (Ext. 6611) will call an ambulance immediately upon
request. The Office of Public Safety will provide the ambulance service with directions for
reaching the scene of the accident. A Public Safety Officer will be sent to the accident
scene to assist and make certain the ambulance arrives.
The ambulance attendant should be advised of the nature of the injury and radiation
exposure or contamination involved. (The ambulances are connected by radio to the
Emergency Room at the Samaritan Hospital and can call ahead to set the established
Rensselaer Radiation Emergency Plan into effect.) If possible, a cognizant Rensselaer
faculty or staff member should ride in the ambulance or follow in a car in order to assist in
answering questions, etc. at the hospital.
(b) Ambulance Not Required. In accordance with Rensselaer practice, injured personnel are
taken to the Samaritan Hospital (or to the Infirmary) by a Security Officer in a Rensselaer
vehicle. (On arrival at the scene, the Security Officer may determine that the injured party
cannot be safely transported in a sitting position. In this case, an ambulance will be called.)
Rensselaer policy also includes the following for accidents in general:
"The injured party should not be permitted to drive his vehicle if his condition could impair
his driving ability."
And
"Rensselaer employees shall not use their privately owned vehicles to transport injured
persons to the Samaritan Hospital."
(3) Reports
(a) The Installation Supervisor must file a report with the Office of Radiation and Nuclear
Safety as soon as it is practicable and preferably within 24 hours.
41
(b) The Installation Supervisor or the injured person must also complete appropriate sections of
Form WC-1, "Report of Occupational Injury and Illness". (Details concerning this form can
be obtained from the Office of Risk Management.)
(c) A departmental report may also be required.
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15. SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR
RADIATION INSTALLATION
For each Radiation Installation in a Department or Center, there must be a set of Radiation Safety
Procedures which apply specifically to the facility and to the operations carried out in the Installation.
Thus, for a Department or Center having three Radiation Installations, for example, three separate sets of
specific radiation procedures would be required. The set of specific procedures must be prepared by the
Supervisor of the Radiation Installation, who should consult the Radiation Safety Officer if there are
questions concerning procedures. Procedures contained in Section 13.00, "General Procedures for
Radiation Safety", may be incorporated in the Specific Procedures.
The set of Specific Procedures must be approved by the Radiation Safety Officer. After approval, copies
must be distributed as follows:
(1) One copy to the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
(2) One copy to the Chairman of the Department (or Director of Center).
(3) One copy to the Safety Committee of the Department (or Director of the Center).
(4) One copy to be posted in the Installation.
(5) One copy to each person authorized to work in or have access to the Installation.
The Specific Procedures must be revised whenever the facilities or operations in the Installation change
or whenever there is a change in supervisory personnel. In any case, the procedures must be reviewed for
possible revision at least once each calendar year.
In addition to the Specific Procedures, a copy of this document, "RADIATION SAFETY
REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES: PART I, Ionizing Radiation", must be readily available at all
times to all persons having access to the Installation.
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16. RADIATION PROTECTION TRAINING
The radiation protection training afforded by the Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety is designed to
ensure that users of ionizing radiations, both x-rays and radioactive materials, have the knowledge and
skill to work efficiently and effectively in a radiation environment while minimizing radiation exposure to
themselves and other workers in the laboratory. The formal classroom training, offered once each year,
supplements the education and experience laboratory personnel have received and amplifies the on the
job training they are receiving.
The course content of the formal classroom training is divided into 3 segments. Form 16.1 is used to
record the training information and is retained by the Radiation Safety Officer. The first segment
includes the basis of radiation protection and includes but is not limited to:
• Fundamentals of the interactions of radiation with matter and natural radiation backgrounds.
• Radiation exposures from internal sources, external sources, and radiation protection guides for
radiation workers, members of the public, and discussion exposure limits during pregnancy.
• Biological effects of radiation; stochastic and non-stochastic effects.
The second section is given twice, once for the x-ray users and once for the isotope users. The course
content for x-ray users includes but is not limited to:
• Fundamentals of producing x-radiation.
• Radiation surveys of x-ray installation and instrumentation to be used.
• Personnel monitoring and dosimetry.
• Posting and labeling of areas.
• ALARA concept on maintaining exposures as low as practicable.
The course content for isotope users includes but is not limited to:
• Characteristics of radioactive decay schemes and calculations of radioactive decay.
• Contamination control and contamination limits.
• Purchasing, receipt and disposal of radioactive isotopes.
• Radiation surveys of laboratories and instrumentation used.
• Posting of laboratories for radiation and for radioactive materials.
• Personnel monitoring.
• ALARA concept on maintaining exposures as low as reasonably achievable.
• Airborne contamination and internal dosimetry.
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Form 16.1
OFFICE OF RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Troy, New York
RECORD OF RADIATION SAFETY TRAINING
A. Trainee Information
Name___________________________________ SS#________________ Email: _____________
Department/Facility________________________; Faculty ___; Staff___; Student___
Location of Lab (Bldg./Rm)__________________ Phone number _______________
Type of job involving radiation and how long at this job: ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Info. on past radiation safety training (when and what were covered): _______________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
B. Training Course Information
Date of Training (M/D/Y)_________; Instructor_______________; Title______________
Time of Training; From__________ To__________
Topics Covered (Please circle the ones that apply):
1. Fundamentals of ionizing radiation
2. Biological Effects of radiation
3. Important signs and postings
4. How to reduce external exposure?
5. How to reduce internal exposure?
6. How to handle radioactive waste?
7. Concept of maintaining exposure as low as reasonable achievable (ALARA)
8. What to do in case of emergency?
9. Who are in charge of radiation safety program at RPI?
Signature of Trainee: __________________________ Date__________________
Signature of Instructor:_________________________ Date__________________
Reviewed By:_________________________________ Date: ____________________
Office of Radiation and Nuclear Safety
45
17. POSTING AND LABELING REQUIREMENTS
17.1 Notices to Workers
Certain documents must be conspicuously posted in each room, laboratory, or area in which radiation
sources are present. These documents will include the State of New York Notice to Employees (Form
GEN 301), Part 16 of the State Sanitary Code.
17.2 Radiation Warning Signs for Rooms and Areas
(1) Each entrance to laboratories or areas containing 10 times the quantity listed in Table 9 of
Appendix 16-A of NYSDOH Part-16 (100 times this quantity for natural uranium or thorium) must
be posted with a "Caution - Radioactive Materials" sign.
(2) Each entrance to a radiation area, must be posted with a "Caution - Radiation Area" sign. This is
defined as an area where the level of radiation in such an area could cause a major portion of such
individual's body to receive a dose equivalent from external exposure in any hour that exceeds five
millirems.
(3) Each entrance to a high radiation area, must be posted with a "Caution - High Radiation Area"
sign. This is defined as an area where the level of radiation in such area could cause a major
portion of such individual's body to receive a dose equivalent from external exposure in any hour
that exceeds 100 millirems.
(4) Each airborne radioactivity area, must be posted with a "Caution - Airborne Radioactivity Area"
sign. This is defined as an area where the airborne radioactive materials exceed the Derived Air
Concentrations (DAC) Appendix 16-C, Table 1, Column3 of NYDOH Part-16.
(5) There are two exceptions to the room posting requirements:
(a) Rooms containing only sealed sources do not need to be posted if the radiation level at 30
cm
does not exceed 5 mR/hr.
OR
(b) Rooms do not need to be posted if the radiation source is in use for eight hours or less and if
the source is constantly attended by someone properly instructed in radiation safety who
will prevent exposure to individuals in excess of 500 mrem.
17.3 Radiation Warning Labels for Containers
Each container in which radioactive materials are used, stored or transported must be labeled with a
"Caution - Radioactive Materials' sign. In the case of storage, the label must also identify the
radionuclide, quantity, and date of measurement. There are exceptions:
(a) Container with quantities no greater than those listed in Table 9 of Appendix 16-A of NYSDOH
Part 16 (10 times this quantity for natural uranium or thorium).
(b) Containers with concentration no greater than those listed in Table 2, Column 2, Appendix 16-C of
NYSDOH Part 16.
(c) Containers used transiently in laboratory work (e.g. beakers, flasks, and test tubes) for a period of a
few hours and in the presence of the authorized user.
(d) Containers in areas with restricted access, such as storage vaults or hot cells, if a written record is
readily available to identify the radionuclide, quantity, and assay date of each container.
46
Although the regulation provides exceptions, safety is often served by labeling all containers holding
radioactive materials. Attention is drawn to the presence of the materials and inadvertent contamination
of co-workers and experimental data is less likely.
17.4 Removal of Radiation Warning Signs and Labels
Radiation labels must be obliterated or removed from containers and packages when they no longer
contain radioactive materials. Labels and markings should be promptly removed from apparatus which
has been checked for contamination and is no longer to be used with radioactive materials. After a final
survey of rooms and areas formerly used for radiation work, all signs and labels must be removed.