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RADIATION SAFETY TRAINING MANUAL

CHAPTER 6
PRACTICAL STEPS TO RADIATION SAFETY

CHAPTER 6 Table Of Contents

C. BECOMING AN AUTHORIZED USER OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

You may be reading this Manual to prepare for the written examination given by the Radiation Safety Office. To use radioactive materials at UCSF, you must first obtain a training number which is issued after you pass a written examination on the contents of the Radiation Safety Manual and this Manual.

Next, you must submit to the Radiation Safety Office, for review by the Radiation Safety Staff, a completed Radioisotope Training and Experience Record (Supplement A Form, see Figure 6.5). The form requests information about your scholastic training regarding the use of radioactive materials, your experience in using radioisotopes, and verification that you are familiar with, and have available for reference, the Radiation Safety Manual.

The Supplement A Form is attached to a Radiation Use Authorization (RUA) Application or RUA Modification Request (See Figure 6.6) . The application form asks for specific information such as the radioisotopes that will be used, the amounts, the exact locations of use, the procedures to be followed, and the radiation detection instrumentation available. The application must be signed by the PI in whose laboratory you will be working. The RUA Modification form is for requesting changes or additions to the RUA. For example, the Supplement A Form would be used if you are simply requesting to be added as an authorized user to an existing RUA.

The Radiation Safety Staff reviews this information. If you are found lacking in training and experience to perform the procedures specified in the application, you may be required to receive appropriate training prior to using radioactive materials. If the application is approved and you pass the written examination, you will be named as an "authorized user" working under the designated PI.

You must also receive refresher training every two years in order to keep current with changes in UCSF radiation safety policies and procedures. The Radiation Safety Office will assist you in meeting this requirement.

Figure 6.5 Supplement A Form

SUPPLEMENT A FORM

A: LABORATORY INFORMATION

B: PERSONNEL INFORMATION

Name:________________________________________________________ Phone:____________

Job Title_________________________________________ Campus Mailing Address:____________

C: TRAINING - Scholastic training in the use of radioactive materials

D: EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF RADIOISOTOPES

E: DOSIMETRY

Is your laboratory currently issued Film Badges? Yes___ No___ Finger Rings? Yes___ No___

If YES, and you intend to use radioisotopes other than ³H, ¹⁴C, ³⁵S complete and enclose a UCSF

DOSIMETRY CARD.

F: USER

I have read, am familiar with and have available for reference, the "UCSF Radiation Safety Manual". Signature:____________________________________________________ Date: _______________

G: FOR EH&S USE ONLY

Training #:___________________________________________________ Date:______________

FB:__________ FR:__________ BA:__________ Code:__________

Data:_______ _______ _______ _______ File:__________ __________ __________ __________

Conditions_________________________________________________________________________________

Figure 6.6 RUA Modification Form

UCSF - RUA MODIFICATION REQUEST

LABORATORY INFORMATION

RUA #:______________________________________Principal Investigator:_____________________________

Laboratory Supervisor:____________________________________________________

A: CHANGE IN OPERATION, FORM, AMOUNT OF POSSESSION,

AMOUNT OF PURCHASE OR AMOUNT USED IN EXPERIMENT

B: CHANGES IN LOCATION: (State Campus, Building, and Room)

Include Diagram of Location

FACILITIES AND SHIELDING: Please check the laboratory facilities and shielding

available for use in areas being added.

Pb Bricks______Pb or Metal Sheets/Foil_____Plexiglass/Lucite_____Glove Box____

Open Bench Only_____Chemical Fume Hood_____Refrigerator/Freezer_____

Cold Room (state isotopes used)______________Shielded Waste Storage Area_____

P.I. SIGNATURE:___________________________________________________DATE:_______________

FOR EH&S USE ONLY

Received:__________Approved:__________Date:__________

Comments:_________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PI retains Pink Copy EH&S-White and Yellow Copies

D. STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

1. Food or drink cannot be stored in areas where radioactive materials are stored or used.

 

2. Radioactive materials must be stored in areas under the control of the user at all times. If a storage area is located outside of the laboratory, or the laboratory is left unattended, it must be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of the material.

 

3. Radioactive materials should be stored in a container, shielded if necessary, to limit the radiation exposure to 2 mrem/hour at a distance of 1 ft from the container. Arrange heavy shielding so that it will not fall in the event of an earthquake. Containers should be unbreakable and placed in trays lined with absorbent materials to contain possible spills.

 

4. Containers must be labeled and areas properly posted, as required.

(See Posting and Labeling Requirements, Section I).

 

5. Explosion-proof refrigerators and freezers are preferred for storage. Store the radioisotopes or labeled compounds on lower shelves, if possible. In the event of a spill, this will decrease the areas of contamination.

 

6. Volatile radioactive materials should be stored in an approved fume hood.

Figure 6.7 RUA Summary Sheet

SUMMARY SHEET OF RADIONUCLIDES, USERS, AND SITES

RUA # ________ AS OF __/__/__

The following is a summary of your RUA approval. It lists radionuclides, users, sites, and conditions of operation. Please post a copy in the laboratory and ensure that all personnel are familiar with its contents. This supersedes all previous summary sheets and conditions.

BASIC RUA INFORMATION

Expiration Date: __/__/__

Approval Date:__/__/__

Principal Investigator:

Lab Supervisor:

Billing Contact:

Delivery Room:

Auditor:

SEALED SOURCE INVENTORY

Quarterly physical inventory of the sealed sources listed in your RUA and semi-annual wipe tests of sources greater than 0.1 mCi will be performed by the Radiation Safety Office.

AUTHORIZED USERS

All personnel issued finger rings or film badges (G1 or U3 = "Y") must wear them when working with radionuclides or when present in a radiation area.

AUTHORIZED USE LOCATIONS

All locations listed in your RUA are subject to wipe testing at the frequencies listed. The results of these wipes, as well as any decontaminations performed, must be documented.

INSTRUMENTS

CONDITIONS

_______________________________________________________________________

All usage must be in accordance with the policies and procedures described in the Radiation Safety Manual and RUA Application as approved by the Radiation Safety Committee.

You must submit an RUA Modification Request form, and obtain approval, to change any authorized users, locations of use, types and quantities of radionuclides used, instrumentation, and procedures PRIOR to any such changes.

Users must monitor themselves and all radionuclide use areas after each use. This need not be documented.

Your laboratory is currently subject to unannounced routine audits at least once each calendar quarter.

Summary Sheet for Permit # ______ Page ______

E. HANDLING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

1. PURCHASING AND RECEIVING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

Radioactive materials may only be transferred to a UCSF PI who holds a valid RUA authorizing possession of such materials (See Figure 6.7). All packages shipped to UCSF are received by the Radiation Safety Office to check for damage (e.g. crushed or wet), external and internal contamination, and appropriate authorization for the amount and type of radioisotope.

Each vial is individually assigned a unique number that is also written on the "Radioisotope Usage Form." Prior to delivery to the lab, a check is made to verify that the lab's possession limit will not be exceeded. If it appears that the limit will be exceeded, the Laboratory Supervisor is notified. In most cases, aged inventories of radioactive materials simply need to be disposed.

Each laboratory must designate a radioactive package receiving area (not on the floor) and post it with a "PLEASE PLACE DELIVERIES HERE" sign. All radioactive packages will be delivered to this area which must be kept clear of other items and maintained in a neat manner.

Radioactive packages will only be delivered to authorized users, preferably the Laboratory Supervisor. If no authorized user is available, an "Attempt to Deliver" notice will be left in the laboratory.

a. When receiving packages, wear disposable gloves, a lab coat, and appropriate personnel dosimetry (i.e. film badge and/or finger ring).

b. Open the package, verify that the contents agree with the "UCSF Radioisotope Usage Form," and then sign the form.

c. Carefully inspect each package for possible breakage of seals, lids, or containers, loss of liquid, or change in color of absorbing material. If contamination, leakage, or shortages are observed, notify the Radiation Safety Office and the vendor's Customer Service Department immediately.

d. Promptly place radioactive materials in designated storage areas (all volatile radioactive materials should be immediately stored in an approved radioactive fume hood). Note that radioactive solutions inadvertently stored upside down may gradually leak and cause contamination.

e. Check the radiation levels of unshielded containers. If necessary, place containers behind shielding to reduce exposure. (Pertinent for high energy beta and gamma emitters.)

f. Deface radioactive labels before placing shipping boxes in the trash.

2. PREPARING THE WORK AREA

Check the following points before starting a procedure:

a. Locate work areas away from heavy traffic or doorways. Clear an adequate area of the bench top of unnecessary items. When volatile radioactive materials are to be handled, the work area must be set up in an approved fume hood.

b. Use plastic-backed, absorbent pads in trays or pans to cover work areas. Small, easily-spilled containers need a stable work surface to prevent spillage -- use trays or shallow pans, if necessary.

c. Change bench coverings frequently to avoid producing contaminated dust problems from dried spills. It is recommended that small pads be used in the work area to minimize the volume of waste.

d. Keep containers and contaminated materials well to the rear of the work area.

e. Provide adequate shielding, radiation exposure rate should be less than 2 mR/hr at 30 cm from shields; survey periodically using an appropriate method. Make sure that a bench will support the required shielding and that the shield is secured so that it will not fall. Heavy lead brick shielding is not required for ¹²⁵I. Thin (1/16-1/8 in) sheeting or leaded plastic shields are adequate. Lucite is preferred for shielding high-energy beta sources (lead shields may cause bremsstrahlung (x-rays) exposure).

f. Food, drinks, smoking materials, food or drink containers, eating utensils or cosmetics cannot be present in areas where radioactive materials are used or may be used. All food or beverage consumption must be in areas approved by the Radiation Safety Office. Refrigerators shall not be used jointly for foods and radioactive materials.

3. PRECAUTIONS DURING THE EXPERIMENT

a. Wear appropriate protective clothing such as waterproof gloves and a lab coat when handling unsealed radionuclides. Change gloves frequently, especially after moving from working in a contaminated area to a clean one. Wear two pairs of gloves during iodination procedures. There appears to be some passage of vapors through the glove. Safety glasses or goggles can reduce eye exposure from high energy beta-particles as can leaded eyeglasses for low energy photons. These are not a substitute for use of shields.

b. Film badges and/or finger rings must be worn, if assigned, to monitor exposure.

c. Handle gamma and energetic beta-emitting sources and stock bottles using tongs or forceps. Crucible tongs, with rubber tubing on tips to increase gripping effectiveness, are usually satisfactory (and inexpensive).

d. Use remote or hand-controlled pipettes. Mouth pipetting is expressly forbidden.

e. Cover containers (vials, etc.) which hold volatile and air-reactive radioactive materials, such as radioiodide, borotritides, tritiated water, labeled methyl halides, etc. If possible use covered tubes when centrifuging radioactivity. Also cover tubes with foil, wrap or parafilm when vortex mixing is done. Be sure to wrap wastes containing radioiodine prior to disposal.

f. Use appropriate containment, e.g., approved fume hoods or glove boxes (see Section F below).

g. Maintain good personal hygiene. Keep fingernails short and clean. Do not work with radioactive materials if there is a break in the skin below the wrist or if open cuts may be contaminated. Wash hands thoroughly before handling any object which goes to the mouth, nose, or eyes.

h. Have a small waste container (bag or can) in the work area for disposal of waste. After the procedure, the waste should be placed in a metal waste can that has a foot-operated lid, is lined with a plastic bag, and is marked with a "Caution - Radioactive Materials" label.

i. Make sure that a functioning survey meter is available at the work area when working with millicurie levels of radionuclides, especially ¹²⁵I and ³²P. Always check the batteries and verify that the meter is within the calibration period.

j. Survey glassware and apparatus used for experiments with radioactive materials and decontaminate prior to releasing the items to general dishwashing services or releasing them for general usage.

k. Be informed; know the mechanical, chemical and radiation hazards of the materials and operations which are to be performed. Frequently it is useful to try a "cold-run" to see if an experiment is feasible.

 

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