Radiation Safety Manual

Policy 303.23

Introduction

Appalachian State University is licensed by the State of North Carolina to use radiation sources in operations, education, and research and development activities. The ASU Radiation Safety Officer may issue individual faculty and staff members an ASU Radiation Use Authorization, to use radiation sources after a review of the proposed use, adequacy of facilities, and experience of the applicant. Although this provision allows the University great flexibility in dealing with the multitude of radiation sources and research uses encountered on campus, it places equally great responsibility on investigators and the Administration to comply with State regulations so that this flexibility may continue. The State of North Carolina administers licensing of some radioactive material and registering all x-ray producing machines.

This manual summarizes the terms of the University's authorization and the policies most applicable to campus utilization of various radiation sources and x-ray producing machines, such as acquiring, using, and disposing of radioactive material. A copy must be available in each facility where radiation sources are used. Special precautions, regulations, and other operating procedures specified by the Radiation Safety Officer or the State of North Carolina must also be maintained and made available to laboratory personnel. Everyone involved with the use of radiation sources in any way is required to be familiar with the provisions of this manual. The manual must be readily available to all interested individuals. All radiation exposure must be maintained to levels that are as low as are reasonably achievable (ALARA).

We would like to thank the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Nevada at Reno for their permission to use portions of their Radiation Safety Manuals.

Definitions

Registration - Approval issued by the State of North Carolina to possess and use x-ray generating equipment

15A NCAC 11 North Carolina Regulations for Protection Against Radiation (http://www.ncradiation.net/regs/15ANCAC11_1006.pdf)

Policy and Procedure Statements

Administration

The ASU Radiation Safety Program

A. The Appalachian State University (ASU) Radiation Safety Program shall administer the procedures and engineering controls to achieve occupational doses to researchers, students, and the general public and releases of radioactive materials that are As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).

B. The ASU Radiation Safety Program shall be reviewed annually by the ASU Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for program content and proper implementation of procedures in accordance with 15A NCAC 11, North Carolina Regulations for Protection Against Radiation.

C. The Radiation Safety Program described in this document applies to the use of radioisotopes and x-ray producing machines by academic ASU faculty and staff.

The ASU Radiation Safety Council

The Radiation Safety Council shall consist of faculty and staff members with experience using radioactive materials or ionizing radiation producing devices, or with an interest in safety. The Council shall be appointed by the Chancellor for two and three year terms. The purpose of the Council shall be to ensure that the radiation usage at ASU is conducted in accordance with ALARA and at the lowest risk possible to the University community.

The Radiation Safety Council is responsible for the following:

A. Review and recommendations concerning policies and procedures governing the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices. A majority vote of a quorum will be required to approve an agenda item.

B. Assist with the preparation and compilation of a Radiation Safety Program operations and performance audit when requested by the RSO.

C. Provision of professional advice to the Chancellor or a designee regarding the RSO?s qualifications and performance.

D. Provision of professional advice to the RSO on matters regarding radiation safety.

The ASU Radiation Safety Officer =

The Radiation Safety Officer shall be that person appointed by the University and acceptable to NC DENR Radiation Protection Section as qualified to implement the ASU Radiation Safety Program and to advise University members on safety matters pertaining to ionizing radiation.

The ASU RSO holds the Specific License on which all licensable quantities of radioactive materials are listed.

Responsibilities of the Radiation Safety Officer shall be to:

A. Establish and oversee University operating safety, emergency, and ALARA procedures and review them annually to ensure that the procedures are current and conform to 15A NCAC 11 regulations.

B. Administer ASU?s Specific License.

C. Administer ASU?s radiation training program.

D. Act as liaison between ASU and NCDENR/RPS.

E. Review and issue final approval of applications for Radiation Use Authorizations.

F. Review and issue final approval of applications for acquiring radioactive material.

G. Prepare applications for and amendments to radioactive materials licenses and ionizing radiation producing registrations, as submitted to the NCDENR/RPS.

H. Assist in the applications for and amendments to ionizing radiation producing registrations, as submitted to the NCDENR/RPS.

I. Provide records to the Office of Research Protections for record keeping as required by 15A NCAC 11 regulations.

J. Ensure that personnel are complying with these rules, and the conditions, safety and emergency procedures of the ASU Specific License.

K. Ensure that operators of x-ray producing machines are complying with these rules, and the conditions, safety and emergency procedures of their registration.

L. Provide assistance to the hazardous waste disposal program for radioactive materials.

M. Ensure that required radiation surveys and leak tests are performed and documented in accordance with the terms of the license, including corrective measures when levels of radiation exceed established limits.

N. Ensure that personnel monitoring is used properly by occupationally exposed personnel, that records are kept of the monitoring results, and that timely notifications are made as required by regulatory entities.

O. Ensure the proper storing, labeling, transport, and use of sources of radiation, storage, and/or transport containers.

P. Ensure that inventories are performed in accordance with the activities for which the license application is submitted.

Q. Assume control and have the authority to institute corrective actions, including shutdown of operations when necessary in emergency situations or unsafe conditions.

R. Investigate and submit appropriate documentation to NCDENR/RPS for each known or suspected case of radiation exposure to an individual or radiation level detected in excess of limits established by these rules and each theft or loss of source(s) of radiation, to determine the cause(s), and to take steps to minimize a recurrence.

S. Investigate and submit a report to the appropriate Agency for each known or suspected significant case of release of radioactive material(s) to the environment.

T. Coordinate with the applicable University departments and groups (Public Safety and Risk Management, Occupational Safety and Health Department, etc.) to ensure that the radiation safety program is operating within the scope of University-wide safety and security initiatives.

The ASU Office of Research Protections

The Office of Research Protections shall be the unit responsible for providing administrative support to the RSO and Radiation Safety Council.

Responsibilities of the Office of Research Protections are:

A. Process applications for licenses, registrations, and other State documents. B. Provide administrative support to the RSO and Radiation Safety Council. C. Have knowledge of management policies and administrative procedures of the license. D. Ensure that records are maintained as required by 15A NCAC 11 regulations.

The North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources / Radiation Protection Section

NCDENR/RPS is the State agency responsible for enforcing policy pertaining to radioactivity and administering radioactive materials and x-ray producing machines. The North Carolina statute which regulates radioactive materials is 15A NCAC 11, Regulations for Protection Against Radiation.