2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 1

Radiation Safety & Legislation

Dr. Rosaleen Devery

Radiation Safety Officer

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 2

Radiation License 0211-0169-09Sealed SourcesAm-241, Be7, Hg-7, Ag-105,Th-232, Yt-169, Ba-133, Cd-109, Cs-137, Cs-137/Zn-165, Co-57, Co-60, Mn-54, Ni-63, Ra-226, Na-22, Po-210,Sr-90, Ur-238,uranyl nitrate, Thorium oxide, Thorium carbonate

School of Physical Sciences

NG13, NG24

Unsealed sourcesIodine-125, Phosphorous-32, Sulphur-35, Tritium, Carbon -14, Calcium-45

School of Biotechnology (X175) & NICB (B01)

X ray equipment Schools of Physical Sciences (NG04, NG22, N205), Chemical Sciences (XB12) & Electronic Engineering (S124 & NG11)

DCU Exwell Medical Centre

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 3

ALARA Principle

All radiation should be kept as low as is reasonably achievable

• Keep time to minimum– Practice using ‘dry runs’

• Keep distance to a maximum – Use forceps– Use adequate shielding

• Restrict access

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 4

General Rules for working with unsealed radioactive materials

• Conduct risk assessment• Control quantities of

materials• Contain materials• Confirm dose rates and

lack of contamination

• The Laboratory• Personal Behaviour• Wear TLD when working

with 32P and 125I • Contamination Monitoring• Receiving & storing • Radioactive waste• Housekeeping

– Registration Form– Isotope record form– Record all disposal in log

book

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 5

General Rules for working with sealed radioactive materials

& X ray equipment

• Handle all sealed sources by forceps• Ensure annual wipe test• Ensure supplier provides take back clause• Use Radiation survey meter• Return dosimeter badge to RPII• Arrange with school/unit secretary for keeping

records

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Annual Limits

• Normal employees 1 mSv

• General Public 0.05 mSv

• Natural Background Ireland 2.5 mSv

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 7

New users of radioisotopes

• Discuss with supervisor• Complete and Submit to RSO

– Registration form– Isotope record form

Obtain relevant copy of :– Requirements for working with unsealed/sealed

radioisotopes ( and emitters)– Intervention Plan for dealing with a radiological

emergency – L:\ALL\Radiation

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 8

Intervention Plan for dealing with a radiological emergency

• Avoid panic• Never touch a radioactive

source• Prevent unauthorised

access to site of incident• Retire to safe distance,

plan subsequent actions and implement

• Seek advice of experts• Seek additional

assistance

Initial identification

Incident response

recovery

Follow up

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 9

Procedures in Emergency Situations

Theft/ Loss

RSO

Gardai USO Security RPII

Calculate Likely exposure Review Security systemReport to Head of School/ Unit, School Safety Officers, H&S committee

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 10

Procedures in Emergency Situations

Damage– Initiate personal decontamination– Evacuate– Place barrier at safe distance from source– Identify area as radiation hazard– Report to RSO

• Time, date, place• Names involved/affected• Results of dose assessments• Probable cause of incident

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 11

Procedures in Emergency Situations

Malfunction of irradiating apparatus– Switch off X ray unit– Refer to Beaumont Hospital for medical

examination– Put up ‘MUST NOT BE USED’ sign on unit– Disconnect, lock– School safety officer to contact Service/repair

representative– RSO to seek accurate assessment of dose;

report etc

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 12

Procedures in Emergency Situations

Spillage / aerosol release• Stop work ; secure cause• Warn others• Isolate and absorb hot spot• Don’t spread• Seal hot spot with bench

coat/perspex /lead• Treat all cleaning materials as

radioactive waste• Check for contamination of

people, floor, bench• Inform supervisor & RSO

• RSO to determine quantity of radioisotope, volume of spillage and assess exposure dose

• School safety officer and RSO to conduct enquiry into cause

• RSO to report

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 13

Procedures in Emergency Situations

Ingestion/inhalation

• Get buddy / first aid staff to call Beaumont Hospital Poison Centre / ambulance

• Warn others

• Leave immediately

• Secure lab

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 14

Procedures in Emergency Situations

Damage during transport– Monitor package for surface contamination– Obtain contact details for distributor– Contact distributor– Replace in emergency container box– Seal, label and arrange for replacement – RSO to report

2nd February 2011 Safelab Module II 15

Emergency equipment

• Contamination monitors ( eg Mini monitor E series)

• Latex gloves, white coat, perspex glasses• Perspex screens, warning notices• Long handled forceps• Storage container (perspex, lead, concrete)• Equipment manuals• Bags of lead shot, lead sheet• Fire blankets, extinguishers

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http://www.rpii.ie/

Thank you

Any questions?