THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ANCILLARY PERSONNEL RADIATION SAFETY PROCEDURES

I. RADIATION SAFETY OFFICE

Jason McNicholas, Radiation Safety Officer
University Phone: x5712 or 6866
Superior Building, 113
Mail Stop - 0607

Alex Stakleff, Assistant Radiation Safety Officer
University Phone: x5372 or 6866
Superior Building, 112
Mail Stop - 0607

Jennifer Galloway, Emergency Response Team Member
Phone: x6867 or 6866
Superior Building, 105
Mail Stop - 0607

II. RADIATION SAFETY PROGRAM

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) License(s) & Registration(s). Ohio has been an agreement state since August of 1999. The NRC is no longer involved with radiation safety issues at UA.

Radiation Safety Manual. UA will receive a new license in 2002. A new radiation safety manual will be developed based on the new license. Distribution of the new manual should occur before the Fall 2002 semester.

III. RADIATION: TYPES OF RADIATION SOURCES ON CAMPUS

Radioactive materials (Radionuclides) - Solid, Liquid
Sealed Sources
X-ray Generating Equipment

IV. LOCATIONS OF USE

Radionuclides and Small Sealed Sources: ASEC 51/Miller; ASEC 382(H)/Holda; ASEC 384B/Milsted; ASEC 386/Holda, Milsted, Ely & Turner; ASEC 386B/Holda; ASEC 386E/Milsted; ASEC 405/Chase; ASEC 409/Cutright; ASEC 484/Ely & Milsted; ASEC 484F/Ely & Salisbury; KNCL 132B/Rinaldi; KNCL 207A/Calvo; KNCL 417/Calvo & Rinaldi; and SHS 128/Ramlo.

Large Sealed Sources: ASEC 81C/Chase

Radiation-Generating Equipment: ASEC 383/Ott; PSCI 107, 108, & 109/Georgiadis; PSCI 925/Cheng; PSCI 1015/Foster; OLRC 6, 220 & 222/Cakmak; OLRC 322/Giakos: CRH 116 & 319A/Friberg; CRH 69/Foos; & KNCL 105/Youngs

LLRW Storage: ASEC 382(1) & KNCL 117 (Satellite storage areas) & ASEC 9B (Main waste & material storage area)

V. TYPES OF RADIOACTIVE PACKAGES

No Label Package - Exempt Quantity Material (no special monitoring required)
Excepted Package - Limited Quantity Material (special monitoring required)
Radiactive "White I" (special monitoring required)
Radioactive "Yellow II" or "Yellow III" (special monitoring required)

VI. RECEIVING RADIOACTIVE PACKAGES

  1. Radiation Safety will notify Central Stores of all approved radioactive materials purchases and indicate the anticipated date of delivery.
  2. Use extreme caution when handling shipments of radioactive materials. Upon receiving a package, be sure to thoroughly check it for any signs of gross damage (crushed or perforated surfaces, wet spots from internal leak). Do not sign for any package if you believe that the containment of the radioactive material has been compromised. Request that the driver remain at the receiving dock, and call the Radiation Safety Office for an immediate inspection of the package.
  3. Secure the package in the designated refrigerator/freezer until receiving further instructions from the Radiation Safety Office. Observe the "This Side Up" arrows.
  4. Contact Jason McNicholas or Alex Stakleff at Ext. 5712. If you are unable to reach Radiation Safety personnel, contact the recipient of the package, or Dr. Jim Holda, Chairman of the Radiation Safety Committee.
  5. We will verify that the material is an authorized purchase and if it requires specific monitoring procedures before delivery. Radiation Safety personnel will pick up the package and transport to appropriate destination. We have 3 hours from the time of receipt to legally inspect and monitor a package arriving during working hours. Packages of radioactive materials will not be received after normal working hours.

VII. SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURES

  1. Be familiar with the different types of radiation signs and labels used on campus.
  2. Enter only restricted (controlled) Type C laboratories. Individuals may not enter restricted Type B laboratories, except in an emergency, without the prior knowledge and approval of the Radiation Safety Office. There is only one Type B area (ASEC 9B-E). There are no Type A areas at UA.
  3. Do not handle any items or equipment labeled as being radioactive.
  4. Do not dispose of any radioactive labeled shipping boxes unless the labels have been removed or defaced (crossed out).
  5. All radioisotope laboratories or storage areas must be locked when not under the direct supervision of authorized personnel. Lock unoccupied areas when you leave.

VIII. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Any incidents involving radioactive materials or radiation-generating equipment must be reported to the Radiation Safety Office. Contact the Radiation Safety Office (x5712) or University Police Department (x7123) and report the incident immediately. Do not attempt to address or correct the problem yourself.

Examples of typical emergency situations are as follows:

  1. Spills: Low Level vs. High Level
  2. Bodily Exposure from an External Source
  3. Bodily Contamination: External vs. Internal
  4. Fire: Release of Airborne Contaminants and Contaminated Extinguishing Media, PPE, Tools, Equipment
  5. Mechanical Problems: Hood Ventilation Systems, Electrical (freezers/refrigerators), Plumbing Leaks
  6. Theft of Material