Radiation Safety & Legislation

1. Radiation Safety & Legislation Dr. Rosaleen Devery Radiation Safety Officer Safelab Module II

2. Radiation License 0211-0169-09 Safelab Module II

3. ALARA PrincipleAll 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 Safelab Module II

4. 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 General Rules for working with unsealed radioactive materials 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 Safelab Module II

6. Annual Limits • Normal employees 1 mSv • General Public 0.05 mSv • Natural Background Ireland 2.5 mSv 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 (b and g emitters) • Intervention Plan for dealing with a radiological emergency • L:\ALL\Radiation Safelab Module II

8. 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 Intervention Plan for dealing with a radiological emergency Safelab Module II

9. Theft/ Loss Procedures in Emergency Situations Calculate Likely exposure Review Security system Report to Head of School/ Unit, School Safety Officers, H&S committee 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 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 Safelab Module II

12. 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 Procedures in Emergency Situations 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 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 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 Safelab Module II

16. http://www.rpii.ie/ Thank you Any questions? Safelab Module II