LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Site Map of Manual

Lab Safety Manual
1st Page

Chapter 1
Emergency Response

Chapter 2
General Safety

Chapter 3
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chapter 4
Radiological Safety

Chapter 5
Biological Hygiene Plan

Chapter 6
Laser Safety

Chapter 7
Administrative Concerns

Chapter 8
Standard & Special Operating Procedures

Chapter 9
Facility Data

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Appendicies

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

On-Campus Contact Information

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1st Rule of Lab Safety

Haz-Waste No-No

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Updated June 2002

Radiological Handbook
Section 4.1 - Radiological Safety Committee

A. Organization and Purpose

The Radiological Safety Committee is composed of representatives of the colleges and departments predominantly involved in the handling of radioactive materials and the operation of machines producing ionizing radiations or particles. Members are appointed for indefinite terms by the President of the University upon recommendation by the appropriate Dean or other administrator and the concurrence of the Committee Chairman. This Committee is responsible to the President of the University and is charged with the responsibility for establishing safety measures to ensure the protection of all personnel, both of the University and of the public. It is the responsibility of appropriate administrators and operating personnel in each area to conduct procedures safely.

In setting up rules and procedures to minimize radiation exposure, the Committee calls attention to recognized necessary precautions which, when carried out in the proper spirit, will minimize the probability of an accident occurring. If an accident should occur, the possibility of harmful consequences is expected to be greatly reduced by adherence to these practices.

The Committee hopes that it will not be viewed as a police force or a hurdle that must be circumvented before progress is made, but rather that it will be looked upon as a needed and desirable source of help and guidance to better assure that a project will be conducted safely and efficiently.

The Committee, in cooperation with interested faculty and staff, encourages and fosters new and worthwhile programs involving ionizing radiations. It works toward the institution of educational programs so that all persons on the campus who are subject to radiation exposure will not only develop a healthy regard for the hazards of radiation but will also understand and respect the many benefits of its proper utilization.

The Committee encourages and promotes the use in research of radioisotopes and other radiation sources.

The Committee desires to protect the interests of the University with respect to public reaction and good will in matters involving radiation and use of radioactive materials. In this connection, the Committee recognizes the importance of an informed public and attempts to anticipate public reaction at all times. Indeed, this factor, along with others, is considered in the approval of every project.

To ensure that adequate safety measures are employed in the handling, utilization, and disposal of all radioactive materials, the Committee must have available to it knowledge of the materials' location. It must approve, from the standpoint of safety and health, the proposed users, procedures, and facilities associated with the employment of radiological materials and equipment in research and instruction.

To fulfill these purposes and the responsibilities set forth later, the Committee shall meet once each calendar quarter and upon additional call when deemed necessary by the Chairman or the Radiological Safety Officer.

Approval of any proposed usage of radioactive material or radiation equipment will be based on the adequacy of the safety measures to be exercised. Three principal factors are considered by the Committee in evaluating the adequacy of the safety risks in a proposed usage:

1. The training, experience, and ability of the applicant to cope with the hazards involved in the particular application,

2. The adequacy of the facilities and equipment for the proposed usage, and

3. The thoroughness of the attention given to safety precautions in the proposed experimental manipulations and disposal procedures.

The Committee establishes basic safety regulations, maximum permissible radiation levels, and precautionary measures to serve as the guide to safe operations in handling radioactive materials. It requires adherence to these general standards. In addition, the Committee may specify further regulations to be observed for certain types of operations and for particular projects. These actions are taken within the framework of NRC regulations and additional appropriate guidelines.

If the Committee at any time is not satisfied with the adequacy of safety practices employed in a project, it may require cessation of the project until satisfactory procedures have been adopted. Such corrective action is to be accomplished through established administrative channels.

Although it makes itself available for consultation and advice to the Student Health Center, the Committee normally delegates operational responsibility for the human medical uses of radiation by that organization to its licensed medical staff.