The Radiation Safety section of OEHS works to ensure that all radiation safety regulations set forth by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and VCU are faithfully observed.  These regulations require routine inspections of laboratories using or storing radioactive material.  Here at VCU, the Radiation Safety staff conducts a survey of each of these laboratories on a quarterly basis.  The following is a list of the records and radiation safety procedures that are evaluated by Radiation Safety personnel during each survey:

Laboratory Records

• Radioisotope Receipt & Use:  A record of each receipt and use of radioactive material is required on the "Radioisotope Receipt/Use/Disposal Record" form.

 
• Radioactive Waste Disposal:  A "Radioactive Waste Disposal Form" must be completed before waste is brought to Radiation Safety for disposal.  Maintain a copy of the completed form in the Radioisotope Log Book as a record of the waste disposal.

 
• Monitoring or Swipe Surveys:  A swipe survey of radioisotope work and storage areas is required once each calendar week that radioactive material is used.  In addition to swipe surveys, survey meters are recommended to monitor work and storage areas and personnel (but cannot substitute for swipe surveys).

 
• Quarterly Inventory Report:  An inventory of all radioactive material stored in the laboratory is required as a part of each quarterly survey.  This inventory is given to laboratory personnel at the time of the survey and must be returned to Radiation Safety within 2 weeks.

• Radiation Worker Statements:  All radiation workers are required to attend one of the radiation safety lectures which are held monthly.  "Radiation Worker Statements" will be distributed during the lecture.  By signing this statement, the radiation worker indicates that he/she has received instruction in radiation safety procedures and that the potential risks of working with radiation have been explained.

 
• Radiation Safety Orientation Test:  All radiation workers are required to read the "Radiation Safety Guide" and take the open-book test before assuming duties using radioactive material.  The completed test is mailed to the Radiation Safety section at Box 980112 as documentation of training.

 
• Room changes:  Changes in location of radionuclide use and/or storage must be submitted to the Radiation Safety section using the authorization amendment request form.

• Radioisotope Work Areas:  Caution labels must be posted in radionuclide work areas such as lab benches, hoods, etc.

 
• Equipment, Containers and Animal Cages:  Equipment, waste containers, animal cages, and storage areas containing radioactive materials must be posted with the appropriate caution labels.

 
• Other required notices:  The Radiation Safety section will post room entrance signs, required NRC notices, emergency spill procedures and "No Eating, Drinking, and Smoking" labels.

• Laboratory security:  To comply with the applicable regulations, radioactive material must be secured from unauthorized removal or access unless under constant surveillance by an authorized individual.

 
• Radioactive Waste Storage and Disposal:  Solid waste must be stored in plastic bags within containers with secure lids.  Liquid waste must be stored in plastic or glass containers.  Glass containers must be placed in protective containers before transport for disposal.  All radioactive waste containers must be labeled with "Radioactive Waste - Do Not Empty" signs, which are available in the Radiation Safety section.

 
• Protection of work surfaces:  Plastic backed absorbent paper or other suitable material is required to protect the work surfaces in radioisotope use areas.

• Geiger Counter Survey:  The Radiation Safety section will survey the areas where radioactive material is used or stored with an appropriate survey meter.  Asterisks (*) on the room diagram indicate the presence of contaminated areas.

 
• Swipe Survey:  OEHS will perform a swipe survey of areas where radioactive material is used or stored.  Numbers on the room diagram designate the areas where swipes are taken.  Circles are drawn around the swipe numbers to indicate areas where radioactive contamination is detected.

 
• Eating, Drinking, Smoking, Food Utensils, and Cosmetics:  Eating, drinking, smoking, storage of food and/or beverage utensils, and the use of cosmetics are prohibited in rooms where radioactive material is used or stored.  Triangles are drawn on the room diagram to designate these problem areas in the laboratory.

  ---

Radiation Safety Home Page

OEHS Home Page

VCU Home Page