SECTION II - CONTENTS
Unsealed
Radioisotopes
Sealed Radioisotopes
Sources of Ionizing
Radiation Produced by Difference in Potential
Irradiation Service
SECTION
II - REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE PROCUREMENT AND USAGE OF RADIOISOTOPES,
EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES
Unsealed
Radioisotopes
Application
Application for permission to procure and utilize all unsealed radioisotopes,
however to be obtained, is made on Isotope Form RS0-1 provided by the
Committee through the RSO. On this form the applicant will set forth
clearly the isotope desired, the quantity, the intended use, and the
final disposition. A copy of all applications is kept in the files of
the RSO.
Approval
The Committee has final judgment as to the approval of an application
by any regular member of the University faculty requesting authorization
to purchase and utilize a specific radioisotope. Once granted, the authorization
remains in continuous force unless it is withdrawn by request of the
applicant, by vote of the Committee recommendation of the RSO, or by
termination of the applicant's employment with Oklahoma State University.
The maximum authorized single purchase amount of the isotope is that
specified in the Committee's approval. A request for an increase in
the authorized amount of the isotope or for approval of a substantial
change in its planned use which will involve additional radiological
risks and hazards is to be directed to the Committee through the RSO
for his consideration and recommendation. When deemed appropriate upon
review of the Committee, such a request will be treated in the same
manner as a new project.
Granting approval to an application does not affect the limitations
which may be placed on the University by the NRC in present or future
licenses. The University does not have authority to approve the use
of radioisotopes with human subjects or experiments involving widespread
distribution of radioisotopes. In these cases special approval must
be obtained from the NRC.
Responsibility of the Committee
The Committee requires adherence to the safe practices set forth in
Section III at all times. Evidence of hazardous conditions and/or failure
to comply with these safe practices may cause the Committee to demand
cessation of all operations and to withhold permission for continuance
of the project until assured of the remedy of the hazardous conditions
and compliance with the established safe procedures. It decides with
the RSO what inspections, monitoring, spot checking, and other investigations
of the use of radioisotopes on the campus are to be made.
The Committee requires that every radioactive source in possession of
the University be assigned to a specific individual who shall be responsible
for its use. In certain circumstances it may be convenient for one person
to be assigned responsibility for a departmental inventory consisting
of several teaching and/or instrument check sources. The Committee approves
the individuals to whom these responsibilities are delegated.
Responsibility of the RSO
The RSO will schedule routine inspections and surveys of areas of use
of by-product material reflecting the hazards of use, experience of
the user, and facilities available to the user. Quarterly written reports
by individual users and department heads will assist the RSO in determining
the desired frequency for surveys. In general, quarterly inspections
will be made of those areas continuously using radioisotopes. The nature
of the inspection will be determined by the RSO giving consideration
to the potential or existing hazards of each individual use.
He/she may investigate the use and method of handling of any isotope
on the campus at any time. He/she will point out to the individuals
using the isotopes any unsafe conditions or practices that he observes.
In the event that the practices are not appropriately modified, he/she
may demand cessation of the project pending subsequent action of the
Committee. If cessation of a project is demanded, the RSO must report
the incident to the chairman at once.
He/she must keep adequate records on observations, inspections, and
investigations of the use of radioisotopes on the campus. He/she investigates
any reported accident or spill of radioisotopes on University property.
Responsibility of the User
As a prospective user, the applicant must furnish information requested
by the Committee and by the RSO, at the time of original approval and/or
at any subsequent time requested, regarding the proposed usage of isotopes
and the procedures expected to be used. The applicant may be required
to demonstrate the anticipated procedures.
So long as his/her authorization for the utilization of any radiation
source remains in force, the user must provide a quarterly survey of
his/her operation for the RSO on a form to be furnished by the Committee.
He/she must make note of planned changes in his operation which warrant
increased inspection or a Committee reassessment of his/her specific
isotope use authorization.
He/she must report to the RSO as promptly as possible any accident involving
radioactive isotopes. He/she must not transfer radioactive material
between labs or authorized users prior to the notification of the RSO.
The loss or theft of any radioactive materials must be reported to the
RSO immediately upon discovery.
He/she is responsible for adherence to the safe practices and required
laboratory recordkeeping procedures set forth in Section III.
Responsibility of the School Director or Department Head
This administrator is ultimately responsible for the safe execution
of all activities of his/her school or department involving the use
of ionizing radiations and neutrons in accordance with the requirements
of this Handbook. Each such administrative unit is responsible for establishing,
where necessary, safety procedures and maintaining adequate records
pertaining to uses of radioactive materials and radiation devices by
members of its staff. Reference should be made to the following: Part
20, "Standards for Protection Against Radiation," U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Title 10, Chap. 1, Code of Federal Regulations.
He/she will see that an inventory of all radioactive materials is provided
annually on the standard form available from the Committee. In addition,
a copy of all orders for radioactive materials will be filed with the
RPA and RSO at the time of requisition.
He/she must inform the RSC of all operations and manipulations where
hazard from ionizing radiations or neutrons could be involved. He/she
shall report immediately to the University RSO any accidents involving
exposures, spills, and/or leaks that result in radiological risk or
hazard.
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Sealed Radioisotopes
All sources are considered to be unsealed sources unless the integrity
of the seal has been established experimentally. Typical examples of sealed
sources are: Co-60 and Cs-137 calibration sources for gamma survey meters,
Ni-63 detector cells for gas chromatographs, PuBe neutron source moisture
probes, Co-60 irradiation devices and the like.
Application
See the Application segment of Unsealed Radioisotopes above.
Certain exceptions are allowed to the usual application procedure for
small sealed sources in instrument check kits and demonstration sources
containing exempt quantities (10 CFR 30.71B) of radioisotopes or initially
installed as calibration standards in radiation measuring devices manufactured
under the general license provisions of 10 CFR Part 31. The RSO should
be consulted for details.
Note, however, that such sources must still be obtained through the
regular procurement procedure, assigned to a specific individual
and carried on the departmental inventory.
Approval
See the Approval segment of Unsealed Radioisotopes above.
Responsibility of the Committee
See the Responsibility of the Committee segment of Unsealed Radioisotopes
above.
Responsibility of the RSO
See the Responsibility of the RSO segment of Unsealed Radioisotopes
above.
Responsibility of the Person in Charge
He must furnish information requested by the Committee and/or the RSO
at any time.
When several individuals in a given department, section, or work group
have been approved by the Committee to handle sources, responsibility
for sealed sources may be changed or transferred to these individuals
providing a record is kept. The Committee may require that the person
responsible keep a log of usage for these sources. This log shall be
available for inspection by the Committee or its delegate on request.
No person shall transport a radioactive source off-campus unless it
has been expressly approved on the application, or express approval
has been given by the Committee or its representative.
He is responsible for seeing to it that the usage complies with the
regulations on safe handling set forth in Section III.
Each sealed source other than those exempt by size or specific regulation
must be swipe-tested for leakage at not greater than 6 month intervals
except for plated alpha sources which will be swipe tested on a quarterly
basis. The 6 month swipe tests will be carried out on or about April
1 and October 1 of each year. If a newly received sealed source does
not have a leak test certificate from a transferor indicating that a
leak test has been made within six months prior to the transfer, it
shall not be placed into use until tested. If the sample indicates a
contamination activity greater than 0.005 microcuries, the source is
to be withdrawn from use and the RSO notified immediately.
Responsibility of the School Director or Department Head
See the Responsibility of the School Director of Department Head
segment of Unsealed Radioisotopes above.
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Sources of Ionizing
Radiation Produced by Difference in Potential
Application and
Approval
All applications seeking permission to purchase such equipment should
be made by letter to the Committee through the RSO. Typical examples
are x-ray equipment, particle accelerators and electron microscopes.
Responsibility of the Committee
It is the responsibility of the Committee to inventory all such
equipment in the possession of the University on University property and
used by University personnel.
The Committee must approve the person who is to be responsible for the
supervision of the operation and manipulation of each item of equipment.
This person shall be considered responsible for all operations and manipulations
unless the Committee is notified to the contrary in writing.
The Committee may require that a log of the operations and manipulations
be kept and that this log be subject to the inspection of the Committee
or its agent. It also requires that the person in charge use this equipment
so as to conform to the safe practices set forth in Section III. In
the event of any violation of these practices, the Committee may demand
cessation of the operations.
Responsibility of the RSO
He/she inspects and surveys each item in accordance with the stipulations
of the Committee.
He/she demands cessation of any manipulation if, in his/her judgment,
unsafe practices are continued after being brought to the attention
of the person in charge. He/she reports at once to the chairman of the
Committee any unsafe conditions and practices known to persist. Resumption
of manipulation by the user takes place only by the consent of the Committee
or its agent.
He/she keeps records of all surveys and inspections that are made.
Responsibility of the Person in Charge
He/she must provide a quarterly survey of his operation for the RSO
on a form to be furnished by the Committee. He/she is to notify the
Committee of any change in the equipment that increases the radiological
risks or hazards involved.
He/she keeps such records as may be required by the Committee and makes
these records available to the Committee or its Agent.
He/she notifies the Committee in writing of any change in his responsibility
to the equipment.
He/she permits the RSO to inspect and survey the equipment at any time.
He/she is responsible to the Committee for assuring that the equipment
is utilized in accordance with the established standards of safe practices.
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Irradiation Service
Any exposure of material(s) to ionizing radiations and/or neutrons for
experimental purposes is deemed an irradiation service.
Irradiation which induces radioactivity in the material irradiated is
governed by the safety procedures established for the radiation facility.
The irradiated materials are within the jurisdiction of the Committee.
Their procurement, use, and disposal are governed by the rules, regulations,
policies, and procedures established (see Section II, Part A and Part
B) for radioactive materials obtained from other sources.
Irradiation which does not induce radioactivity in the material(s) irradiated
is governed by the safety procedures established for the radiation facility.
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