Page 1 of 6
School of Life Sciences
Operational Practise for Use of Radioactive material
Administrative organisation
University Radiation Protection Officer (URPO)
Radiation Protection Supervisor (JMS -RPS)
Deputy Radiation Protection Supervisor (JMS)
Radiation Protection Supervisor (GDSC -RPS)
Deputy Radiation Protection Supervisor (GDSC)
TBC
Teresa Knapp (ext 8053)
Steve Pearce (ext 8872)
Graham Frost (ext 8065)
Jonathan Wing (ext 3118/2677)
Operational Practise
Before any work with radioactive materials can take place
1. the RPS and URPO must be informed to ensure that appropriate training can be
provided.
2. all new work needs a project approval – please discuss this with your RPS in first
instance
3. a risk assessment plus standard operating procedure must be prepared, submitted and
approved
4. all workers must have a valid radiation licence issued by Sussex University that has
been endorsed to show they are familiar with the local rules for the laboratory, the
project risk assessment and the experimental practises to be used
5. a specific risk assessment must be carried out for female staff who are pregnant or
breast feeding and those working with colleagues of child bearing age must be aware
of the additional risk posed to the foetus or developing child.
6. training in the use of the School’s radiolabel management system - Isostock - will be
required
Ordering Radiochemicals
Only School RPS’s or their Deputy can order radioactive materials or receive them from other
users either within this University or from other establishments. All requests to order material
must be sent for processing to your RPS or their Deputy, through the Isostock management
system. The request process will produce a stock number which will accompany the material
and all of its subsamples from cradle to grave.
Radioactive materials cannot be transferred from other Institutes without registration through
the relevant School RPS, and approval from the URPO.
Collection of Radiochemicals from Science Stores
All radioactive material orders must be delivered to the Life Science stores. On goods arrival,
stores staff will sign the courier records and log entry of the material into their records.
Radioactive material deliveries will be locked in the dedicated cabinet within the store and the
person who has requested the material immediately contacted. Radioactive materials
deliveries must be collected on the day of delivery. Any radioactive materials remaining in
stores at the end of the day will be transferred to the radiation decay store until the following
Teresa Knapp and Paul Mac Court
Revised Teresa Knapp
31 May 2014
07 May 2015
Page 2 of 6
day. Only radiation license holders can collect radioactive materials from the stores and they
must provide the following to the storekeeper:
Radiation licence number
Isostock radiochemical stock number details
Laboratory number where the material is to be held
On collection the stock must be labelled with the Isostock number. These details are entered
into the stores record against the stock delivery and are cross referenced when we are
audited by the Environment Agency or other external agencies.
Storage of Radiochemical stocks and sub samples
1. Radiochemical stocks must be securely stored in a designated radiation laboratory to
prevent access by unauthorised persons, e.g. locked fridge/freezer
2. Volatile radiochemical stocks must be stored in a lockable fume cabinet
3. If the storage area contains materials other than radioactive material the stocks must
be kept in a separate storage box which is clearly labelled as containing radioactive
material.
4. All radiochemical stocks must be in secondary containers to prevent contamination of
the fridge/freezer/fume cupboard in the event of leakage.
5. Sub samples such as probes etc must be stored in such a way so as to contain any
leakage should this occur
6. Storage areas that contain both radioactive and non-radioactive materials must ensure
that these are suitably separated ie separate designated shelves.
7. Fridges/freezers used to store radiochemicals must be defrosted regularly to prevent
the accumulation of ice that could become contaminated in the event of leakage or
spillage within the fridge/freezer.
8. All stocks and any subsamples must display the Isostock number, where there are
multiple micro tubes it is sufficient to label the larger storage container with tape.
These must be clearly labelled with the word radioactive and a warning trefoil.
9. Empty stock pots and unwanted samples must be disposed of as soon as possible
and the details of this transaction entered into Isostock
Maintenance of Stock records
It is the responsibility of each worker to ensure that they maintain accurate records of use and
disposal of all radioactive material in their possession.
 After collecting your compound and taking it to the laboratory store, you must update
IsoStock with the location and storage details
 An entry must be made in the Isostock for every use of the material,
 If the aliquot is relocated to another storage area this must also be recorded in the
Isostock.
 Only RPS’s can transfer to stock from one licence holder to another
 When a disposal is made the date, activity and disposal route must be entered into the
Isostock.
Disposal of radioactive waste
All disposal must be entered against the correct waste stream within IsoStock
 Solid waste into floor bin or bench bin
Teresa Knapp and Paul Mac Court
Revised Teresa Knapp
31 May 2014
07 May 2015
Page 3 of 6


Aqueous waste down the designated sink within radiation laboratory/area
Vials containing scintillation waste into scint floor bin
1. Aqueous waste
 must not be accumulated
 can only be disposed of via the designated sink and must be recorded in Isostock.
2. Liquid scintillation fluid (organic liquid waste)
 Mini vials should be treated as organic liquid waste and placed in a 50l yellow
plastic disposal bin. This waste must be recorded in IsoStock
3. Solid waste
 Solid waste should be placed in a waste bag contained within a Perspex bin (no bin
needed for tritium). Details of the activity and the date it is placed in the bin must
be entered in Isostock.
 Bags or bins must be labelled with an Isostock bin number and the date that
material is first placed in the bag must be added to the label.
 Radioactive waste should not be stored in the laboratory for longer than a week.
 Contents of small waste boxes should be transferred directly to the appropriate
large (0.5m3) waste boxes within the radioactive waste decay store.
 Large waste boxes (0.5m3) should be transferred directly to the radioactive waste
decay store.
 Waste collection boxes must always be lined with a strong clear polythene bag
 Do not overfill a box
 If you discover a box is full, please ask the RPS to provide a new box
Good laboratory practice when working with radiochemicals
1. Always plan your experiment and ensure that you understand the methodology and
have everything you need before starting work.
2. Always wear a laboratory coat, hand and eye protection when working with
radiochemicals. Eye protection for work with radiochemicals must conform to the
requirements of EN166, optical class 1, mechanical strength F and both frame and
lens must be resistant to chemicals. Disposable nitrile or neoprene gloves meeting the
requirements of EN374 (chemical and/or micro-organism protection) must be worn.
Both eye and hand protection must be CE marked.
3. If the project risk assessment has identified a requirement for dosimetry, this must be
worn whenever working with radiochemicals.
4. Ensure any radiation monitor(s) is operational before work and monitor the work area
for any contamination (including the floor and monitor) and record the results on the
check sheet.
Do not proceed with experiment if the area is contaminated.
Clean/decontaminate area first.
5. If fingertip dosimeters are required these should be worn underneath the gloves.
Change gloves on a regular basis and if contaminated
6. Wherever possible do not remove the source from its shipping pot, if there is a need
for this then unshielded stock solutions should only be handled with the use of forceps.
Teresa Knapp and Paul Mac Court
Revised Teresa Knapp
31 May 2014
07 May 2015
Page 4 of 6
7. Monitor hands and the work area on a regular basis and after concluding each specific
period of work. Ensure that the correct monitor is used to detect the label being used.
Mini monitor models with probe type EP15/EL are suitable for 14C, 32/33P, 35S
Mini monitor model with probe type BP4 is suitable for 14C
Mini monitor models with probe type E is suitable for 32P
Tritium contamination must be monitored using a wipe test followed by liquid
scintillation counting
8. Clean up any contamination of the work area or equipment immediately or as soon as
possible. Damp tissues are best for doing this, but use of dilute Decon 90 may be
required.
9. Work in a tray large enough to contain any liquid spillage. Line trays with absorbent
material, which should be replaced if contaminated or at the end of the work.
10. For significant liquid spills, tissues or spill pads to be found in spill kits should be used
to contain the spillage (see local rules for further guidance)
11. All packages containing radiochemicals must be monitored for contamination during
each stage of the opening procedure. Both external and internal packaging should be
wipe tested. In the case of high energy β or βγ emitting radionuclides and for
dispensing operations place the vial inside a perspex or lead vial/shield. Some
shielded perspex vial containers are equipped with lids which can be used to remove
the vial or microcentrifuge tube which contains the radioactive solution.
12. Use a suitable screen to shield yourself from radiation;
10mm perspex if working with high energy β emitters such as 32P
3mm (minimum) Perspex for 14C, 33P, 35S
not necessary for tritium
13. On completion of work or if temporarily leaving the work area, monitor and
decontaminate work areas and enter results on the contamination monitoring sheet,
entering real figures not ditto marks, before leaving the work area:
Monitor gloves, remove and dispose of as radioactive waste.
Monitor lab coat and remove if working in a dedicated radiation laboratory
Wash hands using the “handwash only” sink.
Dosimeters
Where required by risk assessment, dosimetry will be provided to monitor dose levels. If a
dose constraint is exceeded work will be halted while an investigation is carried out by the
University to determine the possible cause.
Measured dose records will be recorded by the RPS and any individual receiving a dose in
excess of either a dose constraint or a statutory limit will be informed in writing.
Dose records must be kept for 50 years.
Action in case of spillage
The response will depend on the nature and activity of the radionuclide and will be determined
by risk assessment.
A yellow bucket containing a spill kit is provided in each radiation work area, this contains the
following:
Teresa Knapp and Paul Mac Court
Revised Teresa Knapp
31 May 2014
07 May 2015
Page 5 of 6
Latex/nitrile gloves
Cordon tape
Decon 90
Poly waste bags
Absorbent pad
Large disposable overshoes
Tissues
Rad hazard labels or tape
Nail brush
Soap
Poly Apron
Long Forceps
Marker pen
Tie on tags
Safety glasses
The following model procedures can be used where appropriate:
Minor spillage; <3.7MBq
1. If the spillage is not contained within the working tray, warn all individuals working
nearby that there has been a contamination incident
2. Restrict access to contaminated area to limit spread of contamination
3. Collect the spill kit
4. Identify (use contamination monitor) the extent of the spill
5. Mop spill with absorbent paper; work from the outside in; use tongs if dealing with 32P
6. Monitor for residual contamination
7. Repeat, mopping the area using a dilute solution of Decon if contamination remains
8. If you need to leave the laboratory before fully decontaminating the area a warning
sign annotated with details of the radiochemical and an estimation of the activity must
be displayed
9. Before leaving the laboratory area fully monitor yourself including the soles of your
shoes
Major spillage > 3.7MBq,
1. Follow 1 and 2 above then,
2. Dial 3333 and inform security with details
3. Notify RPS
4. Collect the spill kit
5. Render first aid if necessary
6. If personnel are contaminated start decontamination procedure (see local rules)
Remove contaminated clothing and bag
Flush contaminated skin with water taking care not to spread contamination
7. Cover spill with absorbent paper
8. If you need to leave the laboratory before fully decontaminating the area the warning
sign annotated with details of the radiochemical and an estimation of the activity must
be displayed
9. RPS will initiate further decontamination.
10. Before leaving the laboratory area fully monitor yourself including the soles of your
shoes
Teresa Knapp and Paul Mac Court
Revised Teresa Knapp
31 May 2014
07 May 2015
Page 6 of 6
Infringements and sanctions
Failure to comply with university policy, local rules or project risk assessments may cause
harmful exposure to radiation or radioactive contamination, and jeopardise the university’s
permit to work with radioactive sources. Serious regulatory breaches can lead to prosecution
and penalties such as fines.
Any radiation worker that fails to adhere to university policy, local rules or project risk
assessments will be subject to the sanctions in the following table:
Infringement
Compliance failure with
potential for contamination,
an avoidable personal dose
increase or other breach of a
statutory duty
Compliance failure leading to
contamination, an avoidable
personal dose increase or
other breach of a statutory
duty
Repeated compliance failures
leading to contamination, an
avoidable personal dose
increase or other breach of a
statutory duty
Compliance failure causing a
reportable breach of a
statutory duty
Teresa Knapp and Paul Mac Court
Revised Teresa Knapp
Action
Verbal warning from RPS
with advice on how to
improve laboratory practice to
avoid a repeat incident
Follow-Up
Written warning from RPS
with advice on how to
improve laboratory practice to
avoid a repeat incident
Period of supervision by the
project supervise to confirm
that laboratory practice has
improved to a satisfactory
standard
Period of supervision by
project supervisor following
reinstatement of license, to
ensure a satisfactory
standard of performance has
been achieved.
Extended period of
supervision by project
supervisor following
reinstatement of license, to
ensure a satisfactory
standard of performance has
been achieved and
maintained.
Serious breaches of safety
regulations or the University’s
safety policy maybe subject
to formal disciplinary
procedures.
Temporary suspension of
University of Sussex radiation
license pending investigation
and decision on actions to be
taken before licence can be
reinstated
Immediate suspension of
University of Sussex radiation
license pending investigation
and decision on actions to be
taken before license can be
reinstated. License may be
permanently suspended.
31 May 2014
07 May 2015