LOWY CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE RADIATION POLICY
Lowy Cancer Research Centre Cancer Research Centre (C25). UNSW.
DRAFT Procedure
Document Number
Authorised by
Version and Effective
Date
Date of Previous
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Related Documents
Use of Radioactive Sources in Lowy Cancer Research Centre Cancer Research
Centre.
Dr Lionel Lourenco-Dias, Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety
Supervisor
2.0;
1.0; February 2010
Ionising Radiation Procedure [OHS 601]
Reliability testing for ionising radiation detectors [OHS436]
Ionising radiation gamma/X-ray emitters spill procedure [OHS302]
Ionising radiation beta emitters spill procedure [OHS303]
SWP For Use of Room LG01
Contacts.
Position
Lowy Cancer Research
Centre Radiation Safety
Supervisor
Lowy Cancer Research
Centre Radiation Safety
Assistants
UNSW Radiation Health and
Safety Coordinator
Name
Dr Lionel Lourenco-Dias
L.lourenco@unsw.edu.au
Location
CVR, Level 3, Lowy
Cancer Research Centre
Ahmad Alhendi
CVR, Level 3, Lowy
Cancer Research Centre
a.alhendi@unsw.edu.au
Robert Armstrong
b.armstrong@unsw.edu.au
Chair, UNSW Radiation Safety Vincent Murray
Committee
v.murray@unsw.edu.au
ACP Radiation Contact
Anthony Don
anthonyd@unsw.edu.au
CVR Radiation Contact
Dr Lionel Lourenco-Dias
L.lourenco@unsw.edu.au
Medicine HS Compliancy
Ken Wyse
Officer (Lowy Cancer
k.wyse@unsw.edu.au
Research Centre)
Telephone
52532
0420 233
833
Chancellery
Level 1
Biological Sciences
(Room 208a)
5 2912
ACP, Level 2, Lowy
Cancer Research Centre
5 1003
CVR, Level 3, Lowy
Cancer Research Centre
Level 4, Lowy Cancer
Research Centre
52532
5 2028
5 2456
Executive Summary
Responsibilities of Individual Researcher
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Complete appropriate radiation training.
Read, understand and conform to local procedures.
Obtain EPA License to Use (as appropriate).
Ensure students undergo training and appropriate supervision.
Obtain and wear TLD (as appropriate).
Develop SWPs and risk assessments for all protocols involving isotopes.
Submit all projects involving isotopes to UNSW Radiation Committee for approval.
Ensure working areas for isotopes are clearly marked and shielded.
Store isotopes in secure location.
Maintain records of:
2. Isotope storage, use and disposal
3. Monitoring of work areas for contamination
• Store active waste for disposal according to local procedures.
Responsibilities of Centre Managements (CCIA, CVR, ACP)
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Ensure that the type and amounts of isotopes ordered by researchers is covered by
their current EPA License to Use.
Maintain records of all isotope purchases and forward these to Lowy Cancer
Research Centre RSS on a regular basis.
Registration of premises.
Responsibilities of Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety Supervisor
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Allocation and collection of personal radiation monitors (TLD)
Assistance in issue and renewal of radiation licenses
Monitoring and managing radioactive waste disposal
Assistance in developing Standard Operating Procedures
Identifying local radiation risk areas
Maintaining records of:
1. Register of radiation users in Lowy Cancer Research Centre
2. Register of personal radiation monitor users
3. Register of radiation apparatus, acquisition and disposal
4. Results of surveys of radiation apparatus
5. Register of sealed radioactive sources, acquisition, use and disposal
6. Register of unsealed radioactive sources, acquisition, use and disposal
7. Register of ionising radiation emitting apparatus
8. Register of results of laboratory contamination monitoring
9. Register of accidents and incidents involving radiation
10. Radiation Safety Training Register.
11. Register of radiation researchers and laboratories
1. Purpose and Scope
This document indicates how the UNSW Ionising Radiation Procedure is applied within
the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Cancer Research Centre.
All persons in Lowy Cancer Research Centre Cancer Research Centre who purchase,
store, use and/or dispose of radioactive isotopes or irradiating apparatus.
2. Definitions
ARPANSA:
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
EPA:
Environmental Protection Agency (now part of the NSW Department
of Environment, Climate Change, and Water).
TLD
Thermoluminescent dosimeter (a type of radiation dosimeter).
Registered users. Staff and students of Lowy Cancer Research Centre who have
appropriate training and licensing for work with radioactive
substances and who are listed on the Lowy Cancer Research Centre
register of radiation users.
3. Protocol.
3.1 Overview.
Work with radioisotopes is regulated under the NSW Radiation Control Act (1990), and
Radiation Control Regulation 2003, and as described in Australian Standard 2243.4
Safety in Laboratories Part 4: Ionizing Radiations.
Use of radioisotopes at UNSW must comply with the above regulations and also with
UNSW OHS Ionising Radiation Procedure (2007). This latter document encapsulates the
NSW regulations and interprets their practice in the specific local context.
The current document provides additional information on how these regulations operate
specifically within the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Cancer Research Centre.
Useful links.
UNSW Radiation Safety Website.
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_hazards/radiation.html
UNSW OHS Ionising Radiation Procedure (2007)
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_policies/procedures/pro_radiation_ionising.pdf
NSW Radiation Control Regulation 2003
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/subordleg+615+2003+first+0+N
3.2. Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety Supervisor (Lowy Cancer Research
Centre RSS).
Work with radioactive substances within the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Cancer
Research Centre is supervised by the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety
Supervisor. Each research centre within Lowy Cancer Research Centre also has a local
contact who liaises regularly with the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS. All names and
contact details are listed at the front of this document.
The responsibilities of the Radiation Safety Supervisor include:
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Allocation and collection of personal radiation monitors (TLD)
Assistance in issue and renewal of radiation licenses
Maintaining records (see below)
Monitoring and managing radioactive waste disposal
Assistance in developing Standard Operating Procedures
Identifying local radiation risk areas
Radiation Registers.
11 radiation registers are identified in UNSW Radiation Procedure as the requirements to
be kept by Radiation Safety Supervisors to satisfy the Radiation Control Act 1990. These
registers provide an audit trail to ensure there is an appropriate management system to
control ionising radiation issues.
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Register of radiation users
Register of personal radiation monitor users
Register of radiation apparatus, acquisition and disposal
Results of surveys of radiation apparatus
Register of sealed radioactive sources, acquisition, use and disposal
Register of unsealed radioactive sources, acquisition, use and disposal
Register of ionising radiation emitting apparatus
Register of results of laboratory contamination monitoring
Register of accidents and incidents involving radiation
Radiation Safety Training register.
Register of radiation researchers and laboratories
It is the responsibility of all radiation users and laboratory managers to assist the Lowy
Cancer Research Centre RSS in maintenance of these registers, by providing information
as requested.
It is therefore essential that the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety
Supervisor is kept informed of all users and of all radiation work planned or in progress.
3.3 Definition of radioactive substance.
The NSW Radiation Control Regulation (2003) defines a radioactive substance as
“any substance which emits ionising radiation spontaneously with a specific activity
greater than 100 becquerels per gram AND which contains more than the prescribed
activity (40kBq, 400 kBq, 4MBq or 40 MBq for radionuclides in Group 1, 2 3 or 4
respectively)”.
This is significant because it determines the level at which a substance is recognised
officially as radioactive and therefore subject to the relevant legislation. From our point of
view, it determines whether an individual user is required to obtain an EPA License to
Use and also if the locations where isotopes are stored and used need to be licensed by
EPA Premises Registration.
Examples of some of the more commonly used isotopes in each Group are provided in
this Table.
Radiotoxicity
Group
Examples
Limit
Approximately
equivalent to..
Class 1
241Am
40kBq
1Ci
Class 2
125I, 133I, 60Co, 45Ca
400kBq
10Ci
Class 3
32P, 35S, 14C, Se75
4MBq
100Ci
Class 4
3H
40MBq
1mCi
If an individual does not at any time purchase, store and/or use an amount of isotope
above the relevant limit, they do not require an EPA License to Use. However for most
individual workers will it be necessary to obtain a license.
In contrast, from a local OHS perspective, there is no lower limit on the amount of a
radionuclide that is considered ‘radioactive’. Whatever the amount used at any time, all
work with radioisotopes in Lowy Cancer Research Centre must comply with the UNSW
OHS Ionising Radiation Procedure (2007).
3.4 Before you start work: Requirements.
There are strict legislative and OHS controls on training and supervision of staff and
students working with radioactive substances, how and where this work can take place
and on who can purchase radioactive substances. Compliance with these regulations is
obligatory.
3.4.1 Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Induction Checklist
First, please complete the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Induction Checklist.
The purposes of this checklist are to inform the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS of
your intention to use isotopes, to assist you in complying with the UNSW and legislative
requirements and planning your work and to obtain a TLD (where required).
The checklist is available electronically online
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_hazards/radiation.html by email from the Lowy Cancer
Research Centre RSS or at the end of this document (Appendix A).
Please forward the completed checklist to the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS well in
advance of your anticipated start date.
3.4.2 Training and Radiation Licenses.
All staff and students who plan to work with radioisotopes must first undergo appropriate
safety training and, where appropriate, obtain an EPA License to Use or an Exemption
Certificate.
EPA License to Use.
Staff who work with licensable amounts of radioisotopes (see Section 4.3), or who
supervise students working with radioisotopes must hold a current EPA License to Use.
The license must specifically state which isotopes will be used and the maximum
amounts of each isotope that will be held and/or used at any time.
To apply for an EPA Licence to Use, contact the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS, who
will provide you with the relevant forms and information about the additional
documentation required. Evidence of completion of an accredited training is required to
obtain an EPA License to Use. The UNSW Radiation Training Course is accredited by EPA.
An EPA License To Use can be issued for one or three years. The current one-year license
application fee is $117 and a three-year license application fee is $226. Renewal fees
are currently $67 for a single year and $176 for three years. It is recommended that you
allow up to one month to receive your license.
Please note that EPA Licences to Use are issued to individuals rather than to
organisations. Therefore please notify the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS as soon as
you receive your license, so that the details can be recorded in the relevant radiation
registers for Lowy Cancer Research Centre. This will also assist the RSS to ensure that
your license renewals are maintained and that you remain legally able to carry out
ionising radiation work.
NSW Radiation License Portal.
http://www.licence.nsw.gov.au/Licence_Launchpad_RAD.htm
Radiation License Application Forms
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/radiation/formdownload.htm Student Exemption
Certificate
Students who work with radioisotopes must first attend the UNSW Radiation Training
course. They are not required to obtain an EPA License, but must be supervised by a
member of staff who holds a current License. The supervisor’s license must cover the
specific isotopes and amounts to be used. A Student Exemption Certificate (Appendix B)
must be completed and signed by the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS and a
spreadsheet recording all students exempted displayed in the area where the student
works with isotopes.
To obtain a Student Exemption Certificate, please complete the student and supervisor
sections of the form and bring/send it to the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS together
with a copy of your Radiation Training Course certificate and of your supervisor’s License
to Use. The form is not valid until it is countersigned by the Lowy Cancer Research Centre
RSS.
The UNSW Radiation Training Course
The course is run approximately monthly by the UNSW Radiation Health and Safety
Coordinator (Human Resources). Details of the dates of training sessions and registration
are available online.
Online registration for Radiation Training Course Is through myUNSW
3.4.3 Planning the project.
Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments.
Researchers should prepare a SOP for all work involving radioisotopes. This should be
accompanied by a risk assessment that gives consideration to the hazards (to the
researcher and other workers in the laboratory) associated with the use of radioisotopes,
in addition to other chemical and physical hazards.
Project approvals.
UNSW also requires that Researchers submit a Project/Program approval form to the
Radiation Safety Committee for their approval before any new research work involving
radiation is undertaken. A copy of the Project/Program approval form (OHS695) is
provided in Appendix C. The form should be accompanied by a copy of the relevant SOP
and risk assessment.
Radiation Safety Committee contacts and project submission deadlines are available
online: http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_committees/radiation_committee.html
3.5 Purchasing Radioisotopes.
UNSW requires that purchases of radioactive materials or radiation apparatus should be
authorised by the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS before an order is placed. For
practical purposes, the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS will delegate this authority to
the individual researcher and their Centre purchasing officer, subject to the following
conditions:
1. The responsible researcher and their Centre purchasing officer or laboratory manager
are responsible for ensuring that the type and amount of isotope ordered is covered by
the researcher’s current EPA License to Use.
2. Students are not permitted to order isotopes; these orders must be placed by their
responsible supervisor.
3. Requisitions include the license number of the responsible researcher or supervisor.
4. The Centre purchasing officer/laboratory manager shall keep a record of all isotope
purchases (name of researcher, EPA license number, type and amount of isotope
ordered, date ordered).
5. These records are forwarded to the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS on a regular
basis, and will be available for inspection on request.
3.6 Record of the Storage and Use of Isotopes.
We have a legal obligation to maintain written records of the acquisition, storage, use
and disposal of radioactive isotopes. This is the responsibility of the individual licence
holder.
In practice, this record can be effectively maintained by using a log-book, in which a
single page records the fate of an individual bottle of isotope from the time of its arrival
until its complete disposal. A template for this is provided in Appendix D. You are strongly
recommended to use this template or a similar document. All log sheets should be stored
in a central location and should be held even when the isotope is all used and disposed.
The Radiation Safety Supervisor will collect copies of these records on a regular basis.
3.7 Locations where isotopes can be stored and used in Lowy Cancer Research Centre.
3.7.1 Premises Registration
The EPA requires annual registration of laboratories where licensable amounts of
radioisotopes are stored or used. The definition of licensable amounts for the most
common isotopes is shown in Section 4.3.
In practice, it is likely that in most Centres that a single location/room can be used to
store and use licensable amounts of radioisotopes. Please note that Premises
Registration is required even if licensable amounts of isotopes are only purchased and
stored (i.e. even if all experiments use sub-licensable amounts). Premises Registration
should be arranged through the Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS.
For more information, see the relevant EPA/DECCW web site:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/radiation/premisesrego.htm
3.7.2 Work with sub-licensable amounts of activity
Work with lesser amounts of radioisotopes can be performed in non-registered laboratory
areas, provided that adequate containment and shielding is provided to protect both the
researcher and other workers in the area. This work should be confined to a specific
designated area, which is clearly marked and segregated from general laboratory areas.
Equipment used in these areas should also be clearly marked and should not be moved
between radioactive and general work areas.
3.7.3 Medium Level Radioisotope laboratory.
Lowy Cancer Research Centre contains one Medium level radioactive laboratory within
the Centre for Vascular Research on Level 3. This is suitable for work with larger amounts
of radioisotopes, to the limits shown in the following table. Access to this laboratory is
available to other Lowy Cancer Research Centre staff, but is restricted to registered
users. To request access and induction to this area, contact the Lowy Cancer Research
Centre RSS.
Radiotoxicity class
Examples
Amount
Approximately
equivalent to …
Class 1
241Am
0.2MBq-20MBq 5.0Ci – 500Ci
Class 2
125I, 133I, 60Co, 45Ca
20MBq-2GBq
500Ci-50mCi
Class 3
32P, 59Fe, 35S, 14C
2GBq-0.2TBq
50mCi-5.0Ci
Class 4
3H
0.2Tbq-20TBq
5.0Ci-500Ci
3.8 Working with Radioisotopes.
3.8.1 Containment.
• Work with radioactive sources must be segregated from other work. Where possible it
should be performed in a separate room; where not, a separate work area reserved for
isotopes should be identified and clearly labelled with a radiation symbol.
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Work with liquid sources must be performed in a double container or a large tray
(plastic or steel) lined with absorbent paper to restrict the spread of any spilled
liquid.
All radioactive preparations should be clearly marked with the radiation symbol,
details of the chemical compound, radionuclide, date and name of the
responsible user.
Operations that may produce vapour, spray, dust or radioactive gas should be
performed in a fume hood or glove box.
Where necessary, appropriate shielding must be in place to protect both the
user and other staff in the laboratory at all times.
Gloves, lab coat, goggles and a personal dosimeter should be worn whenever
radioactivity is used. Make sure gloves are changed frequently.
Always remove gloves before leaving the active area. Protective clothing worn in
radioisotope laboratories should be removed before leaving and left in, or
immediately outside, the 'active' area.
All reagents, apparatus and tools used in the 'active' area must, where possible,
be clearly labelled and normally remain in the 'active' area. Where any item
needs to be taken out of this area, it must first be monitored and
decontaminated where necessary. It is the responsibility of the person removing
the item from the active area to ensure that the item is decontaminated.
Separate waste receptacles for contaminated solid materials (e.g. gloves, paper
tissues, contaminated plastic pipette tips should be provided. They should be
strong plastic lined with a plastic bag. Where necessary, these containers must
be shielded. Filled waste bags should be sealed and labelled and disposed of as
described in Section 4.9.
3.8.2 Contamination monitoring
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Routinely monitor the working area for contamination before, during and after
radioactive use. All contaminated areas must be thoroughly decontaminated.
Keep a written log of all monitoring and decontamination for each area where
isotopes are used.
Handheld monitors for detection of surface contamination by 32P and 125I should be
used. These must be calibrated annually. For locations and assistance with their
use and maintenance, contact your Centre local radiation contact person or Lowy
Cancer Research Centre RSS.
3H, 35S and 14C are not easily detected with monitors. These are measured by
performing a swipe test:
Wipe area(s) and/or equipment with a small damp cloth or tissue. Ethanol swabs are
useful.
Place the cloth into a scintillation vial containing scintillant (and have a background
control; scintillant only, no swipe). Measure radiation in a beta-scintillation counter.
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In addition to monitoring before and after experimental procedures, it is the
responsibility of the Laboratory/Centre Manager to ensure that areas used for
radioactive work are regularly monitored and written records of this monitoring are
maintained.
Workcover or EPA may ask to inspect these records.
3.9 Radioactive Waste Disposal
UNSW cannot dispose of licensable amounts of radioactive waste. Radioactive material
must be stored at the University until the level of activity has decayed to sub-licensable
levels. Minimisation of the amount and volume of radioactive waste is therefore
imperative.
3.9.1 General procedures for management of radioactive waste.
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Plan for waste disposal before beginning any experimental work, and design
experiments to minimise the amount and volume of waste generated.
Keep radioactive and non-radioactive waste separate.
Keep individual radionuclides separate. If this is not possible, treat the combined
waste as the more hazardous of the radionuclides.
Solid waste should be collected into double biohazard bags, securely taped shut,
within an appropriate shielding container.
Liquid waste should be carefully poured into tightly screw-capped plastic bottles,
within an appropriate shielding container.
Liquid scintillant vials and contents may be disposed together if the activity is below
100 Bq per gram. Put vials into double biohazard bags within an appropriate
shielding container.
ALL waste must be labelled with the following information:
Name/Laboratory/Date/Isotope/Approximate activity in Bq (1mCi = 37MBq)
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For long-half life isotopes (3H, 14C) the total amount of activity in any single bag or
bottle must not exceed the licensable amount for that isotope (3H=1mCi,
14C=100Ci)
Do not store waste in the general laboratory areas. At the end of each experiment
the radioactive waste should be transferred to the Lowy Cancer Research Centre
radiation waste store.
3.9.2 Radiation waste store.
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The Lowy Cancer Research Centre radiation waste store (Room LG01) is located
close to the main lifts on lower ground floor. Access is restricted by swipe card to
registered isotope users. Contact Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS if you have
any problems with access or any comments on the use and state of the store-room.
The room is monitored regularly by the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation
Safety Assistants (names and contact details at front of this document), who also
arrange for regular collection and disposal of low-level waste or transfer of material
requiring either long or medium term storage to the University’s radiation store.
All waste must be packaged in tape-sealed double bags, or in securely screwcapped plastic bottles and fully labelled (as described above).
All such waste must be placed into an appropriate waste container.
Separate containers are provided for solid, liquid and scintillant waste. There are
separate containers provided for 3H, 14C , 35S, 125I and 32P.
If you cannot find a container appropriate for your particular type of waste, contact
the Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety Assistants or Lowy Cancer
Research Centre RSS.
You must complete the appropriate form for the waste container you have used for
EVERY waste deposit. These forms are in a folder in the radiation waste room. This
is a legal obligation.
If a waste container is nearly full, please ensure that you inform a Lowy Cancer
Research Centre Radiation Safety Assistant or Lowy Cancer Research Centre RSS,
who will arrange for their disposal. Do not overfill containers.
3.9.3 Transport of radioactive waste from laboratory to the storage room
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Before leaving the laboratory area, waste should be double-bagged, sealed,
labelled and placed in an appropriate shielding container (as described above).
The shielded waste should then be placed on a trolley and transported to the waste
storage room via the Goods lift.
The researcher should remove lab coat and gloves before leaving the laboratory
area. They should continue to wear their TLD (where appropriate).
Clean gloves are provided in the waste storage room, which may be used when
lifting the waste from the trolley into the appropriate container. These gloves should
be removed before leaving the room. A waste bin for the used gloves is provided.
3.10 Radioactive Spills and Incidents.
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Working procedures and a contingency plan taking into account every radiation spill
that can reasonably be foreseen should be reviewed periodically.
A Spill Kit should be maintained in every area/laboratory where radioactive work is
carried out. Details of the recommended contents of a Spill Kit are provided in
Appendix E.
The objectives of a cleanup procedure are:
- to minimise the amount of radioactive material entering the body
- to prevent the spread of contamination from the spill area
- to remove any contamination from personnel
- to undertake area decontamination under qualified supervision.
Inexperienced personnel should not attempt unsupervised
decontamination.
In any case of serious injury, the person should be treated immediately, taking care to
minimise spread of contamination. Emergency treatment for life-threatening injury
should take precedence over treatment for contamination.
3.10.1 Spill clean-up procedure.
Detailed procedures for spill procedures for beta (OHS303) and gamma (OHS 302)
emitters are provided in Appendix F and are available online at:
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_policies/procedures/pro_spills_radiation_beta.pdf
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_policies/procedures/pro_spills_radiation_gamma.pdf
(i) Containment
1. Notify all persons in the room. Instruct them to move to an alternate area in the
room until surveyed for contamination.
2. Remove gloves, place absorbent pad over spill area. Call supervisor/Radiation
Safety Supervisor/Radiation Health and Safety Coordinator, if advice/help is
required.
3. Post a warning sign on the door.
4. Wait for any requested help to arrive.
(ii) Monitor contamination.
1. Survey all persons for contamination. If uncontaminated, allow them to leave.
2. Survey the spill area for the extent of contamination. Record counts on a floor
plan of the area affected.
(iii) Decontamination.
1. Apply fresh gloves and shoe covers (if necessary).
2. Outline spill area with a grease pencil to contain liquid spread.
3. Kneeling on lined absorbent pad, using tongs and gauze, soak up liquid, working
from the outside to the centre. Blot with paper towels.
4. Monitor the area when no visible spilled material remains, to check progress of
decontamination.
5. Continue decontamination as necessary to reduce the levels to <2 x background.
If necessary, apply detergent, solvent or scouring powder. Treat all materials used as
contaminated waste.
6. Monitor all persons involved in the decontamination process.
7. Remove all contaminated clothing and seal into plastic bags.
8. Replenish Spill Kit.
(iv) Reporting (see Section 3.10.2)
Personal exposure
Persons who may have had an accidental intake of radioactive material should be
referred to the Radiation Health and Safety Coordinator as soon as possible for
consideration of bioassay monitoring. Where necessary, they should also be referred to a
medically qualified person with knowledge to reduce the effect of, or assist elimination
of, internal radioactive contamination.
In the specific instance of suspected inhalation of 125I or 133I, a course of iodine tablets is
available from the Radiation Safety Supervisor. This course should be commenced
immediately, and then further medical advice and monitoring sought.
Depending on the area of the body contaminated, the following procedures may be
considered.
1. Wash hands with soap and water, scrubbing lightly with a soft nail brush. If
necessary, repeat using detergent.
2. If the above does not remove contamination from the hands, wear cotton gloves
covered by tight-fitting rubber gloves for several hours to allow perspiration to
assist removal of contamination.
3. Rub skin other than hands with a cotton wool pad soaked in complexing agent
(e.g. Cetavlon).
4. Wash out mouth several times with a hydrogen peroxide solution (1 tablespoon of
10 volume solution in a tumbler (~300ml) of water.
5. Irrigate eyes with saline solution (1 percent common salt solution).
Continue personal decontamination until monitoring shows that it has been reduced to
an acceptable level. DO NOT CONTINUE IF THERE IS A RISK OF CONTAMINATION
ENTERING THE BLOODSTREAM THROUGH BREAKS OR ABRASIONS IN THE SKIN
3.10.2 Incident Reporting.
Following a radioactive spill or any other incident involving radioisotopes, Forms OHS 001
(OHS Hazard, Incident, Injury and Illness Report Form) and OHS 005 (Radiation accident
report: supplementary form) should be completed and forwarded to Manager, OHS&WC
Unit, and copied to Chairperson of your Workplace OHS Committee or OHS
Representative, the Faculty/Divisional OHS Coordinator and retain a copy in your
School/Divisional Unit Incident Register
Link to OHS Website for form downloads.
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_forms_checklists/index.html
Appendices.
A. Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Induction Checklist
B. EPA Ionising Radiation Exemption Approval for Student working under Supervision.
C. OHS 695 Project/Program Approval Form
D. Isotope Record Sheet
E. Spill kit suggested contents.
F. Spill procedures for beta and gamma emitters.
Appendix A
Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Induction Checklist.
University of New South Wales.
This must be completed and returned to Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety
Supervisor, with appropriate documentation, before any purchase of or work with
radioactive isotopes in Lowy Cancer Research Centre is permitted.
Full Name:
UNSW ID No:
Department/Centre:
ARPANSA Centre number
11320
Contact Tel:
Email address:
Room number:
Date of Birth:
Gender (M/F):
ARPANSA Classification of Wearer
Occupation (See Appendix)
64?
Are you a student?: YES / NO (Circle as appropriate)
If YES, give name of your academic supervisor...................................................................
1. Have you read the UNSW Policy document 'Guidelines for the Use of Unsealed
Radioactive Sources and ' Lowy Cancer Research Centre Policy on Use of Unsealed
Radioisotopes’?
If NO, you must do so before you can proceed.
If YES, you should sign the declaration form attached at the end of this document.
2. Have you completed a Radiation Safety Training Course?
YES / NO
If NO, you must attend and complete the UNSW Radiation Safety Training course before
you can proceed. Details of dates and on-line registration are on
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/ohs_training/training_info_2011.html
If YES, attach a copy of the Certificate of Attendance to this application.
3. Do you hold a current EPA License to Use Radioactive Substances?
If NO and you are a student, go to [4].
If NO and you are a member of staff, go to [5].
If YES, provide the following information and attach a photocopy of your licence, then go
to [6].
Licence number:
Expiry date:
Conditions:
(i) S8- List types and amounts of isotopes
(ii) Other conditions (e.g. G1-supervision)
4. Students working under exemption.
As a student you are exempted from obtaining a license, provided that you hold an
Exemption Certificate, supervised by a suitably qualified and licensed supervisor. You
should discuss this with the Radiation Safety Supervisor and your academic supervisor.
Do you wish to work under an exemption certificate?
If YES, you should not commence any radioactive work until an Exemption Certificate has
been issued and signed by you, your supervisor and the Lowy Cancer Research Centre
RSS (who is licensed to grant exemptions). The signed form must be displayed on the
wall in the area where you will work with isotopes.
When this is completed, go to [6]. The RSS will contact you and your supervisor to issue
an Exemption Certificate.
If NO and you choose to obtain a personal radiation licence rather than to work under
exemption, go to [5].
YES/NO
5. Apply for an EPA Licence to Use Radioactive Substances.
Do you wish to apply for an EPA License to Use?
YES/NO
All staff who use unsealed radioactive sources must obtain the appropriate licence. The
application form is provided by the Radiation Safety Supervisor, and should be
completed and returned directly to them. You will need to provide all of the following
documents.
• Completed EPA application form.
• Copy of your Radiation Safety Training Course Certificate of Attendance.
• Copy of proof of graduation from your highest degree attained.
• A short description of the type of radiation work that you plan to undertake.
These will then be countersigned by the UNSW Radiation Health & Safety Coordinator
and submitted to EPA. The license will be mailed directly to you.
6. Do you require a radiation badge (TLD)?
YES / NO
If in doubt, consult the Radiations Safety Supervisor for advice.
If YES, provide the following information: (circle appropriate items)
Type of badge required:
Chest / Finger
Isotopes to be used:
3H, 14C, 32P, 35S, 125I,
Have you previously been monitored?
YES / NO
other (specify)
If YES: Employer details
Years in which monitored.
Cumulative dose (if known)
7. Where will you be working with isotopes?
Please list details of rooms/designated isotope working areas to be used.
Level 3 – CVR
Level 2 – Adult Cancer Program
Levels 1 and 2 - CCIA
CHECKLIST.
Please make sure that the necessary documents are attached as required:
•
Signed declaration form
•
Copy of existing current EPA License to Use
•
Copy of Radiation Safety Training Course Certificate
APPENDIX B
Classification of Wearer Occupations (ARPANSA)
61
Those using X-ray diffraction units and /or electron microscopes
62
Those working outside totally enclosed installation
63
Those working using non or partially enclosed radiation sources (other than 64)
64
Those using radioactive isotopes in tracer techniques
66
Teachers / Demonstrators
67
Students (other than post-graduate research included in above classifications)
68
Radiation safety officer
Lowy Cancer Research Centre
University of New South Wales.
Declaration
I hereby certify that I have read and understood the
University of New South Wales “Ionising Radiation Procedure (2010)” and the
“Procedure for Use of Radioactive Sources in Lowy Cancer Research Centre Cancer
Research Centre.”
and that I will comply with these procedures .
Name:
_____________________________________________________________________
Signature:
_____________________________________________________________________
Research Group/Location:
_________________________________________________________
Date:
_____________________________________________________________________
All staff and students intending to use radioactive substances must complete this form
and return it to The Lowy Cancer Research Centre Radiation Safety Supervisor.
EPA IONISING RADIATION EXEMPTION APPROVAL FOR STUDENT WORKING UNDER
SUPERVISION
[Notice of exemption must be displayed in the relevant laboratory and a copy
retained by the student]
Student Name
Supervisor Name
Supervisor Radiation Licence No.
Location of work
Isotope(s) to be used.
(and approx. amount per procedure)
Details of the work involving isotopes.
(indicate ID and location of SOPs and
Risk Assessements for these
protocols).
Conditions of work
1. The supervisor's licence must be current and valid for
supervision and for the above isotopes.
2. The student must attend the RMU 'Radiation Protection
Training Course' before starting work with isotopes.
3. The student must be instructed in the following procedures
in the laboratory
• location of isotope safety sheets, spill kit.
• procedures for isotope containment and disposal.
• procedures for spills and surface monitoring.
• logging of isotope use, disposal and monitoring.
4. The student must be issued with and wear a TLD (where
appropriate).
Student signature
.......................................................... Date................
Supervisor signature
.......................................................... Date................
Lowy Cancer Research Centre
Radiation Safety Supervisor signature
.......................................................... Date................
HS695
I
1
PROJECT/PROGRAM APPROVAL FORM
Date:
/
/
Name of Chief Investigator/Licensee:
Position:
School:
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
Radiation Licence No:
Type:
Expiry Date:
Signature:
Location where the work is being conducted:
Tick appropriate boxes
New Project
Research renewal with change
Research renewal without change
The following documents MUST be attached, please tick boxes:
Risk Assessment
Safe Work Procedure
Emergency Procedures
Waste procedures
PROJECT/PROGRAM COLLABORATORS
Name
Affiliation
Licence Number
(Not here if exempted)
Expiry Date
Project Title/Field:
Description of Radiation Use:
Unsealed Radiation Source Details
Radionuclide
Physical
Form
Chemical
Form
Maximum
Activity
Activity per
Experiment
Experience with radioisotope …… years
Storage Details:
Sealed Source/Radiation Apparatus Details
Source Type/ Activity
Apparatus – Make/Model/Serial No.
Risk Analysis
Identified Hazards
External beta
Control Measures
kV/mA
Purpose
External X/gamma
Internal
Environmental Contamination
Other
Emergency Procedures:
Monitoring
Personal
Area
Contamination
Using the UNSW Risk Rating System, rate the minimum risk according to your risk assessment with controls in
place:
Extreme
High
Details of Staff Training:
Details of Student Involvement:
Medium
Low
Waste Disposal Procedures:
Radiation Safety Supervisor’s (RSS) Name:
Signed:
Dated:
Radiation Safety Committee’s Comments:
Signed:
Dated:
Office use only.
RSC identifier
ISOTOPE RECORD SHEET
Description
(Isotope/chemical form):
Product code:
Activity and Volume
Batch No.
Owner:
Date received:
Reference Date:
Storage location:
EPA Licence No.:
Record of Use.
USER
DATE
QTY USED
QTY LEFT
SOLID
WASTE
LIQUID WASTE
Spill Kit.
Prepare at least one Spill Kit for each area where radioactive work is carried out.
Suggested contents:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Radioactive warning signs and tape
Disposable gloves
Disposable overshoes
Small and large plastic bags
Masking tape
Grease pencil
Forceps/Tongs
Gauze sponges
Decontamination detergent
Commercial scouring powder
Identification tags
Filter paper wipes
Scissors
Disposable lined absorbent pads
Floor plan
Include personal decontamination items as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
Sponge
Nail brush
Bar soap
Box tissues
Paper towels