Protocol for the Decommissioning of Laboratories
used for Unsealed Radioactive Work
This protocol is intended for laboratories in which radioactive work will
definitely cease.
1. Procedure

All radioactive material and waste must be removed from the
department via an appropriate route.

The usage and disposal records must be completed on Isostock to
show that all radioactive material and waste has been removed,
when and by what disposal route e.g. to drain/transfer to White Rose.

All containers used for the keeping of radioactive material or waste
must be removed from the department or checked to ensure that
they are clean and free from any contamination. All markings relating
to their radioactive contents must be removed or made illegible.

Comprehensive contamination monitoring must be carried out using
a suitable monitor and the results recorded. This must take place for
all isotopes used in the area – check Isostock for compounds used
in the past. Indirect monitoring – sample with a wipe and measure
the activity on the wipe (contact Andy Reed Biomedical Science)

All loose surface contamination must be removed using conventional
laboratory decontamination methods until no significant reading can
be detected; this shows that no readily removable contamination is
left. Where direct monitoring is not appropriate, e.g. tritium, all
monitoring should be carried out by wipe tests.

Consideration needs to be given to contamination inside drain pipe
work at the points of disposal. Sinks which could have been used for
disposal of radioactivity should have the sink trap dismantled and
checked by monitoring and if necessary, wipes. If this shows
contamination fixed onto the pipes, there might be a need to look for
contamination further downstream. If this is the case, contact
Radiation Protection.

It will be necessary to check for contamination in the extract of any
fume hoods used. This should be down by checking as close as
possible to the point where the ductwork leaves the top of the fume
cupboard. If there is a filter present, the surface behind (downstream
of) the filter should be checked. If there is contamination present,
contact Radiation Protection.

If after the decontamination process there remains any fixed
contamination, contact Radiation Protection.

After the removal of radioactive materials and isotopes any required
decontamination all radiation warning signs should be removed from
doors, cupboards, fridges and sinks etc. Radiation warning signs
should be made unrecognisable before disposing with normal refuse.

Radiation Protection should then be contacted after which a final
survey will take place to ensure that the lab can be confirmed as
decommissioned.

If work in the laboratory/area is ceasing and the whole premises is to
be vacated, then it will be necessary to inform the enforcement
authorities. This will be done by Radiation Protection.
2. Records
The following records to the area must be kept for a period of five years after
the date of cessation of radioactive work in the laboratory/area:

usage and disposal records

summary disposal records

routine monitoring records

determination/s of the relative fractions of activity disposed by each
route

decommissioning monitoring records

final decommissioning report (issued by Radiation Protection)
University of Bradford
Health and Safety Services
Decommissioning of laboratories used for unsealed radioactive work
Identification of Laboratory……………………………………………………………
Date of Decommissioning……………………………………………………………..
Name of Radiation Protection Supervisor completing checklist………………………
Signature………………………………..Department………………..Date…………...
All radioactive material and waste removed?
Usage and disposal records completed to show that all radioactive material
and waste has been removed, when and by what route?
All containers removed or markings removed/made illegible?
Contamination monitoring carried out and results recorded?
All loose surface contamination removed?
- if any remains contact Radiation Protection
Extract from fume cupboards and drain pipes checked?
- if any remains contact Radiation Protection
All radiation notices removed from doors, cupboards, fridges, sinks etc?
Radiation Protection contacted for final survey?
All records up-to-date?
- usages and disposal records
- summary disposal records
- routine monitoring records
- determinations of relative fractions of activity disposed
to each route
- decommissioning monitoring records
- this check list
- final decommissioning report (Radiation Protection)