Radiation Spill and Incident Procedures
Who to Notify
Incident
In the event of a fire, explosion or serious injury:
What to Do
When a Spill Occurs or Contamination is Found
For Skin or Body Contamination
A Serious Injury with Radioactive Contamination
Possible Overexposure to Sources of Radiation
An accident may happen to even the most careful of workers, and any worker may be called
upon to assist in the case of a spill, a contamination incident, or an emergency. Be prepared
and know how to respond before an incident happens.
The following procedures provide an overview of who to notify and how to respond to
several different types of incidents. Emergency Response Guidelines books which list
incident contact phone numbers and procedures are posted near a telephone in every lab.
Who To Notify
Incident
An incident can be readily handled with laboratory or other University resources and may
include a spill of radioactive materials, an incident of personal contamination or a possible
exposure to an x-ray source.
During normal working hours, call Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) at
1911, or Outside normal working hours, call Public Safety at 1911.
In the event of a fire, explosion or serious injury:
First, call Public Safety at 1911 anytime.
Second, during normal working hours, call EHS at 1911.
Third, contact any Laboratory or Departmental Emergency in the laboratory.
What to Do
When a Spill Occurs or Contamination is Found
Refer to flowchart that explains how to respond in the event that a spill occurs in the lab, in
the event that widespread contamination is found, and
how to perform decontamination.
For Skin and Body Contamination
1. Notify EHS immediately whenever any case of skin or body contamination
occurs.
2. Note the original survey meter reading, the location of the contaminated area
and the time of the contamination was discovered. EHS will use this
information to calculate dose.
3. Wash skin using mild soap and warm water for 2-3 minutes. Do not abrade
skin or use hot water.
4. Measure and record the count rate after the initial attempt at
decontamination. Survey and repeat decontamination until the count rate
cannot be reduced any further.
5. If the skin becomes irritated, discontinue decontamination.
6. When decontamination efforts are not immediately successful, often a
substantial reduction in count rate is achieved during the next 24 hours with
periodic washings with soap and water, combined with normal flaking of the
skin.
A Serious Injury with Radioactive Contamination
Serious injury and life-or-death situations always take priority over radiological concerns. In
all cases of physical injury, even minor injuries, medical attention and hospitalization take
precedence over contamination concerns. There are no radiation sources at the University
that produce contamination and radiation exposure risks large enough to prevent first aid
from being given.
1. Follow the Fire, Explosion & Serious Injury notification procedure. Public
Safety responders are trained to provide first aid.
2. If possible, have someone meet emergency response personnel and escort
them to the accident scene.
3. Remove contaminated items and clothing from the victim only if these actions
will cause no further harm.
4. If time permits, attempt to provide an uncontaminated pathway for the
emergency crew.
5. Have someone who can provide useful additional information accompany the
victim to the emergency room.
Possible Overexposure to Sources of Radiation
The most likely scenario for a serious overexposure to radiation involves exposure to the
primary beam of an x-ray diffractometer or to a high activity sealed source. In any case,
notify EHS, who will provide additional instructions, based on the exposure conditions.