Radiation Safety Committee
File Reference: 2006/2525
Telfer Building K07
Telephone +61 2 9351 7722
Facsimile +61 2 9351 5868
Mobile 0402 463 978
23 March 2006
email howarda@usyd.edu.au
INFORMATION SHEET
No. 3
LOCAL RADIATION SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of each Head of School, Department or Discipline to ensure that
EPA regulatory requirements are complied with and that University Radiation Safety
Policy and Procedures are followed by all users of radiation sources under their
jurisdiction.
Each Head of School, Department or Discipline has the authority to decide how tasks
are allocated. The duties may be split between several staff members such as the
Local RSO, Laboratory Manager, or the Research Project Supervisor, depending
upon local situations.
The following tasks are those that are either required under NSW Radiation Control
Regulations or by the University Policy & Procedures.
1. EPA Licence & Registration

Ensure that all staff working with sources of radiation are appropriately
licensed. For example, a licence to use X-ray equipment does not entitle a
person to use radioactive material.

Ensure that all radiation laboratories are registered with the EPA.

Inform the University Radiation Safety Officer of all matters concerning EPA
radiation regulatory compliance.

Record and report accidents or incidents to the University Occupational Health
Safety and Injury Management unit.

Undertake an annual stock take of radioactive sources kept or used on the
premises. This includes the long term storage of waste material.

Comply with reporting requirements of the EPA conditions of registration in
consultation with the University Radiation Safety Officer.
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Page 1 of 3
Radiation Safety Committee
File Reference: 2006/2525
Telfer Building K07
Telephone +61 2 9351 7722
Facsimile +61 2 9351 5868
Mobile 0402 463 978
23 March 2006
email howarda@usyd.edu.au
2. Radiation Safety

Ensure that a risk assessment is conducted on all proposed work with
radioactive material or irradiating apparatus prior to its commencement. This
only applies to new work with existing sources. Projects involving new sources
will need to be assessed by the University RSO and RSC.

Provide advice on safe working practices.

Prepare standard operating procedures for tasks involving the use of radiation.

Inspect areas and installations where ionizing radiation is used, or proposed to
be used, and report to the RSC any anomalies likely to impact on the safe
handling or use of ionizing radiation to the Radiation Safety Committee.
3. Monitoring

Provide suitable personal monitoring devices to radiation users.

Survey radiation work areas, equipment and operations as part of the risk
assessment process.
4. Purchasing
Requisitions for purchasing radioactive materials or radiation apparatus should
be authorised by the Local Radiation Safety Officer before an order is placed.
The Local Radiation Safety Officer should check that the licence of the
responsible person is appropriate for the items being ordered. For example a
licence to use irradiating apparatus does not entitle the licensee to use
radioactive material.
Records of all purchase receipts shall be kept by the laboratory manager or the
Local Radiation Safety Officer.
5. Storage and Disposal
Arrange for the safe storage of radioactive materials and for the safe disposal of
any radioactive waste in accordance with University procedures.
106734784
Page 2 of 3
Radiation Safety Committee
File Reference: 2006/2525
Telfer Building K07
Telephone +61 2 9351 7722
Facsimile +61 2 9351 5868
Mobile 0402 463 978
23 March 2006
email howarda@usyd.edu.au
6. Emergency planning

Prepare local rules for the handling of foreseeable accidents and emergencies.

Ensure that emergency kits are available for controlling radiation emergency
situations.
7. Records

Ensure that records of the following items are maintained:



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
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Register of Radioactive Sources
Register of Irradiating Apparatus
Personal Dosimetry Records
Records of Incidents/Accidents
Records of Staff Training
Records of Area Surveys
Instrument Calibration Records
Note: Clause 31 of the Radiation Control Regulations require that personal dose
records are not destroyed or disposed of without consent of the Director General of
the Department of Environment and Conservation. Personal dose records may be
disposed with the consent of the Director General, but only after an employee has
ceased employment with the University for a period of 5 years.
8. General
It is the primary responsibility of the Local Radiation Safety Officer to be the liaison
officer between users of radiation in their areas and the University Radiation Safety
Officer and the Radiation Safety Committee.
It is recommended that the Local Radiation Safety Officer be responsible for the
following key tasks:

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

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Allocation and collection of personal radiation monitors.
Assisting with radiation licensing issues.
Identifying local radiation risk areas.
Monitoring radioactive waste disposal.
Authorising the purchases of radioactive materials or radiation apparatus
before an order is placed.
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