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The Radiation Safety Office of the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Program at the Frederick National Laboratory (FNL) administers a comprehensive radiation safety program that satisfies the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as well as FNL operational requirements. Although compliance issues command a great deal of emphasis, the basic philosophy of the FNL is to provide a safe working environment for all individuals using radioactive materials and/or radiation producing machines. The Radiation Safety Office provides training courses dealing with health physics as well as site-specific radiation safety issues. In addition, our bioassay program, exposure monitoring program, laboratory survey effort, and inventory control procedures are all designed and executed to ensure that our commitments to individual safety are met. Radiation Safety Officer Mr. J.T. Moore at x1902 moorejerry@mail.nih.gov Radiation Safety Staff: ncifredrso@mail.nih.gov Radiation Safety Office ext. 5730 Angie Mann mannad@mail.nih.gov Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions1. How do I get my own Radiation Program? Applying for a New FNL Radiation Program The FNL Radiation Safety Committee reviews and approves all Applications for FNL Radiation Programs. Steps to Take: FNL Radioisotope Program Application must be completed. * Make sure you attach copies of all Radiation Protocols to the Application. A FNL Radioisotope Training and Experience Form must be completed for each proposed Radiation Worker (including the proposed Radiation Program PI) wishing to manipulate Radioactive Material at the FNL. Each proposed Radiation Worker (including the PI) must complete FNL Radiation Safety Training For New Users (a self-paced computer-based training program)* The FNL Radiation Safety Office will verify completion via online tracking. The Application Package (consisting of the Application, Protocols and all Training and Experience Forms) is to be forwarded to the FNL Radiation Safety Office. Once reviewed, the Package will be sent to the FNL Radiation Safety Committee for final review and approval. All proposed radiation workers must submit baseline bioassays (urine and/or thyroid) to the Radiation Safety Office. -THE APPROVAL PROCESS CAN TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS - PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY- 2. How do I become a Radiation Worker? Read and sign the Protocol Specific Training Document (Working Safely with Radioactive Materials) for the Radiation Program. Have the Radiation Program Principal Investigator sign your Training and Experience form and forward it along with a copy of the signature sheet, from the Protocol Specific Training Document, to the Radiation Safety Office. You must also submit a baseline bioassay (urine and/or thyroid) to the Radiation Safety Office. Once approved, you will receive a Dosimeter badge (if applicable), and the program PI will receive a confirmatory memo listing any further requirements or restrictions.
3. Is there any other additional training required as a Radiation worker?
4.Who do I contact to have my radioactive waste picked up? Contact the Waste Management Office at x1384 or email nciradwaste@mail.nih.gov
5. My desk is in a radiation lab. May I eat or drink at my desk? No. Eating, drinking, or storage of food/drink items is not allowed in laboratories.
6. What do I do if I did not receive my isotope order on the day it was expected to arrive? Contact Radiation Safety. A follow up with the Purchasing Department may be necessary as well.
7. How do I get removed from a Radiation Program? Have the program PI or Radiation Area Supervisor send a memo to the Radiation Safety Office requesting that you be removed from all isotope usage under that program.
8. Why did I not get a Dosimeter badge? Persons who are approved to use only 3H are not routinely issued a Dosimeter badge.
9. Other people in my lab have a ring badge, why don’t I? Only persons approved to work with 10mCi or more of 32P, approved to perform Iodinations, or are on X-ray programs are given ring badges.
10. What do we do if we have a radiation spill? Contact the Radiation Safety Office Immediately (x1451). After hours, contact Security (x1091).
11. May I pour small amounts of radioactive material down the sink? Not even the smallest amount can be put down the drain. It is not even appropriate to clean contaminated laboratory equipment in Facility sinks.
12. Why is it so important to keep radioactive material-use labs locked? All radioactive material must be kept secure from unauthorized removal when not under constant surveillance.
13. Is it ok for me to work with isotope in someone else’s lab? Radiation workers are only allowed to manipulate radioactive materials in approved use-areas within their approved Radiation Program.
FNL Radiation DocumentsFNL Radioisotope Program Application FNL Radioisotope Training and Experience Form FNL Electron Microscope Program Application FNL Electron Microscope Users Application Form FNL Irradiator Users Application Form FNL X-Ray Program Users Application Form Radiation Area Supervisor Guidelines Survey Meter/Geiger Counter Procurement Notification Dosimeter Reports General Information Radiation Calculators and ConversionsDecay/Activity Calculators http://www.radprocalculator.com/ Unit Converter http://www.drs.illinois.edu/rss/toolscalcs/unitconv.aspx Other LinksNuclear Regulatory Commission http://www.nrc.gov/ American Academy of Health Physics http://www.hps1.org/aahp The Health Physics Society http://www.hps.org |