Management of Radiation Safety at Flinders University

Executive Summary

1 INTRODUCTION

The use of ionizing radiation at the University is widespread: excluding University staff and students working in the FMC there are about 30 registered radiation workers supervised by about 15 licence holders, working in some 10 individual laboratories. The University also has a number of registered radiation sources and X-ray generators.

2 THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CONTROLLING RADIATION HAZARDS

The Radiation Protection and Control Act, 1982, and Regulations control the use of ionizing radiation in South Australia. NHMRC codes and Australian Standards are used as guides.

The Act imposes responsibilities on those who work with ionizing radiation and their employers, on those who own radiation apparatus and radioactive materials and who own or lease premises in which radioactive materials are used or stored.

All staff and post graduate and honours students working with ionizing radiation are classed as radiation workers.

2.1 LICENCES, REGISTRATIONS AND APPROVALS

All licences, registrations and approvals are obtained through the Radiation Protection Division (RPD), Environment Protection Authority.

2.1.1 Licences

All supervisors (defined broadly as the equivalent of principle and associate investigators) and everyone who uses sealed sources or X-ray sets are licensed after an examination by the RPD.

2.1.2 Registrations

X-ray generators and sealed sources of radioactive material, and rooms in which unsealed sources of radioactive material are used or stored are registered after inspection by RPD.

2.1.3 Radioactive Waste

The University disposes of radioactive waste in accordance with an annual plan approved by RPD.

2.2 WORKER REGISTRATION AND MONITORING

2.2.1 Worker Registration

The OH&S Unit keeps a register of all radiation workers.

2.2.2 Personal Monitoring

The University is required to monitor the radiation dose of radiation workers and has a gazetted exemption for workers with a very small chance of receiving a dose greater than one-tenth of the occupational dose limit in a year.

2.3 REPORTING AND RECORDS

The University maintains records of:

• registered workers and the dose reports from personal monitoring
• registered premises, sources and ionizing apparatus
• purchases and disposals of unsealed radioactive materials
• the movements and locations of sealed sources
• monitoring of the dose from X-ray machines
• the disposal of radioactive waste under the approved plan
• the licences of staff and students

2.4 AUDITS

Audits and compliance checks are conducted by the University Radiation Safety Officer and the RPD.

2.5 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING RADIATION

Abnormal events involving radiation are classed as incidents (less serious) and accidents (major) and after investigation are reported to RPD.

2.6 TRAINING

New radiation workers undertake a training session in radiation protection provided by the University Radiation Safety Officer.

3 POLICY

Flinders University is committed to meeting, and as far as possible to exceeding, protection standards for ionizing radiation set by legislation. Where appropriate, relevant Australian Standards are used as guides.

In work with ionizing radiation the ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable, economic and other factors being taken into account) dose minimisation principle is used to ensure that exposures to workers, the public and the environment are minimised.

The goals are met by a combination of training, physical and engineering control measures, supervision and recording under the supervision of the OH&S Unit, the University Radiation Safety Officer, and the Area Radiation Safety Officers.

4 RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor has the ultimate responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 1986, the SA Radiation Protection and Control Act and associated Regulations.

4.2 Manager, Human Resources

Ensures that the Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Unit coordinates radiation safety management at the University.

4.3 Head, Occupational Health and Safety Unit

Ensures that Radiation registration and licensing requirements are met, including the maintenance of the records of registered radiation workers, of their exposure to ionizing radiation, and of radiation incidents and accidents.

4.4 University Radiation Safety Officer

Reports to the Head of the OH&S Unit and performs the duties required of the University Radiation Safety Officer by SA regulations. These duties in general are similar to those set out for a Radiation Protection Adviser in Australian Standard 2243.4 of 1998.

4.5 Executive Deans

The Executive Dean has overall responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of staff, students and visitors in the Faculty. The Executive Dean oversees the implementation of the University’s Radiation Policy and procedures and allocates resources to ensure that the legislative requirements and University standards can be achieved.

4.6 Heads of School

The Head of each School has specific delegated responsibility for ensuring that the University standards are achieved in the area. For Schools in which people work with ionizing radiation the Head of School nominates the Area Radiation Safety Officers.

4.7 Area Radiation Safety Officers

Area RSOs ensure that radiation work in their School is carried out safely. They are informed prior to commencement of any new work or altered procedures involving radioactive materials or irradiating apparatus. They are notified of any radiation accidents and direct decontamination procedures in the event of a major spill. They have a responsibility for the management of radioactive waste in their area.

4.8 Supervisors

Must ensure

• that those under their supervision receive appropriate training in radiation protection
• that they have completed a Radiation Worker Registration form and hold the appropriate current radiation licence.

that they are using appropriate work practices

4.9 Staff and Students

Everyone using ionizing radiation has an obligation to ensure that their work does not affect their own safety and that they do not expose other staff, students or the public, to radiation. They must:

• Strictly observe guidelines for exposure limits to radiation
• Ensure that they understand the chemical and physical properties and biological effects of the radiation or radioactive materials being used
• Reduce to a minimum the radiation hazard of the work
• Have a knowledge of appropriate accident and emergency procedures
• Understand the relevant regulations, codes of practice and local instructions.

4.10 Undergraduate Students

The University is exempted from the obligation to register as radiation workers undergraduate students working with ionising radiation in laboratory classes but special care must be taken when undergraduates use ionising radiation.

The general requirements for registration and licencing apply to laboratories and ionizing radiation sources used by undergraduates.

All work by undergraduates with ionising radiation must be under the supervision of a licensed demonstrator.

The quantities of radioactive materials used should be kept to a minimum and specific instruction on handling radioactive materials must be provided.

Undergraduates must not use X-ray analysis units unless these are fully enclosed X-ray units and any undergraduate operations are under continuous supervision.

5 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

5.1 HUMAN RESEARCH

The exposure of human subjects to ionizing radiation for the purposes of research is strictly controlled. Explicit permission must be received from the RPD and DHS for every research project involving the irradiation of humans.

5.2 ENTRY TO REGISTERED PREMISES BY NON-RADIATION WORKERS

All people who are not radiation workers, including staff, students and outside contractors, must obtain permission from the licensed supervisor of a registered radiation area before entry.

Such persons are considered by Regulation 14 (4) of the SA Radiation Protection and Control Act to be “members of the public”.

Gerald Laurence
University Radiation Safety Officer
December 2004