The OSU Radiation Safety Program requires that each possession or use of radioisotopes or radiation machines, no matter how little or how much the risk, must be in accordance with written authorization and must comply with all applicable federal, state and university regulations. The Program Director will have a copy of university regulations (in the Radiation Safety Manual) and the Radiation Use Authorization. Copies of pertinent federal and state regulations, plus university regulations and copy of the Authorization, are kept in the Radiation Safety Office.

The radiation safety program depends upon the cooperation, understanding and actions of several groups. The President has formal responsibility for radiation safety, as he has for all activities at OSU. He has delegated radiation safety responsibility to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, who establishes and implements radiation safety policies and oversees the program. The Vice President is guided by the Radiation Safety Committee, appointed by him, which recommends policies, establishes regulations needed to implement policies, reviews each proposed radiation use and issues authorizations to those found acceptable, reviews activities of the Radiation Safety Office, etc. The Radiation Safety Office, headed by the University Radiation Safety Officer, administers programs for radioactive waste management, personnel dosimetry, lab inspections, radiation safety training, and inventory maintenance. It also reviews proposed uses, maintains required records, investigates abnormal situations, etc. The Program Director for each radiation use is responsible for insuring that all activities of the using group comply with provisions of the radiation use authorization and all other applicable regulations. Individuals involved with radiation use are responsible for understanding the hazards involved and for complying with the procedures and regulations applying to their activities.

4.1 Personnel procedures

Each individual who works with radioisotopes or radiation machines or who frequents such places where these items are used must complete some form or radiation safety orientation, per state regulations. In addition, each individual working with radioisotopes or radiation machines must have a completed personnel card on file, must be listed on the pertinent radiation use authorizations, must have any personnel dosimeters and bioassays required by the pertinent radiation use authorizations, etc.

Each individual who stops work with radioisotopes or radiation machines is responsible for notifying the Radiation Safety Office well in advance of the last working day so that any future dosimeters can be cancelled, any bioassays or other records can be arranged, and a dose estimate can be prepared, as required by Oregon regulations (OAR 333-111-015), etc.

4.2 Personnel Exposure Records

Each individual working with radiation where dosimeters are required has a right to be advised annually of the recorded exposure to radiation as provided in Oregon regulations. The Radiation Safety Office will provide a written summary each year of any individual radiation worker upon request, and will review with the individual his exposure records upon any additional reasonable request. Any individual leaving OSU may obtain upon request, a written estimate of radiation exposure for the current Calendar Quarter if the request is reasonably in advance of leaving. Any individual may have a report of radiation exposure at OSU sent to a subsequent employer via signed request sent to the Radiation Safety Office.

4.3 Use Authorization

Authorization for a Program Director to use radioisotopes or radiation machines is obtained by written request to the Radiation Safety Committee via the Radiation Safety Office. That office will prepare a safety review, recommendations, and a proposed authorization. The Committee, via its procedures, will review the material and authorize the use, refuse to authorize the use, or require changes before authorization. If authorized, the Radiation Safety Office will then obtain all needed signatures on the form and distribute copies of the authorization. Amendments to existing authorizations are obtained via the same procedure. The authorization specifies all locations, personnel, radioisotopes or machines, and activities covered.

4.4 Radioisotope - Radiation Machine Acquisition

Each acquisition of a radioisotope or radiation machine must have an approval number issued by the Radiation Safety Office, no matter what the mode of acquisition (purchase, gift, loan, etc.). The approval number signifies verification that the proposed acquisition is in accordance with authorization provisions. If acquisition is by normal purchase, then two copies of the procurement form (RSC-101) must accompany the purchase requisition sent to Purchasing. That group will keep one copy and forward the second to the Radiation Safety Office. If acquisition is via other means, contact the Radiation Safety Office to determine the best procedure.

4.5 Disposal of Radioactive Waste

OSU regulations forbid individuals from disposing of radioactive wastes via sewers or exhaust hoods. All wastes must be put into approved waste containers and disposed of by Radiation Safety Office personnel in order to ensure no violations of waste regulations pertaining to the University. Unless specified otherwise on the radiation use authorization, all waste liquids plus the first rinse from lab equipment used with radioisotopes must be disposed of as radioactive. Subsequent rinses may be put down drains. LSC vials may be emptied, rinsed, then disposed of as non-radioactive waste or they may be disposed of unopened, with fluid inside, into approved containers. Container pickups are obtained by phone request to the Radiation Safety Office. 

There is no charge for routine lab waste that is properly segregated and packaged. Waste that is improperly packaged or segregated will be charged to cover the additional cost for disposal. Also, the disposal costs for non-routine lab waste including mixed waste (combined hazardous/radioactive waste), sealed sources and similar items will be billed to the generator.

4.6 Routine Surveys

State regulations require each radiation workplace be inspected - surveyed routinely and records kept. The Radiation Safety Office performs routine inspections, approximately semi-annually. Each using group must inspect, and document results, on an appropriate frequency. Inspection involves instrument survey, and for unsealed radioisotopes, contamination swipe survey.

4.7 Posting, Labeling, Marking

A major facet of the radiation safety program is maintaining proper posting of use areas, and labeling and marking of items containing radioisotopes, items and areas contaminated, machines, etc. Posting, labeling and marking must be adequate to ensure that any individual in the work area can easily tell what items are contaminated, contain radioisotopes, emit radiation, etc.