Click on the graphic above to go directly to a legible version of the NYSDOH's "Notice to Employees."
| Government Regulations and The Radiation Safety Program |
This module provides information about the following topics:
The University of Rochester is licensed by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to possess and use many different radioisotopes.
The NRC Regulations are contained in Title 10 of the Federal Code of Regulations. NYSDOH regulations are contained in the State Sanitary Code Title 10, Chapter 1, Part 16, Ionizing Radiation (10NYCRR16). Copies of the relevant regulations are available from the RSU and from the NRC Web site.
A "Notice to Employees" is posted in common places where employees frequently
pass. The Notice provides information about how to contact the NYSDOH and describes workers' rights and responsibilities.
Click on the graphic above to go directly to a legible version of the NYSDOH's "Notice to Employees."
The University currently is licensed to possess and
use radioactive materials from the NYSDOH.
This license is issued by the NYSDOH and specifies the quantities, locations, and conditions under which radioisotopes may be used at the University. They require the University to establish policies and procedures to ensure the accountability and safe use of radioactive materials.
Copies of these licenses are available, for review, from the RSU.
Regulatory Agency Inspections
The NYSDOH conducts periodic unannounced inspections of the use of radioactive materials at the University. If violations of the regulations or radiation safety program deficiencies are discovered, Notices of Violations may be issued against the University, and fines and other sanctions can be imposed.
Internal Audits
The University of Rochester's Radiation Safety Committee conducts an annual audit of the radiation safety program, which includes a review of the program and visits to selected laboratories.
The RSU conducts quarterly inspections and audits of all laboratories using radioactive materials.
Surveys
State law requires that all laboratories in which radioactive materials are used be surveyed and documented on survey map weekly when radioactivity is in use. In addition, University of Rochester policies require performing a radiological survey of your work area after every use of radioactive materials. If no isotopes are used in a particular week, no survey needs to be performed. However, a blank survey map should be placed into the lab’s radiation safety binder with the words “No isotope use” written on the map with the appropriate dates indicated. Otherwise, a survey must be performed and documented.
Radiation Safety Manual -for a list of major and minor violations -PAGE 17 in the manual
Radiation Safety Training Manual
For more information on performing surveys -see page 41 in the training manual.
To meet the requirements of the NRC and NYSDOH and to provide a safe working environment, the University has established a radiation safety program with four key components:
The Radiation Safety Committee, which consists of faculty members, RSU staff, and management representatives, meets several times a year. The Committee:
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The day-to-day operation of the radiation safety program is managed within the Radiation Safety Office (RSU) by the University’s Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The RSO and the Radiation Safety staff advise Authorized Permit Holders and radiation workers on radiation safety and regulatory compliance issues and provide the following services:
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to the RSU Web page
Radiation Safety Training Manual
Permit Holders are faculty or senior staff members who have been approved by the Radiation Safety Committee to use radioactive materials under specific conditions. A permit holder is granted approval to possess and use specific isotopes only for the uses described in the authorization application and is issued a possession limit for each of those isotopes.
Any person using radioactive materials at the Univerity is either an permit holder or is a radiation worker using radioactive materials under an permit holder's supervision.
Each Permit holder is responsible for:
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A radiation worker is anyone who uses radioactive materials or radiation-producing machines. The radiation worker’s thorough training, compliance with regulations and procedures, careful work habits and respect for the health and safety of fellow workers are an integral part of the radiation safety program.
A radiation worker’s responsibilities include the following:
You've completed the last of the four Basic training modules. You may go to the test or you may go to any of the previous modules:
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to the Radiation Safety Test
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to the Radiation Safety Training Introduction
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to the Radiation Properties Module (1st Module)