The Radiation Control and Safety Program (RCSP) requires each AU to review their unsealed radioactive material (RAM) and sealed source inventories quarterly. All AUs are required to submit unsealed RAM inventories, even if they have no unsealed RAM. Unsealed RAM inventories are mailed by the first day of each calendar quarter (i.e, January 1, April l, July 1, October 1). Unsealed RAM inventories must be reviewed and submitted back to the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) by the 15^th of the month (i.e,. January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15). Sealed source inventories are mailed by the first day of the second month of each calendar quarter (i.e., February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1). Sealed source inventories must be reviewed and submitted back to the RSOf by the 15^th of the month (i.e., February 15, May 15, August 15, November 15).

Is an Authorized User required to submit a quarterly RAM inventory even if they have no RAM in their inventory?

Yes. A quarterly unsealed inventory report must be submitted by and received from each Authorized User, even if there is no RAM inventory in the laboratory. Unsealed inventory due dates are January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.

What paperwork is required to change the backup authorized user (AU) on a radioactive material authorization?

Use RS Form 6 to add or remove a backup AU from an authorization (note: the Radiation Control and Safety Program (RCSP) limits the number of backup AUs per authorization to two). Complete the top section indicating an amendment to the authorization and sections 1, 10, and 11. In section 10 only list the backup AU(s) to be added on the lines provided. Note any backup AU to be deleted in the margin. In section 11, the Department/Division Chair signature must be included. Completed forms may be hand-delivered, mailed (ML 0591) or faxed (558-9905) to the Office (RSOf). Most backup AU changes are completed within two working days. Click on the following link for RS form 6.

How do I request the commissioning of a radioactive material (RAM) use room?

Complete sections 1, 5, and 11 of RS form 6 (Application for Non Human use of Radioactive Materials) and submit to the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf). Ensure section 5 only lists rooms being added and that the Department Chair signs section 11. The AU manual requires submission 30 days or more prior to the actual use of RAM in the room. If the room is needed for RAM use sooner, e-mail, call or visit the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO) Michael.Burba@uc.edu or Radiation Safety Officer )RSO) Vicki.Morris@uc.edu (558-4110) to discuss your need for an expedited commissioning. Click on the following link for a RS form 6.

What does the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) do when a request for a room commissioning is received?

Upon receipt and approval of the request, the RSOf staff will perform an evaluation of the room. If the room is currently a radioactive material (RAM) use laboratory, the evaluation will include a survey of the room for radioactive material contamination. If the room is not currently a RAM use room, regulatory notices and labels will be posted at entrances. When the evaluation is completed, RAM use may commence. After all paperwork is processed, the RSOf will mail, via campus mail, an amended authorization to the AU. Added room(s) and the room(s) approved use(s) will be listed in bold font. Click on the following link for an RS Form 6.

How long is an Authorized User required to keep records of Authorized User lab specific training?

Radiation Safety rules allow Authorized User lab specific training records to be disposed of as soon as the individual is removed as a radiation worker under the Authorized User's authorization; however, since these records may be considered personnel "training records" the RSOf recommends checking with departmental management to determine if the record must be maintained longer under another rule.

Is the Authorized User required to post the inspection results of the last audit and does this change if there were no non-compliances during the audit?

No. Authorized Users must assure and document that all radiation workers under the authorization were informed of any non-compliances or area of concern observed under their authorization. This may be accomplished by posting the results, distributing the results through applicable or discussing at a meeting. If the audit report indicated no indications of deficiencies the report need not be posted.

Should a copy of the lab-specific training form be sent to the RSOf?

Yes. The distribution list for the generic lab-specific training form DOCUMENTATION OF AU LAB SPECIFIC RADIATION WORKER TRAINING/INTERVIEW (RS FORM 2.1) is: Original retained by the AU and copies to the radiation worker and the RSOf. The same distribution list should be followed even if the AU uses a different form of documentation for lab-specific training. During RSOf audits, the Radiation Safety Specialist reviews the AU's training records to ensure lab-specific training is documented for each radiation worker under the authorization. If a particular individual's record is missing, no non-compliance is issued if a copy is available in the RSOf.

When do dosimeters have to be picked up and when must they be returned? 

Except for AUs at GRI, dosimeters are to be picked up from the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) at the East Campus (Radiation Safety Laboratory) during the first 3 working days of the month. Used dosimeters must be returned to the RSOf (East Campus office or GRI C011 office) by the 10^th day of the month after the month of use (i.e., used July dosimeters due back by August 10^th). For AUs at GRI, the dosimeters will be brought to GRI during the first 2 working days of the month and can be picked up between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM in the RSOf at GRI (GRI C011). Outside the first two working days of the month, the dosimeters for GRI AUs are available for pick up from the RSOf on the East Campus.

May I lick my fingers while turning book pages in a radioactive material (RAM) use approved room?

Licking your fingers in an area where hazardous material, such as RAM, may be present is considered an unsafe act similar to eating. It is an unsafe act because it could result in a hazardous substance entering the body.

May I take food/drink through a radioactive material (RAM) use room to get to a non-RAM room?

You may transport food and/or drink through a RAM use laboratory as long as the food and/or drink is in a closed container to prevent contamination during transport. During transportation you should not stop.

Is facial lotion application allowed in a RAM use room?

Applying facial lotion is considered application of cosmetics which is prohibited in a RAM use approved room. If the lotion or your hands are contaminated, the contamination could be spread to the skin of your face or worse, become internalized through the mouth, nose, or eyes.

Should I notify the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) when I spill RAM onto absorbent paper located within RAM work area on the bench top?

You must notify the RSOf of a spill in any RAM work area if you were using > 100 uCi of activity at the time of the spill or if any of the RAM is spread outside the work area.

If an individual washes contamination off their hands, should the liquid be collected as radioactive waste or be disposed of directly into the sink drain?

The liquid may be disposed of directly into the sink drain. The most important issue is to remove the contamination quickly. The amount of activity involved should be very small. The RSOf practices ALARA in all areas, including sewer disposal, which means normal sewer disposal amounts are well below regulatory limits. The small amount of activity from a skin contamination incident would not have a significant impact.

May an individual wear shorts and open toed shoes in a RAM use laboratory if they are not actually handling RAM?

Yes. Individuals who are not acutally working with RAM may be present in a RAM use laboratory without wearing proper protection to prevent skin contamination. The program requirement for working with RAM is to wear at least a lab coat and gloves. The function of PPE is to prevent skin and internal contamination of the individual wearing the PPE. The minimum requirement assumes the individual is also wearing shoes that cover the feet and appropriate clothing that covers the skin of the legs. Section 9 of the AU Manual goes into detail concerning the use of PPE and should be reviewed occasionally.

Should hair be fashioned to prevent it from falling into a RAM work area?

Yes. Individuals with long hair probably like the long hair and would not want to have it cut to remove contamination.

Why must my radioactive waste be ready for pickup before I submit the request?

The Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) policy is to pickup radioactive waste within two working days of submission of a waste pickup request. Depending on the location and number of waste pickup requests received, a waste pickup could occur very quickly after the request is made (e.g., within an hour,) but always will occur within two working days after the request is made.

Is it acceptable to conduct a monthly wipe survey on the 1st day of one month and the last day of the following month?

Monthly wipe surveys shall be conducted monthly which means a survey must be conducted about the same time each month. It is not acceptable for monthly surveys to be conducted on the 1st day of one month and the last day of the following month. The RSOf strongly recommends that AUs and/or their staff members conduct monthly surveys with intervals of approximately 30 days and no more than 45 days between surveys.

Does all equipment in a RAM use laboratory have to be surveyed by the RSOf prior to release from the laboratory for non-RAM use?

No. Equipment labeled as being radioactive should always be surveyed by the RSOf prior to being released. Unlabeled equipment that is thought to have never been used for RAM work would not require a release survey by the RSOf; however, if there is any doubt about a piece of equipment, the RSOf should be called to perform a release survey.

Is a survey of the work area required prior to using RAM?

No. However, it is recommended that a pre-work survey be performed to ensure there is no contamination present that could confuse the situation later when a survey is performed during or at the end of the experiment. If there is more than one radiation worker using the area, it is strongly recommended a pre-work survey be performed to ensure the last person using the area performed an adequate end of work survey.

What training must I complete before handling radioactive materials?

Before handling radioactive material under the University of Cincinnati Radiation Control and Safety Program (RCSP) individuals must complete site specific training provided by the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf). Also, the individual must complete lab-specific training provided by the authorized user(s).

Site-specific training provided by the RSOf consists of two courses called “Basic” and “Advanced”. Experienced users of radioactive material may attempt to pass out of the “Basic” course by taking the “Challenge Test". After completing or passing out of the “Basic” course, all individuals must attend the “Advanced” course. The “Advanced” course covers policies and procedures under the RCSP. A schedule of courses is available on the RSOf website at www.uc.edu/radsafety.

What training do I need before I may begin to use an x-ray machine?

Prior to operating an x-ray machine or other radiation generating equipment (RGE), an individual must complete radiation safety training to at least the awareness level, along with area-specific and machine-specific training. The 9.5 minute awareness level (ancillary worker) training video may be viewed to meet the awareness level training. The video is available for viewing in the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) upon request. Area-specific and machine-specific training is obtained through the contact person for the x-ray machine. The RSOf is available to provide assistance in determining the applicable contact person. (You may want to also review the question regarding training for fluoroscopic x-ray equipment.)

What special training is required before working with a fluoroscopic x-ray unit?

Like all radiation generating equipment an individual must complete awareness level radiation safety training, area-specific and machine-specific training prior to operating a fluoroscopy unit. By regulation the machine-specific training for a fluoroscopic unit must include specific fluoroscopy training. The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) selected a fluoroscopy training manual and exam series entitled, “Minimizing Risks From Fluoroscopic X-rays” that meets the regulatory requirement. Individuals using fluoroscopy equipment outside a hospital should contact the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) to obtain a copy of the fluoroscopy training manual and exam. For hospital fluoroscopic equipment, contact the hospital’s Radiology Department

What training is required before an individual may care for a radiation therapy patient under radiation precautions?

Individuals who provide physical care for radiation therapy patients under radiation precautions are called Health Care radiation workers. An individual must become certified as a Health Care radiation worker prior to providing physical care for a radiation therapy patient under radiation precautions. To become a Health Care radiation worker an individual must attend an Initial Health Care Worker Certification training session. A schedule of courses is available on the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) website at www.uc.edu/radsafety.

What is the “Challenge Test” and how do I schedule it?

The “Challenge Test” is a 25 question multiple choice exam that is used as a mechanism to test out of the “Basic” course. The exam takes 15-30 minutes on average to complete. A score of 88% or higher is required to pass. The “Challenge Test” may only be taken once; therefore, it is recommended that individuals review the Radiation Worker (training) Manual prior to taking the “Challenge Test”. The “Challenge Test” may be taken during normal working hours in the Radiation Safety Office (RSOf) on a walk-in basis.

How long are the radiation safety training courses?

The “Basic” and “Advanced” courses for radioactive material (RAM) radiation workers are approximately three hours each.

All retraining courses are approximately one hour.

The “Initial Health Care Worker Certification” course is approximately three hours.

I took radiation safety training at another institution. Do I have to take training at the University of Cincinnati before I can begin to use radioactive materials (RAM)?

Yes. Even if you attended training or have experience using radioactive materials (RAM) at another institution you are still required to attend site-specific training at the University of Cincinnati before you may handle radioactive materials under the University of Cincinnati Radiation Control and Safety Program (RCSP).

If an individual attended a radiation safety retraining class in December 2006 to satisfy the training requirement for 2006, may the individual attend another retraining class in January of 2007 to satisfy the training requirement for 2007?

Yes. RAM radiation workers must attend training, once each calendar year, as outlined in UC's Ohio Department of Health license of broad scope. Therefore, someone attending in December and then the immediately following January could conceivably meet their training requirement for two years in a matter of a week. However, it is recommended the training sessions be separated by at least several months with the ideal situation being 12 months plus or minus one month.