9.1 - ORGANIZATION FOR RADIATION SAFETY
- The organization for radiation safety at The Catholic University of America consists of the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) who operates the Radiation Safety Office and assists the RSC in discharging its responsibilities, the Deans, Department Chairs and Laboratory Directors within whose jurisdictions work with sources of ionizing radiation is conducted, Authorized Users who receive their authorizations from the RSC, and Individual Users who work under the supervision of Authorized Users.
9.1.1
- Radiation Safety Committee
9.1.1.1
- Establishment
The Radiation Safety Committee of The Catholic University of America is established by the Provost of the University. The purpose of the RSC is to ensure that all sources of ionizing radiation at CUA are used safely and in a manner which complies with applicable regulations of the Federal Government and the Government of the District of Columbia, so that the individual user, the University population and the general public are protected.The RSC reports through its chair to the Associate Vice President for Facilities Operations and monitors the operations of the University Radiation Safety Officer.
9.1.1.2
- Responsibilities
The Radiation Safety Committee shall:
a. Annually review the University Radiation Protection Program and recommend appropriate changes to the Associate Vice President for Facilities Operations;
b. Assist the RSO to establish an effective radiation protection program in compliance with applicable regulations and University policy;
c. Assure that each authorized user is qualified by training and experience, has the facilities to use the material or equipment safely, and proposes a use which is safe for all concerned;
d. Review instances of alleged infractions of regulations for the safe use of sources of ionizing radiation and recommend remedial action if appropriate (this responsibility extends to on-campus projects conducted by non-University organizations or individuals);
e. Ensure the maintenance of all records required by law or regulation due to the presence or use of sources of ionizing radiation on the campus.
9.1.1.3
- Authority
To meet its responsibilities, the RSC is given the following authority:
a. To grant or deny authorization to an individual, or to any University or non-University organization for the use, on CUA property, of radioactive material or radiation-producing equipment;
b. To prescribe the conditions for use on CUA property of sources of ionizing radiation, including requirements for bioassay and/or physical examinations of users, special effluent control devices, minimum level of user training and experience, and restrictions on the amount of occupational exposure which an individual may be permitted to receive during his or her CUA association;
c. To suspend or terminate any project or procedure on CUA property involving the use of sources of ionizing radiation which it finds to be a threat to health or property.
9.1.1.4
- Membership
The RSC consists of the Chair and additional members as indicated below. Appointments to the RSC are made by the Provost with the advice of Department Chairs, Deans and the RSO
a. Ex-Officio Members
- Chair
- Director of Environmental Health & Safety
- Representative from Facilities
- Radiation Safety Officer
b. Technical Members
One member, qualified by training and experience in the use of radioactive material or radiation-producing equipment is appointed from each Department/Laboratory which makes extensive use of sources of ionizing radiation.
9.1.1.5
- Meetings
The RSC shall meet at least once per semester and at least monthly if a proposal for the use of a source of ionizing radiation is pending RSC review. An affirmative vote of four members of the RSC is required to approve an application for use of a source of ionizing radiation.
9.1.1.6
- Records
The formal record of the RSC is the minutes of its meetings. The minutes shall contain a record of all recommendations and actions of the RSC, together with such additional material as the Chair shall deem appropriate for completeness. The minutes shall be maintained throughout the life of the license by the RSO.
9.1.2
- Radiation Safety Officer
9.1.2.1
- Appointment
The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is a staff employee of the University appointed by the Associate Vice President for Facilities Operations and functions as technical advisor to the RSC Chair.
9.1.2.2
- Responsibilities
The RSO shall implement the Radiation Safety Program. To that end the RSO shall:
a. Annually review the Radiation Protection Program and recommend, for RSC consideration, appropriate changes in order to maintain the program in compliance with applicable regulations and the radiation exposure of radiation workers and the general public as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA);
b. Control the procurement, transport, storage, use and disposal of radioactive material and radiation-producing equipment for the University;
c. Determine the suitability of space, facilities, or equipment for the storage or use of radioactive material;
d. Ensure that all CUA facilities which relate to the presence of sources of ionizing radiation on the campus are inspected and surveyed or monitored to determine compliance with regulations and license requirements;
e. Ensure that periodic leak tests are performed as required on all sealed sources of ionizing radiation owned or possessed by the University or used on the campus;
f. Provide appropriate personnel radiation exposure monitoring devices and radiation survey instruments;
g. Ensure that any reported or suspected radiation hazard, incident, or overexposure at CUA is investigated, reported as may be required, and corrected if necessary;
h. Maintain all records pertinent to the radiation protection program, to include:
Receipt, distribution and disposal of radioactive material,
Inventory of radioactive material and radiation-producing equipment,
Radiation surveys and leak tests of sealed sources,
Registry of radiation workers,
Radiation exposure,
Licenses for CUA possession and use of radioactive material;
i. Prepare all reports required by law or regulation as a result of CUA possession and use of sources of ionizing radiation;
j. Assist users of sources of ionizing radiation in their programs by:
Reviewing their plans for research and test programs involving use of sources of ionizing radiation;
Providing consultation on laboratory design, shielding, and other radiation exposure control methods;
Reviewing all applications for new or amended authorizations and submitting comments and recommendations to the RSC;
Preparing timely applications for renewal or amendment of CUA licenses for the possession and use of radioactive material;
Assisting in the development of appropriate radiation safety procedures;
Providing calibration and minor repair service for radiation survey instruments;
Providing appropriate signs for restricted areas;
Providing supervision and assistance with respect to radiation emergencies and special decontamination procedures;
Reporting all instances of non-compliance with regulations for the control of sources of ionizing radiation to the RSC;
Recommending remedial action to correct radiation safety infractions;
k. Operate the CUA Radiation Safety Laboratory (RSL) to provide the technical support required to discharge other RSO responsibilities. The RSL may also be used for the conduct of research by or under the supervision of the RSO, subject to the same requirements for RSC authorization as are established for other CUA users of sources of ionizing radiation.
9.1.2.3
- Authority
To discharge assigned responsibilities, the RSO is granted the following authority:
a. To enter any space where a source of ionizing radiation is stored or used;
b. To seize any radioactive material which is being stored or used in a manner which is perceived to represent a threat to persons or property;
c. To suspend any operation with a source of ionizing radiation which is in violation of the user's authorization;
d. To deny permission to procure radioactive material to any user whose radioactive material inventory is not current.
9.1.3
- Department Chairs and Laboratory Directors
Chairs and Directors shall require compliance with applicable radiation safety regulations with respect to the personnel and facilities under their jurisdiction.
9.1.4
- Authorized Users
9.1.4.1
- Definition
An Authorized User is defined as an individual who has been authorized by the RSC to conduct or direct a research or teaching project utilizing radioactive material or radiation producing equipment.
The Authorized User is the key link in the organization for radiation safety. The Authorized User is expected to have both the expertise and the knowledge of day-to-day operations to ensure that all work is conducted safely.
9.1.4.2
- Responsibilities
Authorized Users shall conduct their work in accordance with the CUA Radiation Safety Manual and applicable Federal and DC regulations; they shall cultivate in themselves and others an awareness of the potential hazards in their research or other activities; and they shall provide adequate facilities, equipment, instruments, supervision and instructions to control radiation hazards. To assist them in the discharge of their responsibilities, further guidance is provided in Section 9.3.15.
9.1.4.3
- Authority
Each Authorized User has the authority, with respect to sources of ionizing radiation for which he/she is responsible, to:
a. Suspend, pending appropriate review and instruction, the work of any employee, student, or co-worker which is perceived to be a threat to health or property or to be in violation of regulations,
b. Take immediate possession of any source of ionizing radiation for which he/she is responsible which is being used or stored in an unsafe manner.
9.1.5
- Individual Users
9.1.5.1
- Definition
An Individual User is defined as any person who works with sources of ionizing radiation under the supervision of an Authorized User.
9.1.5.2
- Responsibilities
Individual Users shall conduct their work in accordance with the CUA Radiation Safety Manual and applicable Federal and DC regulations. Individual Users shall have primary responsibility for their own radiological safety and for ensuring that their exposure to ionizing radiation is maintained as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA).