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Sealed Source: General Conditions

GENERAL

• G-1 This permit shall be conspicuously posted in all locations listed on the permit.
• G-2 It is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure that all information listed on the Internal Radioisotope Permit is accurate and up to date. The permit holder shall request an amendment to the permit before said amendments are required and adopted.
• G-3 All authorized radioisotope laboratories shall be kept locked when not in use.
• G-4 The permit holder shall immediately inform the Environmental Health and Safety Service (ORM) of any losses, thefts, damage of radioactive materials, any situation where a breach of security is possible, when an over exposure may have occurred, or in the case of an accident/incident.

RADIATION PROTECTION MEASURES

• RPM-1 Each permit holder shall establish, implement and maintain procedures designed to ensure that all radiation doses are as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
• RPM-2 Each permit holder or their designate shall ensure the dose rate at any occupied location outside the storage area, room or enclosure resulting form the substances or devices in storage does not exceed 2.5 uSv/hr. Appropriate shielding shall be interposed, and in whatever quantity, in order to reduce field strength to a level below 2.5 uSv/hr.
• RPM-3 The permit holder shall ensure that all persons working with sealed sources under authority of their Internal Radioisotope Permit are properly trained in safe handling and storage, and are informed of the associated hazards of radioactive materials.
• RPM-4 All undergraduate students participating in experiments or procedures using sealed sources shall be closely supervised and instructed in safe handling procedures.
• RPM-5 The permit holder shall instruct authorized users under their authority of any specific hazards associated with sealed source use within their laboratory.
• RPM-6 The permit holder shall permit any authorized user under their authority to attend any radiation protection courses offered by the University in cases where instruction is deemed necessary to ensure the safety of such users. Attendance at such sessions shall be considered paid time.

DOSIMETRY

• D-1 The permit holder or their designate shall ensure that all authorized users are provided with a thermoluminescent dosimeter where required under page 2 of the Internal Radioisotope Permit, and that such dosimeters are used properly by authorized users.
• D-2 Any authorized user that becomes pregnant shall forthwith inform the permit holder and ORM. The authorized user shall participate in any additional dosimetry programs ORM deems appropriate. The authorized user and the permit holder shall comply with any additional protective measures with may be prescribed, and may include a modified work program for the duration of the pregnancy.
• D-3 The permit holder shall ensure that nay person who handles a container which contains more than 50 Mbq of phosphorous 32, strontium 89, yttrium 90, samarium 153 or rhenium 186 wears a ring dosimeter. The dosimeters must be supplied and read by a dosimetry service licenced by CNSC.

SIGNING/POSTING

• SP-1 Sealed sources shall be marked with a radiation warning symbol, the activity and identity of radioactive material.
• SP-2 Devices containing a radioactive material (i.e. electron capture gas chromatograph, self shielded irradiator) shall be clearly and durably labeled with a radiation warning sign and the nature, activity and date of measurement of the radioactive material involved. A clearly visible sign shall be located on or near the device indicating the identity (name and job title) and telephone number of the contact person.
• SP-3 A radiation warning sign shall be mounted on all doors leading into radioisotope
• laboratories where there is a radioisotope in a quantity greater than 100 Exemption Quantities (EQ), or there is a reasonable probability that a person will be exposed to an effective dose rate greater than 25 uSv/hr.

PURCHASE, RECEIPT & SHIPMENT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

• PRSRM-1 All radioactive materials shall be ordered using the Radioisotope Purchase Requisition form. The permit holder shall follow the Procedures for Ordering Radioactive Material
• PRSRM-2 Each Radioisotope Purchase Requisition shall have all the required information, be signed by the permit holder or their designate and be approved by ORM prior to ordering.
• PRSRM-3 All shippers= declarations, packing slips and accompanying documentation shall be forwarded to ORM.
• PRSRM-4 All radioactive materials offered for transport shall be directed through ORM.
• PRSRM-5 The permit holder shall communicate his/her intent to transfer sealed sources to another permit holder, institution, or destination outside Canada, to ORM. The permit holder shall not transfer sealed sources until approval is granted by ORM. The permit holder shall comply with any requirement imposed by ORM.
• PRSRM-6 The permit holder shall inform the ORM of the receipt of sealed source from another permit holder, institution, or importation across an international border.

CONTAMINATION MONITORING

• CM-1 Except for sealed sources containing radioactive materials of less than 50 MBq, leak tests capable of detecting the presence of 200 Bq of radioactive material shall be performed: (1) at least once every 12 months on each sealed source in a self-shielded irradiator or gas chromatograph; (2) at least once every 6 months on other sealed sources; (3) immediately following any incident on sealed sources which could have been damaged as a result of the incident; and (4) upon receipt of a new sealed source.
• CM-2 Records of leak testing shall be maintained for at least 3 years. If removable radioactive contamination in excess of 200 Bq is detected, the sealed source holder or sealed source shall be isolated, its use immediately discontinued, and ORM shall be notified.

DECOMMISSIONING

• DE-1 The permit holder shall ensure that prior to decommissioning any area, room or equipment the levels of contamination does not exceed 0.3 Bq/cm2 for all class A radionuclides, 3 Bq/cm2 for all class B radionuclides, 30 Bq/cm2 for all class C radionuclides averaged over an area not exceeding 100 cm2. The responsible individual shall document results on the decommissioning record form. In practice, ORM defines decommissioning as levels of contamination not exceeding 0.3 Bq/cm2.
• DE-2 The permit holder shall ensure that all nuclear substances and radiation devices have been transferred, disposed of and reported in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Radiation Safety Manual or any other practice agreed upon by the ORM.
• DE-3 The permit holder shall ensure that all radiation warning signs have been removed or defaced.

REPORTING

• R-1 The permit holder shall inform ORM of his/her intent to discontinue radioisotope use whether permanently or temporarily (i.e. sabbatical). The permit holder shall comply with any requirement imposed by ORM regarding decommissioning, disposition of retained records, and disposition of sealed sources.
• R-2 The permit holder shall forthwith report any required modifications to the Internal Radioisotope Permits.
• R-3 The permit holder shall inform ORM of his/her intent to dispose of any sealed source or device containing a sealed source. The permit holder shall comply with any instructions issued by ORM.

PROHIBITIONS

• P-1 The permit holder shall not accommodate for the storage or consumption of food, beverages; or equipment for the preparation of food or beverages; cigarette smoking, or the application of cosmetics within areas where sealed sources are used or stored.
• P-2 The permit holder shall not transfer sealed sources to a person not authorized to receive such sources, and includes individuals having had such privileges suspended by way of sanction under statutory law.
• P-3 The permit holder shall not permit under-aged individuals into areas where sealed sources are used or stored.
• P-4 Sealed sources shall not be transported in a private motor vehicle on a public road, either by the permit holder, his/her designate, or by request to University transport

 

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