The President of Mercer University has designated Institutional Official (IO) as the individual responsible for the Radiation Safety Program.  The Institutional Official appoints the members of the Institutional Radiation Safety Committee annually.  The voting members of the committee will elect the Chair.  The committee is composed of the following: personnel with experience in radiological safety, the Radiation Safety Officers from the various schools; an authorized user from each college / school using ionizing radiation.  Each school will be allowed to have two representatives on the committee.  The director of the Health and Safety Office will serve as the executive secretary to the committee ( non-voting member ).  The Institutional Official may appoint other members, as the university deems necessary.

The IRSC will meet on a quarterly basis.  The Chair may call additional meetings as necessary, or at the request of one of the members or Radiation Safety Officers (RSO).  All meetings will be recorded in the form of minutes.   Minutes will be distributed to all members for approval.

In order to conduct business that requires voting, at least one half of the members must be present including the University Radiation Safety Officer (URSO).  

Members of the IRSC shall be familiar with the conditions of Mercer University’s Specific Limited License; the Radiation Safety Manual; and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Rules and Regulations for Radioactive Materials, Chapter 391-3-17.    Committee members must review for approval or disapproval all applications to use radionuclides including protocol / project descriptions.   This process may be conducted outside of the quarterly meetings, via routing applications to all members and holding a vote electronically.  The committee shall consider all situations brought forward by any member, or any concerned individual.  Members will selectively participate in an annual review of the radiation safety program.

 Authority

The IRSC in conjunction with the URSO has the authority to identify radiation safety problems and initiate recommendations and corrective actions.

The URSO is responsible for implementing the radiation safety program and that radiation safety activities are performed according to approved procedures and regulatory requirements.  The URSO has the authority to stop any operation that may present unsafe radiation safety practices.  This authority is delegated by appointment by the president.

·     Licensed material possessed by the Authorized User (AU) is limited to the kinds and quantities of byproduct material listed on the license.  Assure that only individuals authorized by the license use the radioactive material.

·     All individuals using radioactive materials or any individual whose job duties may require them to work in the vicinity of radioactive materials are properly instructed. In addition, provide training to any individual working in the vicinity such as housekeeping, security, and maintenance personnel. 

·    That radiation exposures for all personnel are as low as reasonably achievable ( ALARA ) by implementing an appropriate radiation protection program.  

·    Appropriate administration of dosimetry program in accordance with Rule .03(7)(b).

·    Provide consulting services to faculty and staff on all aspects of radiation protection.

·    Review new construction and remodeling of facilities in which radioactive materials will be used.

·   Review and approve, if acceptable, all Applications for A Permit to Use Radionuclides.  Provide written notification of approval to applicant.

·     Approve all radioactive material orders.

·    Provide support to RSO’s in the use of the HP Assistant database.  Ensure that all records are entered in a prompt manner, therefore maintaining a current centralized database.

·    That radioactive material is properly secured against unauthorized removal or use.

·    Suspend use of radioactive material that poses immediate danger to employees or the public.

·     That licensed material is disposed of properly.

·    Conduct annual audits of the radiation safety program in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure for Internal Radiation Safety Inspections.    SOPs are available from RSOs.

·     That the proper authorities are notified in the case of accident, fire or theft involving radioactive material.  

·     That all incidents, accidents, and personnel exposure to radiation in excess are investigated and reported to the necessary authorities as appropriate.

·     That the license is amended whenever there are changes in licensed activities, responsible individuals, or information or commitments provided to the State in the licensing process.

·     That the all license fees, permit fees and other costs associated with the radiation safety program are processed as necessary and in a timely manner.

·     Provide annual activity and /or fiscal reports to the President of the University.

·      Proper implementation of the Radiation Safety Program (RSP).

·      Provide support to all users of radioactive materials ( RAM ) as applicable to the radiation safety protection program.  

·      Provide training to all new users of RAM, document the training and enter into HP Assistant.

·     Ensure that radiation exposures for all personnel are as low as reasonably achievable ( ALARA ) by implementing an appropriate radiation protection program.

·     Responsible for dosimetry program: personal dosimeter applications of new workers, obtain prior occupational dose records, provide occupational dose records as requested within 30 days, provide terminal film badge records to individuals no longer participating in the dosimetry program.

·     Responsible for monitoring and ensuring proper use of radiolabeling facility in accordance to the Standard Operating Procedure for the Use of the Radiolabeling Facility.  SOPs are available from RSOs.

·     Perform thyroid bioassays on all individual utilizing ¹²⁵ I and ¹³¹I in a volatile form and will be in accordance with Regulatory Guide 8.20 Applications of Bioassays for ¹²⁵ I and ¹³¹I.

·     Review and approve all requisitions in the Financial Record System (FRS).

·     Receive all radioactive packages according to the Standard Operating Procedure for Receiving Radioactive Packages & Receipt / Use Log , (SOPs are available from RSOs.) log all information into the HP Assistant database.

·     Ensure that all RAM shipments and transfers comply with the Standard Operating Procedure for Shipping of Radioactive Materials.  SOPs are available from RSOs.

·     Ensure that all incidents, accidents, and personnel exposure to radiation are investigated, documented and reported to the URSO.

·     Periodic inspections of laboratories as well a review of records may be performed at the discretion of the RSO.

·    Provide waste storage and removal service for all RAM, log information into HP Assistant database.  Separate waste accordingly.  The two main categories will be: decay in storage  ( radioisotopes with half lives less than  100 days ) or waste to be shipped out ( isotopes with half lives greater than 100 days). Once waste has decayed for ten half lives, perform an appropriate survey to determine that radiation is no longer detectable.  Record   survey information and information pertaining to the instrument used for the survey, i.e. model number, calibration date etc.

Monthly:              

·     Dosimetry program: change personal dosimeters and Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD’s)

·     Sewer disposal calculation - file copy with URSO Rule.03(12)c.

Quarterly:

·    Provide all Authorized Users ( AU’s ) with quarterly inventory reports.

·    Update HP Assistant database to accurately reflect all information provided to RSO from AU’s on quarterly inventory reports.

·    Perform inventory of all sealed sources.

·    Arrange for disposal of radioactive waste to licensed and approved Low Level Radioactive Waste disposal firm.

Biannually:

·    Perform leak testing of all sealed sources as required.

·    Perform surveys of restricted and non-restricted areas; document all corrective actions taken, post results for all individuals working in restricted and non-restricted areas to review.

Yearly:        

·   Perform calibrations of all survey instruments, as the instrument approaches its yearly calibration date.

·    Calculate effluent concentrations; file a copy with the URSO

·    Dosimetry program: provide reports of yearly exposure to participants, provide documentation to support that the public receives less than 100 mrem/yr exposures.   See Annual Exposure form sample.  Note: This can be achieved by monitoring unrestricted areas throughout the year.

·     Perform annual inspections of the facilities in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure for Internal Radiation Safety Inspections.  SOPs are available from RSOs.

An authorized user ( AU ) is a faculty or staff member who has obtained permission to use radioactive materials from the IRSC and the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division .

* Note other university committees may refer to the AU as the PI.

Responsibilities

•  The AU is required to be in compliance with the conditions set forth in the Radioactive Materials License of the university.
   

• The AU is responsible for ensuring supervision to all individuals working under the issuance of their radioactive material license.   This includes but is not limited to: research scientists, post-doctoral students, graduate students, medical students, undergraduate students, work-study students, and volunteers.    Minors are not allowed to work with radioactive materials unless they have been given permission by the IRSC.   See Sec V. Personnel Monitoring.
   

•  Ensuring that all personnel who are under their supervision have received proper training and instruction specific to the activities in the laboratory. 
   

•  Inform URSO/RSO of new techniques, changes in operational procedures and or in the physical facilities.  Any such changes could lead to increased personnel exposure of contamination levels in the facilities of surrounding environment.
   

• Maintaining appropriate records of receipt, use, waste, wipe surveys, quarterly inventory reports. 
   

• The AU is responsible for working with the RSO in determining the optimum procedure for segregating and storing all radioactive waste.  Waste must be stored in appropriate containers as recommended in this manual and by the RSO.   See Appendix A Labeling Requirements.

E.  Radiation Worker

Any individual who has willingly accepted a position in which he/she is required to work with or in an area where radioactive materials exist.

• Adhere to the instructions of the Authorized User, RSO and work in compliance with University, State, and Federal regulations concerning the use of radioactive material.

• Always wear the required personnel monitoring equipment.
   

•   Maintain good housekeeping practices in the laboratory.
   

• Adhere to all laboratory practices, such as no eating, drinking, smoking, or application of cosmetics in the laboratories.
   

•  Report all spills and or accidents involving radioactive material to the RSO. 

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