Radiation
Radiation safety begins with lab directors providing lab-specific training to their personnel regarding occupational risks associated with their specific radionuclides, radiation-generating machines, and procedures. You are required to comply with the appropriate regulations, complete contamination surveys, verify all personnel participate in the Radiation Safety Services (RSS) Dosimetry Program, and, if applicable, inform women about the Declared Pregnant Woman program.
Radiation Safety Service (RSS) provides you with the following support when working with radioactive materials and radiation-generating machines:
- Evaluate safety of the activities and facilities
- Monitor radiation exposures, and assess environmental and personnel doses
- Respond to radiological emergencies and radioactive spills
- Monitor radon
- Recommend monitoring equipment appropriate to the source of radiation
- Apply for regulatory licenses and registrations
- Evaluate laser compliance and safety
- Provide safety training on exposure and contamination control, risk assessment, and instrumentation use
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
Forms
To help authorized users stay in compliance with the rules and regulations regarding radioactive material, RSS provides a standardized program to document authorization to use radioactive materials or radiation-generating machines, record contamination surveys, distribute dosimeters, track radionuclides ordered and used, and ensure users have completed the required training.
Application Forms (RSS-101 Forms)
Individuals who want to become authorized users of radioactive material must complete the following applications. The following forms may be in a downloadable “Word” format so that you can print them for your operation as is, or download and modify them to meet your unique needs. When you click the link it will automatically go to the download file.
Individuals wanting to use radioactive materials for animal research must also complete the RSS-101 Section 9 Form.
Contamination Surveys (RSS-110 Form)
Authorized users and their lab personnel are responsible for conducting contamination surveys to verify the laboratory is free of radioactive contaminants, documenting and maintaining the contamination survey results, and having the contamination results available to RSS and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspectors. Use the following documents to conduct and record contamination surveys.
NOTE: Authorized users may record the results of the contamination survey on the Radioactive Contamination Survey Record or in their own log book.
Radionuclide Procurement and Tracking Form
Authorized users are required to track each radionuclide purchased from time of purchase until the time of disposal. The Radionuclide Receipt, Use and Disposal Record Form can be used to track this information.
Training
- Radiation safety training is required by state and federal regulations. All users of radioactive material or sources must complete the Radiation Safety Orientation (or equivalent).
- The Radiation Safety Orientation and Annual Refresher Training have been combined into a single course (EHS_RSS103w on My Linc), accessible from the EHS Safety Training Course List.
- After completing training, users must sign an Annual Refresher Training Acknowledgment Form .
Customized Training
RSS offers customized training for:
- Protocols for users of radioactive materials or radiation-generating machines
- X-ray devices and specialized radiological equipment
- Analytical X-ray Machine Safety Training
- X-ray Fluoroscopy Safety Training
- Sealed-Source Safety Training
- Radiation Safety Training for Animal Handlers
U-M Hospital and Health Centers Training Requirements
- U-M Health personnel handling radioactive materials must complete Radiation Safety Orientation and annual refresher training.
- Additional job-specific training is required via Cornerstone Learning .
| COURSE | AUDIENCE |
| RADI-C10115 | Personnel using radiation-producing machines |
| RADI-10260 | Personnel using CT machines |
| RADI-10124 | Personnel caring for radioactive patients |
| RADI-10120 | Brachytherapy personnel |
| RADI-C20023 | MIBG therapy personnel |
| RADI-C10100 | Fluoroscopy operators |
RSS may develop specialized training based on departmental needs.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the decay of uranium in soil. Exposure to elevated levels increases lung cancer risk.
RSS provides radon monitoring devices and expertise to evaluate levels and mitigation strategies.
Safety Protocols
RSS provides consultation to ensure radiological safety and regulatory compliance in research and clinical settings.
