Radioactive Materials

School Radiation Safety Officers

Each school which uses radioactive materials, has a locally appointed School Radiation Safety Officer (SRSO). Advice concerning safety should in the first instance be obtained from your local SRSO.

Protocols

All procedures involving radioactive materials at UWA requires the user to have completed a protocol application before commencing the work. Protocol forms are available from Safety & Health (S&H) or from the SRSO.

The forms must be completed, signed by applicant and signed by  the SRSO (thus ensuring that the appropriate school personnel are aware of the work proposed) before being sent to S&H for a final assessment. The application is reviewed by S&H and if approved it is signed and issued with a protocol number. Copies of the approved protocol are sent to the SRSO and the applicant.

Any changes to an agreed protocol must be approved by the SRSO and S&H. Such changed may include alterations to the procedure as submitted, using larger activities or different radionuclides or performing the work in different radioisotope laboratories (which would also need to be registered).

Download a blank protocol form

Ordering radioactive material

All orders for radionuclides at UWA must be emailed to safety@uwa.edu.au and Cc'd to megan.mcmanus@uwa.edu.au or posted to Safety & Health. All orders must clearly state:

• UWA order number 
• Supplier's name and correct address details
• Radionuclide's chemical name and product code
• Activity (Becquerels, Curies)
• Current protocol number
• Delivery address

The orders are checked to ensure that the protocol is current and that the activity and location of use are within the UWA registration limits. Orders are normally faxed to the supplier on the same day that the order is received by Safety & Health or when the order form is received. All orders must be placed with S&H.

S&H personnel processing orders are:

Rebecca Joel (6488 3938)

Megan McManus (6488 7933)

In a small number of cases the supplier will require a permit to import certain prohibited radioisotopes. The application form is normally completed by the S&H, signed by the user and is then sent to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) for approval. ARPANSA charge a fee of $90 for each permit ($150 if urgent) to allow import through Australian Customs of non-medical radioisotopes.

Records and Receipts

In order to prevent radioactive materials from being mislaid or just forgotten and left, records following the movement of radioactive substances must be kept and regularly updated. Records must detail activities, physical form of radioisotopes, supplier, arrival date, use details, disposal method and disposal date. Comments could also be included on the form of packaging and perhaps the quality of the packaging. Signed receipts should be obtained where possible.

Personal Radiation Monitoring

Personal radiation monitors are required to be worn by all persons handling radioisotopes. These can be arranged through your SRSO and then through the S&H.

Biological Monitoring - Urinalysis and Thyroid Monitoring

Biological Monitoring - Urinalysis and Thyroid Monitoring

Wipe Testing

Schools using unsealed radioisotopes are required to conduct monthly wipe tests of all radioisotope laboratories. The results of the wipe test are required to be forwarded to S&H within 10 working days of the start of  the month. A summary form should be attached to the results.

Wipe Test Procedure

Download a Summary of Monthly Wipe Tests form

Radioactive Waste Disposal

All solid  radioactive waste must be correctly packaged and labelled for disposal. These wastes will need to be delivered to the Radioactive Waste Store, which is located in H Block at the QEII Medical Centre. The store is only open to receive waste every Thursday between 10:30 am to 11:00 am. For schools at QEII, the waste may be delivered to the Mortuary ramp in the basement level of G Block between 10:15 and 10:30 am each Thursday.

Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

Laboratory Emergency Response Procedures

Training

All radioisotope users at the University are required to have attended and passed the Unsealed Radioisotope Handling Course within the first year of using radioisotopes, and preferably prior to starting such work.

These three day courses consists of 16 lectures and information sessions  over 2 consecutive days. Immediately following the lectures, students must attend on a third day to complete a practical session and sit the course examination.

The practical sessions provide students with experience with radioisotope manipulations and radiation monitoring methods and equipment.

Lecture topics covered are;

• Basic radiation physics
• Properties of ionising radiation
• External and internal radiation hazards
• Radiation detection and measurement
• Safe working techniques
• Decontamination and emergency procedures
• Radioactive waste management
• General lab safety
• Radioisotope laboratory design
• Biological effects of ionising radiation
• Radiation in perspective
• Legal aspects of radiation usage
• Radiation safety procedures at UWA
• Radiation calculations

For further information contact Safety and Health on 6488 3938 or email: safety@uwa.edu.au

Services provided by Safety and Health

• Assistance with Radiation Safety Act requirements.
• Planning of new, and improvement of existing premises.
• Regular inspections of premises.
• Training of radiation users.
• Advice to radiation users - working procedures, working rules.
• Assessment and approval of protocol applications.
• Central ordering of radioactive materials.
• Personal Monitors - (thermoluminescent dosimeters, TLD's)
• Radiation monitoring including the issue of wipe testing, thyroid monitoring, urinalysis and the follow up of results.
• Investigation and reporting on radiation incidents.
• Radioactive waste disposal.