Home
The HSE-gateway

Working with radiation and radiation protection

Use of radioactive sources can cause harm to both people and environment, and work with radioactive sources are regulated by several laws and regulations.

Main content

High energy radiation has high penetration capacity and such radiation can cause health damage. Before starting work on radiation sources, it is therefore a prerequisite that sufficient training has been obtained in the work with radiation and radiation protection.

Introduction:

At UiB, radiation sources are used for both research and teaching. Everyone who uses radiation sources is obliged to familiarize themselves with the UiB's guidelines for radiation protection and the use of radiation at UiB.
In units where radiation sources are used, the line manager shall appoint a local radiation protection coordinator and work involving radiation sources to be risk assessed. Line manager in collaboration with local radiation protection coordinator shall ensure that employees who are to use radiation sources have adequate training and ensure that the correct protective equipment is available.

Employees working with ionising radiation are required to register their work in an exposure register. At UiB we use the exposure register EcoExposure.

ALARA

Any use of and work with radiation shall be based on the following basic principle:

  • All work with radioactive sources must be well justified. This means that the benefit from the use of radiation must be greater than the risk.
  • Work with radioactive sources should follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).
  • Any use of radiation must be optimised.
  • The dose limits provided in the Radiation Protection Regulations and in Appendix 2 of the regulation must not be exceeded.

The annual dose limit is 20 mSv for occupational exposure and for others (the population in general) the dose limit is 1 mSv.  The dose limit must never be exceeded. In the event that occupational exposure may mean doses exceeding 6 mSV per year, the individual must undergo regular health checks.

Working with radioactive sources

Risk assessment of the use of radiation sources

Units that plan to use or handle radiation sources must prepare a written HSE risk assessment related to radiation use. New activities shall not be initiated until a risk assessment has been carried out and the necessary preventive measures have been implemented.

The risk assessment shall provide employees and students with the necessary information about the risks associated with working with radiation sources.

When risk assessment of a single work task and / or activity (eg a procedure or method), we recommend Safe Job Analysis (SJA).

Important factors when assessing risk:

  • Is the project within the approvals for radiation use that UiB has
  • Are there other methods that do not involve the use of radiation sources (substitution obligation)
  • Does the use of radiation sources place special demands on the design of the premises such as ventilation, fume cupboards or shielding of walls, floors and ceilings
  • Is there a need for physical security mechanisms such as interlock on doors, warning lights, etc.
  • How to dispose of radiation sources
  • It requires training in the use of radiation sources
  • Are there special requirements in relation to the transport of the radiation sources
  • The legislation requires targeted health examinations

For risk assessment of one specific radiation source, we recommend the use of a simple exposure matrix. It can be attached to the HSE risk assessment or the Safe Job Analysis.

Here you can read more about different risk assessment methods related to HSE and emergency preparedness.

Before you start the work

  • Prior to starting work with radiation sources you must, in accordance with the substitution obligation, find out if it is possible to carry out the work using a non-radioactive source.
  • The choice of location depends on the energy of the radiation source. Low energy radiation sources, such as H-3 and C-14, can be worked on in an approved area in a regular laboratory. Radiation sources with a higher energy require facilities that have been further adapted. Classification and labelling of isotope laboratories must follow the requirement specifications as required by law and regulations, when considering the quantities that can be used for each activity and the general requirements for the laboratories.
  • A risk assessment must be carried out prior to starting any work with radiation sources.
  • Everyone working with radioactive sources must have undergone suitable training. As a minimum prior to start-up, local training at the laboratory must have been implemented, and as soon as possible following the start-up a course in radiation protection must be implemented:
    • A three-day course with a pass in the course test for permanent employees, PhD’s, project employees and students who will be using radioactive sources on a regular basis. In this case, a regular basis means monthly or more often.
    • One-day courses in radiation protection for permanent employees, PhD’s, project employees and students who will be using radiation sources for a short period.
  • Prior to working with radiation sources, it is important to consider how one is going to work.
    • What distance should there be to the source.
    • How much time can you spend working with the source.
    • What type of shielding must be used.
    • How do you become exposed and what organs can be vulnerable.
  • Make sure that correct and necessary protective equipment is available.
    • Safety glasses
    • Gloves, feel free to use two pairs.
    • Laboratory coat.
    • Shielding of lead or plexiglass.
    • Use plastic covered backing sheet.
    • Use disposable equipment as much as possible.
      • Glass equipment must always be washed by the user. The first wash water must be treated as radioactive waste.
  • Laboratory equipment such as the automatic pipettes regularly used for radioactive substances should be reserved for that work alone.
  • Specimens and specimen tubes must be labelled using the ionising hazard trefoil.  

During and after working with radioactive sources

  • It is prohibited to eat and drink in the laboratory.
  • Any spillage must be mopped up immediately.
  • The workbench must be tidied after work has finished.
  • Implement two control measurements:
    • Use a Geiger Müller counter if you have used a high energetic source of radiation.
    • Use a wipe test if the radiation source has low energy.
  • All waste must be treated prudently.
    • Waste that can achieve background radiation within one year stands to decay and disposed of as problematic waste / hazardous waste.
    • Waste that does not achieve background radiation within one year must be delivered to an approved waste reception. Radioactive waste must be delivered at least once a year.

Working with UV-light

Illustrativt bilde
Photo:
www.uib.no

Exposure to UV radiation can cause damage to the skin and eyes.

Adapted protective equipment must be available to everyone who has to stay in areas where they may be exposed to UV radiation. This could be eye and face protection (goggles/visor), long protective gloves and long sleeved lab coat.

More detailed work instructions for using UV light can be found here.

You can find a poster that can be printed out and hung up where UV equipment is used here.

Wipe test

Procedure for performing a wipe test:

  • Use a moist filter paper (5x5 cm or similar) and wipe off the bench, equipment, handles, floors, etc. One filter paper for each area you are wiping off.
  • Take a damp filter paper and wipe off an area that has not been used for radioactive work (blank sample).
  • Place the filter papers in the scintillation glass and fill with a scintillation liquid.
  • Count the samples in a scintillation counter (or a gamma counter)
  • The work area is ready for use if the count from the wipe test is of the same order of magnitude as the blank sample. If the counts are higher than the blank sample, the work area must be washed again and a new wipe test must be completed. This is repeated until the counts are equal to the blank sample.
  • The results from the wipe test must be stored.

When working with more energy-rich radiation sources such as P-32, the use of Geiger Müller will be sufficient.

Measures for spillages or accidents involving open radioactive sources

  • In the event of contamination of individuals’ skin or clothing:
    • Wash thoroughly, if necessary take a shower.
    • Change soiled clothing.
    • If the radioactive source has entered the body, consult a doctor.
  • Provide information to others regarding the accident.
  • Use necessary protective equipment:
    • Lab coat.
    • Shoe covers.
    • Gloves.
  • Find the necessary equipment.
    • Paper towels.
    • Soap.
    • Waste bin.
    • Measuring equipment.
  • Put paper towels on the spillage. If both the floor and bench are contaminated, start with the floor.
  • Wipe from the outer edge towards the centre. Change paper often.
  • Use soap and water if necessary.
  • Check the result with the measuring equipment (Geiger Müller counter or using a wipe test).
  • Wash until the measurements correspond to the background measurements.
  • Document the measurement results.
  • Report the non-conformance in the electronic HSE non-conformance system in UiBHelp. and inform the local radiation protection coordinator and the line manager (the immediate superior).
  • In addition, we are required to report accidents and abnormal incidents to the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA).Written notification must be sent from the company to the Directorate as soon as possible and no later than within 3 working days.