Washington State University
SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

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Authorization to Use Radiation Sources

University personnel who wish to use radioactive materials or radiation machines in WSU facilities must obtain prior authorization from the Radiation Safety Committee.

A requirement for eligibility for authorized user status is that the applicant be a permanent employee of Washington State University.

Permanent employees fall into three categories:

• Faculty
• Classified staff
• Administrative/professional

The Radiation Safety Committee usually grants requests for authorizations to use sources of ionizing radiation for the purpose of conducting research. Thus requests for authorizations are almost always granted to members of the University faculty. In exceptional cases, the Committee may grant requests for authorizations to members of the classified staff and administrative/professional groups. All requests for authorization will be deliberated thoroughly by the Committee as a whole before a decision is rendered.

The Radiation Safety Committee will not give authorizations to use sources of ionizing radiation to non-permanent employees (e.g., persons on post-doctoral or graduate student appointments). Such individuals are eligible to conduct research under the general supervision of a faculty member who is an authorized user. The supervising faculty member who is an authorized user may be any member of the department involved, including the department chair.

Complete an Application to Use Radioactive Materials form to request authorization. Print the master in the PDF version of 9.20.6-11 or complete onscreen and print to obtain supplies of the form.

Route the completed application to the Radiation Safety Office (RSO).

Each individual must resubmit a fully-completed application to the RSO for authorization renewal at least once every two years.

Submit an amendment to a current authorization when the authorized user requires:

• Change in the type or quantity of radioactive materials,


• Significant changes in the intended use of isotopes (e.g., experiments in vitro to in vivo), and/or


• Changes or additions to locations of use.

Use an Application to Use Radioactive Materials form to request an amendment. See 9.20.6-11.

The RSO may approve any simple change involving a reduction in the scope of the existing authorization. Examples include a decrease in a possession limit, or the deletion of an isotope or location of use. See the Request for Reduction in Scope of Radioactive Material Use in the PDF version of 9.20.12.

Complete an Application to Use Radiation Machines form to request authorization. Print the master in the PDF version of 9.20.13-14 or complete onscreen and print to obtain supplies of the form.

Complete and attach a Radiation Machine Registration form to the Application to Use Radiation Machines. Print the master in the PDF version of 9.20.15 or complete onscreen and print to obtain supplies of the form.

Route the completed application and attachment to the Radiation Safety Office.

Each individual must resubmit a fully-completed application and attachment to the RSO for authorization renewal at least once every three years.

Submit an amendment to a current authorization when the authorized user requires:

• Change in the radiation machine used,


• Change in location of use,


• Significant changes in the type of targets used with a given radiation machine, and/or


• Changes in the protocols previously approved for a given radiation machine.

Use the Authorization to Use Radiation Machines and attached Radiation Machine Registration to request an amendment.

The Director of the Radiation Safety Office may grant certain temporary approvals, subject to limitations listed in WAC 246-235-140. The Director may also impose certain suspensions. Decisions of the Director regarding temporary approvals and suspensions are reviewed by the Radiation Safety Committee.

The Radiation Safety Committee grants the Director of the Radiation Safety Office authority to temporarily approve:

• Use of small amounts of radioactive materials by nonauthorized users.


• Amendments to current authorizations, including additions of University locations and facilities.


• Initial orders of radioactive materials when applications for authorization can be approved prior to delivery.


• Use of gas chromatographic electron capture sources.

The Radiation Safety Committee may delegate the Director of the Radiation Safety Office authority to review and temporarily approve the following:

• All proposed uses of radioactive materials and radiation machines.


• Adequacy of the training and experience of all users to conduct research utilizing radioactive materials and/or radiation machines.


• All radiation machines and facilities associated with their use or storage.

The Radiation Safety Committee authorizes the Director of the Radiation Safety Office to suspend work with radioactive materials or radiation machines when:

• Proper authorization is not in force, or


• Current work is performed under unsafe circumstances.

The Radiation Safety Committee further authorizes the Director of the Radiation Safety Office to suspend the authorization to use radioactive materials or radiation machines when continuation of the authorization:

• Poses a serious risk to individuals or property;


• Poses a likelihood of radiation overexposure to any individual;


• Poses a likelihood of violation of regulations, license conditions, or provisions of the initial authorization; or


• May induce serious adverse public reaction.

Each person who works with radioactive materials or radiation machines completes an Application for Personnel Monitoring Device form. See the form in the PDF version of 9.45.6 and see 9.45 for instructions.

Each person having a previous radiation exposure history with another institution must complete and sign an Exposure History Release form. See the form in the PDF version of 9.45.7 and see 9.45 for instructions.

Females of child-bearing age are required to complete the Prenatal Exposure Statement form. See 9.50.

The Radiation Safety Office reviews each application to ensure that all appropriate information is provided.

Radiation Safety Office personnel inspect the laboratory facilities to ensure that the location is appropriate for the planned uses.

The Director of the Radiation Safety Office submits the application to the Radiation Safety Committee for review.

The committee reviews all applications to determine if:

• Adequate procedures and precautions are in place to ensure the health and safety of involved personnel and the general public.


• Applicant and other users in the group have sufficient training and experience to utilize radioactive materials or radiation machines properly.


• Equipment and facilities available are adequate to conduct the proposed work safely.

The committee may request additional information from the applicant to assist in making the final determination.

The committee may impose special conditions or requirements as deemed necessary (e.g., regarding personnel monitoring or surveys).

The decision of the committee is final.