SOP for Managing Radioactive Materials

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SOP for Managing Radioactive Materials

Standard Operating Procedure for Managing Radioactive Materials

1) Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to establish guidelines for the safe handling, storage, usage, transportation, and disposal of radioactive materials to ensure the safety of personnel, protect the environment, and comply with regulatory requirements.

2) Scope

This SOP applies to all personnel who work with or handle radioactive materials within laboratories, medical facilities, or production areas. It includes procedures for radiation safety, contamination control, and waste management.

3) Responsibilities

  • Radiation Safety Officer (RSO): Oversee compliance with radiation safety protocols, conduct risk assessments, and provide training.
  • Supervisors: Ensure personnel comply with this SOP, monitor radioactive material usage, and maintain records.
  • Operators: Follow safe handling and disposal procedures, wear appropriate PPE, and report any incidents immediately.
  • Maintenance Team: Inspect, maintain, and calibrate radiation monitoring equipment.

4) Procedure

4.1 Identification and Classification of Radioactive Materials

  1. Material Identification:
    1. Radioactive materials include isotopes emitting alpha, beta, gamma, or neutron radiation (e.g., uranium, cobalt-60, cesium-137).
    2. Refer to the Radiation Safety Data Sheets (RSDS) for hazard classification, exposure limits, and handling precautions.
  2. Labeling Requirements:
    1. Clearly label all containers with:
      • “Radioactive Material” and the radiation symbol (trefoil).
      • Isotope name, activity (mCi or μCi), and date of measurement.
    2. Use yellow and magenta or black labels as per regulatory requirements.
See also  SOP for Classification of Waste Types (Hazardous, Non-Hazardous, etc.)

4.2 Handling

Radioactive Materials
  1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
    • Lab coats or full-body protective suits
    • Chemical-resistant gloves (double-layered for high-risk isotopes)
    • Safety goggles or face shields
    • Dosimeters to monitor individual radiation exposure

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  2. General Handling Guidelines:
    1. Use tongs, remote tools, or shielding equipment to minimize direct contact.
    2. Work in designated areas equipped with appropriate radiation shielding (e.g., leaded enclosures).
    3. Minimize exposure by adhering to ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles:
      • Time: Reduce handling time to minimize exposure duration.
      • Distance: Maintain a safe distance using remote tools.
      • Shielding: Use lead shields, glass, or protective barriers.
  3. Airborne Contamination Control:
    1. Handle radioactive powders, liquids, or volatile substances under a fume hood or containment system.
    2. Ensure proper airflow and HEPA filtration to control contamination spread.

4.3 Storage of Radioactive Materials

  1. Storage Area Requirements:
    1. Store radioactive materials in designated, locked, and shielded areas.
    2. Use lead-lined cabinets or containers for gamma and X-ray emitting isotopes.
    3. Post warning signs: “Caution: Radioactive Materials – Authorized Personnel Only.”
  2. Segregation of Isotopes:
    1. Segregate materials by isotope type and activity level.
    2. Separate short-lived isotopes from long-lived isotopes to optimize waste disposal processes.
  3. Inventory Records:
    1. Maintain a radioactive material inventory log (Annexure 1), recording:
      • Material type and isotope
      • Activity level
      • Storage location
      • Date received and disposal records

4.4 Monitoring and Inspection

  1. Radiation Surveys:
    1. Conduct weekly radiation surveys using Geiger counters or other radiation monitors.
    2. Check for surface contamination in storage areas, workstations, and transport containers.
  2. Dosimetry Monitoring:
    1. Ensure all personnel wear dosimeters to monitor cumulative radiation exposure.
    2. Review dosimetry reports monthly to ensure exposure limits are not exceeded.

4.5 Transportation of Radioactive Materials

  1. Use transport containers compliant with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines.
  2. Clearly label transport containers with the radioactive hazard symbol, isotope name, and activity level.
  3. Maintain transport logs (Annexure 2) documenting date, material description, origin, and destination.

4.6 Disposal of Radioactive Waste

  1. Segregation of Waste:
    • Segregate radioactive waste into short-lived and long-lived categories.
    • Store liquid, solid, and gaseous radioactive waste in separate, clearly labeled containers.
  2. Waste Disposal Guidelines:
    1. Decay short-lived isotopes in a shielded area before disposal.
    2. Dispose of long-lived isotopes through licensed radioactive waste disposal agencies.
    3. Maintain detailed disposal records (Annexure 3) for regulatory audits.

4.7 Emergency Procedures

  1. Spill Management:
    1. Evacuate non-essential personnel and restrict access to the area.
    2. Use spill kits containing radiation-absorbent materials to clean minor spills.
    3. Report spills to the Radiation Safety Officer immediately.
  2. Personnel Contamination:
    1. Remove contaminated clothing and wash the affected area thoroughly with water.
    2. Monitor the individual for residual radiation using a survey meter.
    3. Document the incident and seek medical attention if necessary.

5) Abbreviations, if any

  • RSO: Radiation Safety Officer
  • RSDS: Radiation Safety Data Sheet
  • IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency

6) Documents, if any

  • Radioactive Material Inventory Log
  • Radiation Survey Reports
  • Radioactive Waste Disposal Log

7) Reference, if any

  • OSHA Ionizing Radiation Standard (29 CFR 1910.1096)
  • IAEA Radiation Protection and Safety Guidelines
  • EPA Radiation Protection Guidelines

8) SOP Version

Version: 1.0

Annexure

Template 1: Radioactive Material Inventory Log

 
 
 Isotope Activity Level Storage Location Date Received Expiration Date Handled By 
 
 Cobalt-60 20 mCi Storage Area 1 DD/MM/YYYY DD/MM/YYYY Employee Name

Template 2: Radioactive Waste Disposal Log

 
 
 Date Isotope Activity Level Disposal Method Disposed By 
 
 DD/MM/YYYY Cobalt-60 20 mCi Authorized Agency Employee Name