Part 150: Organizational Structure

• 150.10 Introduction
• 150.20 The Radiation Safety Committee
• 150.30 The Radiation Safety Committee Chairperson
• 150.40 The Radiation Safety Officer

150.10 Introduction

The authority and inherent responsibilities of a comprehensive radiation safety program are delegated to the Radiation Safety Committee. The authority and responsibilities of the Radiation Safety Committee are listed below. A certain portion of the committee's authority and responsibility is assigned to the radiation safety officer or designee. The individual user is accountable for the safe operation of his/her activities involving the use of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment according to procedures specified in this manual and by the Radiation Safety Committee.

150.20 The Radiation Safety Committee

1. The Radiation Safety Committee is responsible for all matters pertaining to the formulation, administration, and operation of a comprehensive radiation safety program at the University of Idaho. This committee shall also provide consultation to the individual researcher concerning safety procedures when using radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment.

2. The committee has the authority to approve or disapprove of any proposed use of radioactive material or radiation-producing equipment; to stop and prevent any existing use of radioactive material or radiation-producing equipment, and; to approve or disapprove of, or prevent, an individual to possess, store or use radioactive materials.

3. The committee shall be composed of the radiation safety committee chairperson, radiation safety officer, budget director, safety officer, an academic dean or department chair, and up to eight technical members with broad representation from various departments using sources of radiation. A technical member must meet the requirements of an authorized user and either be an active user of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment or have previously been an active user of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment. The radiation safety officer, budget officer, and safety officer shall be permanent voting members.

4. To provide the necessary expertise and continuity of operation, the radiation safety committee chairperson and technical members may serve consecutive terms. Two members, who have served the normal three-year term, will be allowed to continue to serve on the committee.

5. A quorum shall consist of the radiation safety committee chairperson, radiation safety officer, budget officer, and a minimum of four technical members.

6. The Radiation Safety Committee shall meet as required to discharge its obligations, but at least quarterly.

7. The Radiation Safety Committee shall conduct an annual review of the radiation safety program. This review shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
   1. An examination of personnel dosimetry results.

   2. An evaluation of Nuclear Regulatory Commission, state and radiation safety officer inspections.

   3. An evaluation of the compliance by users with radiation safety requirements.

   4. A performance evaluation of the radiation safety officer.

   5. An assessment of the radiation safety manual requirements.

   6. An evaluation of any reported accidents or incidents.

   7. An assessment of the review process used to evaluate applications to use radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment, and the limits authorized thereby.

   8. An audit of the university's ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) policy and program, to insure exposures and effluent releases are maintained at a minimum.

The Radiation Safety Committee will take action to correct any observed deficiencies or inadequacies in the university's radiation safety program.

150.30 The Radiation Safety Committee Chairperson

1. The primary duties of the chairperson shall be to schedule and chair all meetings of the Radiation Safety Committee and to ensure that license applications are promptly processed.

2. The chairperson will be selected each spring by the current members of this committee to serve for the next school year (starting August 1). In addition, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must also approve the selection of the chairperson.

3. The chairperson will provide an annual evaluation of the radiation safety officer's performance to the director of human resources and risk management.

4. The term of office is for one year. The chairperson may serve two consecutive terms.

150.40 The Radiation Safety Officer

1. The radiation safety officer is the secretary of the Radiation Safety Committee, and as such maintains records of the committee's proceedings and decisions.

2. He/she is responsible for implementing the policies of the committee.

3. Requests for approval of new uses of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment or requests to modify existing programs shall be submitted to the Radiation Safety Committee through the radiation safety officer.

4. Specific duties of the radiation safety officer include the following:
   1. Provide consultation services related to the radiation safety program to all personnel.

   2. Provide training courses or other instruction in radiation safety for students and employees.

   3. Investigate incidents involving radioactive materials, radiation-producing equipment, or exposure to radiation, and assist with decontamination procedures when necessary.

   4. Reports accidents, exposures, and/or incidents as required by Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations.

   5. Coordinate personal dosimetry services for individuals as needed.

   6. Receive radioactive materials sent to the university and deliver to the appropriate user.

   7. Maintain an inventory of all radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment at the university.

   8. Conduct leak tests of sealed sources as required.

   9. Conduct inspections and surveys of laboratories and facilities where radiation hazards may exist to insure compliance.

   10. Arrange for calibration of instruments used by radiation safety personnel.

   11. Maintain all records pertinent to the radiation safety program.

   12. Provide for storage of all radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment not currently in use.

   13. Coordinate the packaging and shipping of all radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment leaving the university.

   14. Provide for proper disposal of radioactive materials.

   15. Update the committee and authorized users of regulatory changes as appropriate.

   16. Serve as liaison to the regulatory agencies.

5. The radiation safety officer or designee shall have the right to enter any laboratory or area using radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment for the purpose of fulfilling the duties of this position.

6. The radiation safety officer may delegate some of his/her responsibilities and duties to other Environmental Health and Safety personnel provided these employees have been properly trained and have been approved by the radiation safety officer.

7. Line of supervision is to the safety officer, then the director of human resources and risk management, and then the financial vice-president.