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Radioactive or Radiation-Producing Materials or Equipment (D-27)

Original Implementation: September 1, 1974
Last Revision: April 17, 2012

The purchase, receipt, and storage of radioactive or radiation-producing materials or equipment is supervised by the university's radiation safety officer or the authorized designee. Authorized users of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment must be designated on the radioactive materials license and registrations.

  1. Purchase of Radioactive Material or Radiation-Producing Equipment

    1. Radioactive Materials

      No person may order radioactive materials unless authorized as a designated user on the special or general license issued to Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). Prior to ordering radioactive material, it shall be the responsibility of the licensee or authorized user to ensure that appropriate storage facilities will be available and that radioactive waste disposal procedures will be implemented. A requisition using the commodity code for radiation shall be completed prior to any purchase of radioactive material. The radiation safety officer shall be notified of the requisition’s submission and must either approve or deny the purchase, prescribe the location of delivery and receipt of the material, and notify the authorized user of its arrival within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.

    2. Radiation-Producing Equipment

      University personnel shall not order radiation-generating equipment unless authorized as a designated user on the special or general license issued to SFA. Prior to ordering radiation-generating equipment, the licensee or authorized user shall ensure that adequate facilities are available and approval from the radiation safety officer has been received in order to ensure compliance with the Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation (25 TAC § 289). Purchase requisitions for any equipment that produces ionizing radiation shall be identified using the commodity code for radiation. At least four weeks prior to delivery, the authorized user must provide the make and model number of the equipment as well as the building and room number of intended location for the equipment. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, lasers, and microwave and x-ray generators of all types (e.g., diffraction, fluorescence, medical, industrial, atomic absorption, etc.). The radiation safety officer shall either approve or deny the purchase. The radiation safety officer shall be notified of the receipt of the equipment and expected date of activation.

  2. Receiving, Transporting, and Storing Radioactive Materials

    1. Receiving and Transporting Radioactive Materials

      1. Only persons authorized by the radiation safety officer may receive radioactive materials.
      2. Radioactive material shall be received under the following guidelines:

        1. No package shall be delivered to Central Receiving by the carrier. All radioactive material other than equipment shall be delivered to a location determined by the radiation safety officer.

        2. Prior approval of the radiation safety officer is required if the package is to be delivered outside normal working hours.

      3. Upon receipt of radioactive material, each authorized user shall survey the external surfaces of the package for radioactive contamination caused by leakage. The monitoring shall be performed as soon as practical after receipt of the material, but no later than three (3) hours after the package is received during the licensee's normal working hours, or within twenty-four (24) hours if received after normal working hours. The radiation safety officer shall be notified within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of radioactive material through a "Non-Commercial Radioactive Materials Shipment and Receipt form.
      4. If contamination is found on the external surface of the package, the radiation safety officer and the University Police Department shall be notified immediately. The University Police Department shall be responsible for contacting the appropriate authorities.
      5. Only persons authorized by the radiation safety officer may transport radioactive materials by vehicle.

    2. Storing Radioactive Materials

      1. Sources of ionizing radiation shall be secured against unauthorized removal from an authorized place of storage during receipt, delivery, and use on campus.
      2. Each designated user shall be responsible for compliance with the university radiation safety policies and with the Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation (25 TAC § 289).




Cross Reference: Tex. Health & Safety Ch. 401; 25 Tex. Admin. Code § 289; Purchase Requisition (C-30)

Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Contact For Revision: Radiation Safety Officer

Forms: Application to Use Radioactive Material for Teaching or Research; Statement of Training and Agreement with Policies; Non-Commercial Radioactive Material Shipment and Receipt; Radioactive Material Receipt and Disposal; Radioactive Waste for Pick-Up by the Radiation Safety Officer; Quarterly Inventory; Leak-Test and Inventory Record; Legal Storage Placed - Building Maps. All forms may be obtained from the radiation safety officer.

Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs