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

Original Implementation: September 1, 1974
Last Revision: July 15, 2003

The purchase, receipt and storage of radioactive or radiation producing materials or equipment is closely monitored and controlled through the University's Radiation Safety Officer. Individuals of various departments ordering radioactive or radiation producing materials or equipment should follow the procedures outlined below with the assistance of the Radiation Safety Officer.

Purchase of Radioactive Material/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 pursuant to part 41 of the Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation, Radioactive Materials License #L05191.

Prior to ordering radioactive material, it shall be the responsibility of the licensee or authorized user to assure that appropriate storage facilities are available and radioactive waste disposal procedures implemented. Such facilities and the procedures for disposal of any radioactive wastes must have written approval from the University Radiation Safety Officer, to insure compliance with the Texas Regulations for the Control of Radiation, prior to the arrival of the radioactive material on campus.

All "Purchase Requisitions" for radioactive material must be identified by completing the on-line purchase requisition with Requisition Type 'DR'.

The 'DR' Requisition Type will drive the requisition to the University Radiation Safety Officer for electronic approval to assure compliance with license conditions before processing by the Purchasing Department. The department will be responsible to contact the University Radiation Safety Officer by phone or email and advise of the requisition number that needs approval.

The Radiation Safety Officer shall be notified of the receipt of such materials by the authorized user within eighteen (18) hours of receipt.

2. Radiation Producing Equipment. No person may order radiation generating equipment unless he is authorized as a designated user on the special or general license issued pursuant to part 41 of the Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation, Registrations #R003844 and #Z00247L.

Prior to ordering radiation generating equipment, it shall be the responsibility of the licensee or authorized user to assure that adequate facilities have been provided. Such facilities and the procedures for use of the equipment and training for the users must have written approval from the University Radiation Safety Officer, to insure compliance with the Texas Regulations for the Control of Radiation, prior to the arrival of the radiation generating equipment on campus.

"Purchase Requisitions" for any equipment which produces ionizing radiation, including but not limited to lasers, microwave generators, and x-ray generators of all types including diffraction, fluorescence, medical, industrial, atomic absorption, etc., must be identified by completing the on-line purchase requisition with Requisition Type 'DR'. The 'DR' Requisition Type will drive the requisition to the University Radiation Safety Officer for electronic approval to assure compliance with license requirements prior to processing by the Purchasing Department. The department will be responsible to contact the University Radiation Safety Officer by phone or email and advise of the requisition number that needs approval.

The Radiation Safety Officer must be notified of the receipt of such equipment by the authorized user within eighteen (18) hours of receipt.

Receipt and Storage of Radioactive Materials

1. Storage of Sources of Radiation. Sources of ionizing radiation must be secured against unauthorized removal from an authorized place of storage at all times during receipt, delivery, and use on campus. See the University Radiation Safety Manual and the Texas Radioactive Materials License, available from the University Radiation Safety Officer, for details. The authorized users of radioactive materials and radiation generators are designated on the Radioactive Materials License #L05191 and Registrations #R03844 and #Z00247L.

2. Procedures for Picking Up, Receiving and Opening Packages.

  1. Only a person authorized by the RSO may pick up and receive radioactive materials.

  2. Each authorized user expecting to receive a package containing radioactive material must conform to the following procedures.

    1. If the package is to be delivered to Central Receiving by the carrier, make arrangements to promptly pick up the package upon notification of arrival. Central Receiving personnel must not re-deliver radioactive material.

    2. If the package is to be picked up by an authorized user at the carrier's terminal, make arrangements to receive notification of arrival. In such cases the authorized user must promptly render a receiving report to the Purchasing Department.

    3. If the package is to be delivered outside of normal working hours, the authorized user must make arrangements to take delivery and survey the integrity of the package on receipt.

  3. Each authorized user who picks up a package of radioactive material from a carrier's terminal must pick up the package expeditiously upon notification from the carrier.

  4. Each authorized user, upon receipt of a package of radioactive material, must survey the external surfaces of the package for radioactive contamination caused by leakage of the radioactive contents. The monitoring must be performed as soon as practical after receipt, but no later than three (3) hours after the package is received during the licensee's normal working hours, or eighteen (18) hours if received after normal working hours. Notice that the radioactive material has been received by the user must be sent to the University Radiation Safety Officer accompanied by a completed "Radioactive Material Receiving Survey" form within eighteen (18) hours of receipt.

  5. If contamination is found on the external surface of the package, the University Radiation Safety Officer shall be notified immediately at 468-6908 or leave a message at 468-3606 or contact the University Police Department at 468-2608. UPD maintains a list of radiation users to call in case of emergency and will be responsible for contacting those persons.

Source of Authority: V.T.C.S., art. 4590f et seq.; 25 TAC 289.1 et seq.; President

Cross Reference: Purchase Requisition, Policy C-30 ; Special Purchases, Policy C-36

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 Form; 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.