Congratulations! You’ve been appointed as the Radiation Safety Officer. What now? If you’re new to this role, there are a few things you’ll need to do. First, if it hasn’t already been done, submit the necessary documents to have this new appointment reflected on your organization’s radioactive materials license and/or x-ray producing device registrations.
Next, carefully review the limitations and conditions listed in your license and ensure that your organization is operating in accordance with these requirements. It would also be prudent to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the requirements outlined in your organization’s radiation safety program. Consider the following:
- Does the radiation safety program operate effectively? Are there any gaps?
- How does the Radiation Safety Committee function? Who serves on the committee?
- What isotopes are currently being used? And for what purpose?
- What types of survey equipment are available? Is the equipment maintained and calibrated?
- Are any employees included in a radiation dosimetry program? If so, review exposure results.
- Is radioactive waste being generated? If yes, evaluate the radioactive waste program.
- How are users authorized to use radioactive materials?
- Are authorized users periodically trained? Is the training effective?
- Are radioactive materials properly secured?
- Are all x-ray producing devices registered properly?
- Are records maintained as required? Review purchase records, inventory records, training documentation, records of periodic inspections and surveys, records of receipt and disposal, equipment calibration certificates, committee minutes, annual audit records, and so forth.
There are many more questions to ask. The bottom line is this: Is your radiation safety program operating in such a way that maintains compliance with State and Federal regulations while ensuring that radioactive materials used in a safe, secure and responsible manner? Hopefully the answer is yes.
If you are new to this role as RSO or are a seasoned veteran, the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of your radiation safety program is to commission the regulatory-required annual audit of your program. Cravener Consulting Solutions can help you meet this requirement. The audit would meet the requirements set forth in the State of North Carolina regulations 10A NCAC 15, NUREG-1556 – Consolidated Guidance about Materials Licenses, as well as the inspection documents published by the State of North Carolina Radiation Protection Section.
Cravener Consulting Solutions is a fully-insured, veteran-owned small business that is registered with the State of North Carolina Radiation Protection Section as a service provider consultant. I’ve been in the environmental health and safety profession for over 30 years. For 20 of those years, I served successfully as the RSO for 3 organizations in the State of North Carolina managing Broad Scope and Specific licenses including x-ray producing device registrations.
For more information, contact me at [email protected].