THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE SCHOOL of BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE PROCEDURE NO: BS-GDP 018 MOD: 3 rd Issue Page: 1 of 5 Procedure Type: General Discipline Procedure 1. Risk Assessment: This Risk Assessment is to be used as a general guide and as such, cannot accommodate all the varying factors that may be encountered when using this procedure. Therefore, personnel are requested to conduct their own Risk Assessment before using this procedure to include any extra hazards introduced by the task performed. TASK PERFORMED Performing routine procedures in the Radiation Laboratory. This procedure concentrates specifically on the forms which must be completed, the monitoring of areas both before and after use, decontamination of any radioactive areas, and daily disposal of waste. HAZARDS 1. Radioactivity 2. Chemical Hazard associated with the nature of the specific chemical isotope 3. Hazards specific to the Procedure being performed RISK ASSESSMENT 1. The risk from radioactivity should be low. The procedures outlined here are specifically designed to reduce the risk of working with radioactive isotopes. 2. The risk from any chemical product and the risk from specific procedures cannot be assessed here. A separate Risk Assessment should be completed. RISK CONTROL 1. Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is worn. This includes labcoat and enclosed shoes, double layers of vinyl gloves and safety glasses. 2. Shield all areas where radiation is in use and lab workers are at risk from exposure to radiation. 1cm perspex shielding is recommended for use as shielding from 32 P and 35 S. No shielding is required for use with 3 H. WRITTEN BY CHECKED BY REVIEWED BY AUTHORISED BY NAME (signed) Lynn Herd Helen Carpenter Lynn Herd DATE 2 nd April 2003 11th August 2004 27 th February 2006 Distributed To: GDP Master file / GDP Lab file
Page: 2 of 5 3. Perform a Risk Assessment for each chemical compound introduced into the laboratory after accessing and reading the MSDS associated with the chemical. 4. Perform a Risk Assessment for each procedure used in the Radiation Laboratory. 5. All persons dealing directly with Radioactive Substances should undertake a Radiation Safety Course or be under the direct supervision of a person who has completed this course. 2. Purpose: 2.1. To describe the procedure for the routine use of the Radiation Laboratory 3. Equipment: N/A 4. Materials: 4.1. Guidelines for the Handling of Radioactivity and Procedures for the Radioisotope Laboratory - by Lynn Herd 13/2/2006. (attached to Radiation Safety Procedure GDP 008). 4.2. The University of Newcastle Radiation Safety Manual (revised October 2004) 5. Methods and Safety Precautions: 5.1. All researchers intending to use radioactive materials are to be inducted into the Radiation Laboratory before commencing work with radiation. 5.2. Personal protective equipment as required in the Radiation Safety Procedure must be worn at all times when in the Radiation Laboratory. This equipment includes laboratory gown, protective shoes, vinyl gloves and safety glasses. All persons working in the Radiation Laboratory should have been issued with a TLD (a type of Personal Exposure Monitoring Badge). This badge must be worn when in the Radiation Laboratory. 5.3. A Risk Assessment must be performed for all work to be carried out in the Radiation laboratory. It is the responsibility of all workers and their supervisors to ensure that an appropriate Risk Assessment has been completed, and that any Controls are acted upon. 6. Procedure 6.1. Hot-Lab Setup 6.1.1. Prior to commencing any experimental work, use the Radiation Monitor to monitor the Bay which you intend to use.
Page: 3 of 5 6.1.2. Fill in the log sheet on the main access door of the Hot Lab. Data should include your name, the date, the isotope to be used, and the result of the monitoring of the Bay. 6.1.3. If the Bay is found to be clear of contamination, proceed with your work. If the Bay is found to be contaminated, then refer to the Radiation Safety Procedure BS-GDP 008 Attachment, for the options to follow. 6.1.4. Set up the Bay for use. Place benchcoat over all areas. If using the Perspex workareas, then these function as secondary containment for your experiment. If not using the perspex workareas, then ensure that all work is performed in a tray as secondary containment. 6.1.5. Shielding should be inserted between persons in the laboratory and any sources of radiation. A 1cm thickness of perspex is considered to be adequate shielding for beta radiation. Please consider whether the radiation is sufficiently shielded by the perspex workarea, or whether additional shielding needs to be placed at the sides to protect persons working at adjacent Bays. 6.1.6. Place small plastic containers into the workarea to be used for the collection of either liquid or solid radioactive waste as it is generated in the experiment. 6.1.7. The radiation monitor should be in an easily accessible position should it be needed during the experimental work. 6.1.8. It may be necessary to use specific pieces of equipment during your experiment. Prior to their use monitor the equipment for any contamination from previous users. Again, if equipment is found to be contaminated, then follow the procedure in the Radiation Safety Procedure. Record the results on the log sheet. 6.2. Proceed with Experiment 6.2.1. Proceed with your experimental work. All work should be conducted in such a way as to minimise contamination, and using the minimum amount of radiation necessary. Follow the ALARA principle. (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) 6.3. Post Experiment Clean-up 6.3.1. At the conclusion of your experiment, clear the workarea of materials and equipment. Radioactive waste should be placed in the waste bins located behind the grey perspex doors in the back corner of the laboratory. Waste including the benchcoat used, should be placed into the appropriate container for the isotope used, and according to whether it is liquid or solid.
Page: 4 of 5 6.3.2. Record the quantities of radioactive waste generated on the Radiation Waste form found in the Current Forms folder, top drawer. 6.3.3. Monitor all equipment which has been used with the experiment. This includes the equipment regularly kept in the Radiation Laboratory such as frypan, microfuge, vortex and waterbath, and any equipment which has been brought to the laboratory, such as pipettes, racks etc. Record the results on the log sheet. 6.3.4. Decontaminate any equipment which has a reading above the background level of the laboratory. The usual procedure is to wipe the article with 7X detergent, and then rinse clean with water. This may be repeated as required. Should the contamination be difficult to shift, then the offending piece of equipment may be soaked overnight in 7X then rinsed and monitored the following day. 6.3.5. After removing all material and equipment from the Bay, monitor the workarea for contamination. Clean any spots found using the method as in 7.3.4. Record the final results on the log sheet. 7. Maintenance: 7.1. Ensure that the information in this GDP is current. Contact the Radiation Safety Officer if any part of the procedure has changed. 7.2. Visit the Radiation Safety Manual site on the Universities' web page for update information: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/services/ousr/hrm/radiate/intro.htm 8. Shutdown: 8.1. If you were required to read this GDP, sign the Requested Reading Record Sheet (Illustration 5.2) of BS-GDP 001 Induction Procedure. 9. Check List: 9.1. Necessary Records have been signed. 10. References: 10.1. Guidelines for the Handling of Radioactivity and Procedures for the Radioisotope Laboratory. Attachment to BS-GDP 008 10.2. The University of Newcastle Radiation Safety Manual. 11. Change History: 11.1. Issue Number: 1st Issue Date Issued:
Page: 5 of 5 11.2. Issue Number: 2nd Issue Date Issued: 18th May 2004 Reason for change: Addition of Risk Assessment 11.3. Issue Number: 3 rd Issue Date Issued: Reason for change: Change to minor detail; addition of Radiation Induction information