Laboratory instructions should be distributed and posted in all research areas where the radioactive materials are being used for experimental or teaching purposes.

Personnel must:

• Wear laboratory coats or other protective clothing at all times in areas where radioactive materials are used.
• Wear disposable gloves at all times while handling radioactive material.
• Monitor their hands for contamination in a low-background area after each procedure and before leaving the work area.
• Not eat, drink smoke in areas where radioactive materials are stored or used.
• Not store food, drink, or personal effects in areas where radioactive materials are used.
• Use of monitoring badges. However, if low energy Beta-emitter (35S and 14C are used, then the use of radiation badges is not necessary.
• Dispose of radioactive waste only in designated, labeled and properly shielded receptacles.
• NEVER pipette by mouth.
• Wipe test all areas weekly for possible contamination. If necessary, decontamination or secure the area for decay.
• Not store both foods and radioactive materials in the same refrigerator.
• Confine radioactive solutions in shielded containers that are clearly labeled.
• Secure all radioactive material when not under the constant surveillance and immediate control of the authorized users.
• Dispose all potential contaminated items (glassware's, gloves, disposal pipets etc.) into label "HOT WASTE" bottles. Records of all disposed materials must be maintained and submitted to laboratory supervisor.
• Not move any equipment items, or materials without permission of an designated laboratory supervisor.
• Consult the laboratory supervisor for procedures before cleaning any contaminated equipment or other items.
• Label all radioactive preparations properly. Each item must bear the following information: name of the radioisotope, amount, date prepared and individuals name.

• Survey will be conducted and recorded in all work areas with a Geiger counter or other appropriate monitoring equipment only after performing experiment using radio-active materials.
• Weekly surveys will be conducted and logged with a liquid scintillation counter using wiping test, if and only if an experiment is performed.
• All radioactive materials must be stored and/or used in one of the following approved locations:
1. Room 129, James Hall (sealed sources only), Physics Department
2. Room 214, James Hall (sealed sources only), Physics Department
3. Room 120, Fisher Hall, Animal Science Department
4. Room 213, Health Research Center, Molecular Biology Laboratory
5. Rooms 206, 222, 255 and 223  Health Research Center
6. Room 109, Lee Hall

 Radioactive material can be used only at the following locations:

• Room 119, Fisher hall
• Room 213, Health Research Center , Molecular Biology Laboratory
• Rooms 129 and 214 (sealed sources only), James Hall, Physics Department
• Rooms 222, 223 and 206, Health Research Center

These laboratories are equipped with fume hoods (except for 129 and 214 James Hall), liquid scintillation counters, storage containers, and appropriate shielding.

• Individuals who intend to use radioactive material in the course of research or teaching activities must submit a user-project application to the Campus Radiation Safety Officer for approval.
• An individual must receive approval before an order for radioactive materials can be placed. All requisitions for radioactive materials orders MUST include the approval and signature or the Campus Radiation Safety Officer. A radiation-control record form is to be submitted along with the purchase requisition to ensure that the license limits for the possession of an isotope will not be forwarded to Campus Radiation Safety Officer.
• Radioactive materials are to be delivered directly to the Campus Radiation Safety Officer. The Campus Radiation Safety Officer records the shipment on appropriate campus form which include the name of the user, the location at which the isotope will be used, the amount of the radioisotope, and the date of receipt.
• The individual user is expected to maintain records of withdrawals from stock, application on each research experiment or teaching activity, and disposal. Copies of user's records are to be submitted to the Campus Radiation Safety Officer on a quarterly basis.
• Storage of and the amount of radioactive waste materials should be reported to the Campus Radiation Safety Officer by each user.
• Working surfaces and protective clothing are to be surveyed for contamination at the end of each experimental work period, or at any time you suspect a spill. Reports of contamination must be filed with appropriate individuals immediately.

All radioactive materials delivered directly to the Campus Radiation Safety Officer will be examined by the Campus Radiation Safety Officer. These examinations will include measurement of radiation levels at the exterior of the package to determine the surface exposure rate, verification of the shippers label, wipe testing the exterior of the package to ascertain whether removable contamination is present, wipe testing of the interior of the package to check for removable contamination, examination of the contents to establish that the innermost container is intact, and determining the unshielded exposure rate for the innermost package to establish suggested handling precautions for the user.

Training required for persons to use radioactive materials in teaching and research projects varies with the nature of the hazards involved. Inexperienced users must work under the direction of trained personnel. Inexperienced users will be required to take formal or short courses in traces methodology, radiation safety, mathematical calculation of radioactivity, and determination of biological effects of the relevant radiation are required before beginning work with any radioactive materials.

Individuals Radiation-exposure history readout from dosimeters are kept on file in room 129 James Hall.

• Evacuate contaminated areas immediately
• Appropriately assist anyone who is injured.
• Turn hoods, electricity, and water off and close doors before leaving contaminated areas.
• Report to the following officers immediately:
1. Radiation Safety Officer, Dr. Ali R. Fazely 771-2077 or 3070, ali_fazely@subr.edu
2. Assistant RSO, Dr. R. Gunasingha 771-2077, phguna@feynman.phys.subr.edu
3. University Police   771-2770
4. University Safety Officer (August Arnould)  ph#: 771-4744, pager: 952-3733
5. Medical Emergency 771-4770

• Check with the Radiation Safety Officer before reentering decontaminated areas or using decontaminated equipment.

No experiments involving the utilization of radioisotopes in animals will be carried out on the Southern University Campus.

All radioactive-waste materials are or can be stored in the following locations at SU campus:

• Room 129, James Hall, Physics Department (sealed sources only)
• Room 214, James Hall, Physics Department (sealed sources only)
• Room 120, Fisher Hall, Animal Science Department
• Room 213, Health Research Center, Molecular Biology Laboratory
• Rooms 222, 223 and 206, 225Health Research Center

Procedure and guidance of waste disposal will be established and implemented according to waste disposal procedures published in Appendix R of Regulatory Guide 10.8 Revision 2.

A. Persons conducting research or instruction using radioactive materials must:

• Be qualified to work with radioactive materials
• Identify appropriate research material required for research
• Provide adequate space, storage, containers, and other equipment required to provide a safe working environment.
• Establish normal and emergency shut down procedures
• Implement a record keeping process which will indicate the amount of radioactive materials ordered, used, in holding areas and disposed of (to include how, where and when if removed from the campus.)
• Make sure that all areas where radioactive material is being used are properly marked by the appropriate radioactive symbol.
• Sealed sources for instruction or research can be checked out from room 129 James Hall.

B. Procedure for ordering materials:

• Prepare purchase order
• Get approvals from the appropriate chairperson, dean, vice-chancellor for academic affairs and the Campus Radiation Safety Officer
• Inform the Campus Safety officer