ANNUAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST FOR RADIATION REGULATED MATERIAL CHECKLIST PREPARED

School/Centre:

Inspected by:

Date:

In the presence of:

Radiation Regulated Material Number:

Laboratory and fittings conditions

Yes

No

N/A

Observations, Evidence

Signage

A notice is displayed at the entrance to the laboratory or on the apparatus that contains:

• Radiation Caution warning sign

• Location

• RRM number

• RML number

• Emergency contacts (RSS & RSO)

• Other relevant safety signage

Access

Access to laboratory or apparatus is restricted to authorised persons.

Fittings

Joints shall be sealed, made waterproof and located away from sources of contamination (not near sinks or under edges of bench).

Walls shall be smooth and reasonable free of exposed electrical conduits and water and gas pipe.

Benchtops shall have a smooth, waterproof, chemically resistant covering that is easy to clean.

Drainage shall be arranged so that other building areas cannot become contaminated if the drainage system becomes blocked.

Hands-free activated wash basin, safety shower & eye wash facility shall be provided to assist decontamination of personnel.

Shielding

Sealed and unsealed sources and apparatus that emits penetrating ionizing radiation (X-,gamma, beta or neutron radiation) may need to be shielded. The level and type of shielding required depends on the type and energy of the radiation emitted and its intensity.

Work Practices

Yes

No

N/A

Observations, Evidence

PPE

Is appropriate PPE available and worn by personnel working in the facility? This includes gloves, and protective clothing that prevents exposure to the radiation.

Waste

Wastes are

• appropriately stored for decay

• segregated into types (liquid/solid) and radionuclides.

Storage

Regulated material is safely and securely stored if it is not required for immediate use and that total amount of radioactive substances do not exceed the approved level for the laboratory (see appendix).

Storage unit is constructed of durable materials & lockable.

Radiative substances are not stored with explosives, combustible or corrosive materials.

Segregation of work

Laboratories, in which X-ray machines, other radiation producing equipment or sealed radioactive sources are used, shall be dedicated solely to that purpose.

Associated clerical, administrative and other functions shall be in areas separated from radiation laboratory so that workers in these areas will not receive radiation dose in excess of those applicable to members of the public (1mSv/year)

Laboratories in which unsealed radioisotopes are used should be separated from other facilities. Designated laboratory areas where unsealed radioisotopes are used shall be clearly demarcated. Radionuclide counting rooms shall be separated from operational areas and from radionuclide storage areas.

Spills & Emergency

Detailed procedures in the event of a radiation accident are clearly displayed.

Safe Work Procedure

Summary of procedures relating to the safe use of radioactive source is readily available.

Records

Yes

No

N/A

Observations, Evidence

Laboratory Manual

A record of local safety policy on the use of regulated material, in a form of laboratory manual, is readily available in the laboratory.

Training (local induction, level I & II)

All staff and students who use regulated materials must hold the appropriate radiation licence (S5/S8 for Radioactive substances; IA5/IA8 for radiation apparatus) or approval that exempts them for licensing.

People working under Exemption must be:

• Given written Exemption by a GE licence holder

• under appropriate supervision by a GE or G1 licence holder

A list of all people working under exemption must be displayed in the laboratory.

Compliance certification

Diagnostic imaging apparatus (eg: DEXA scanner) is certified by a consulting radiation expert accredited by the Authority:

• Before the apparatus is commissioned

• Within 2 years of initial compliance certification for mammography, fluoroscopy & CT apparatus

• Within 5 years of initial compliance certification for dental radiography and bone mineral density apparatus

• If modifications have been made that affect compliance of the unit

• If the apparatus has been relocated and reassembled

• If the purpose for which the apparatus is used has changed

Monitoring

Personal: appropriate personal monitoring device are available for all personnel who are potentially exposed to penetrating radiation. The records are kept and monitored.

Area: process is in place to conduct regular area swipe tests (either after each experiment for unsealed laboratory or quarterly for radiation apparatus) and that the records are kept and monitored.

Sealed Source Device

Source certificate for sealed radioactive source is available.

SSD must not be used beyond the manufacturer’s recommended working life or 15 years after the date of manufacture if recommendation is not available, unless the Authority has approved the use of the source for a further period.

Movement of regulated material

Records must be kept so that the movement of regulated material from cradle to grave can be tracked, including: purchasing, usage, disposal & transfer.

All records relating to the regulated material must be kept for a period of two years after disposal.

Projects approval

A list of all projects approval is kept.

2016 inspection theme: Purchasing

How do you manage purchasing in your area?

• Procedures to ensure that unsealed sources are only ordered and received by appropriately licenced individuals

• Procedures to ensure that the ordered source is covered under an RSC approved project

• Good records of usage and disposal of each purchased source

• Good records of any sources transferred to other approved individuals. One needs to check that the person you are giving the radiochemical come from an appropriate institution and are appropriately licenced.

Feedback from facility

Any concerns from facility personnel regarding compliance to certification conditions: training, user behaviour, inspection, etc.

Schedule 1 Group

Low Level Laboratory

Medium Level Laboratory

High Level Laboratory

Group 1 radionuclides

<0.2 MBq

0.2 MBq to 20 MBq

>20 MBq

Group 2 radionuclides

<20 MBq

20 MBq to 2 GBq

>2 GBq

Group 3 radionuclides

<2 GBq

2 GBq to 0.2 TBq

>0.2 TBq

Group 4 radionuclides

<0.2 TBq

0.2 TBq to 20 TBq

>20 TBq