Radiation Work Location Setup

Preparing your area for radioactive material work will require an assessment of placement and organization of your work process, as well as materials and equipment.  Radiation Safety can provide consulting services as well as some materials.

The ideal placement and organization of radioactive material workstations varies on a case-by-case basis. A member of our staff will provide guidance for setting up the workstation, and will post the authorized work location(s) and place labels on items which will be used for radioactive work purposes.

Radiation Safety will supply primary radioactive waste containers (e.g. waste bags, liquid waste bottles). However, the secondary containment requirements will be the responsibility of the Responsible Users. Secondary containment is a method where one or more primary storage containers are surrounded to collect any hazardous and/or radioactive material spillage in the event of loss of integrity or container failure from the primary container. This method is used to prevent or minimize the possibility of accidental release as well as to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations dealing with radioactive material storage.

You will likely be required to purchase a radiation detection instrument. It is best to ask our staff for a recommendation. We can save you money, time, and frustration by recommending the appropriate instrument. We will do the initial postings in your laboratory and can provide a temporary loaner radiation detector until the Responsible User acquires their own.

Responsible Users will be responsible for acquiring any necessary station shielding material for work stations, source containers, and waste collection areas. Consult with our staff members to determine if any shielding material would be necessary. If it is determined that shielding is necessary, work with Radiation Safety to determine the type, amount, and placement of this shielding.