Procedure to Become a Radioactive Materials Worker

Stage One

1. Notify the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) of your intention to become a radioactive material worker by completing a "Radiation Worker Sign Up" form. This form may be obtained from the Environmental Health Office at 029 Lyman Hall, ext. 4132.
2. If you have ever been monitored for radiation exposure or are currently being monitored for radiation exposure at another institution complete a "Radiation Exposure History Request" form. This signed form will allow the University to request and receive your exposure history from the other institution.
3. Sign out a copy of the University's Radiation Protection Program Handbook and read it to familiarize yourself with the terms and concepts of radiation protection. Particular emphasis should be placed on understanding rules and regulations for using radioactive materials at Syracuse University.
4. Schedule a time with the Radiation Safety staff, ext. 9130, to view videotapes on the safe use and handling of radioactive materials, radiation hazards and associated risks, and emergency procedures. These tapes may be viewed at EHO during normal working hours.
5. If you have previously used radioactive materials in applications similar to those anticipated to be used at SU:
   • Summarize your experience in writing and submit it to the RSO for review, including dates, locations, isotopes, activities, and an explanation of related experimentation.
   • take a preliminary examination which will evaluate your knowledge with respect to radiation safety, associated hazards and the use of radioactive materials.
   • Upon satisfactory completion of the examination and authorization from the RSO, you will be granted a conditional approval to work with radioactive materials in the laboratory under direct supervision and may begin completing the Stage Two training requirements. Dosimetry will be issued to monitor your external radiation exposure (as applicable).
   • The retention of the conditional approval is contingent upon your attendance at the next radiation worker training class and the completion of the remaining Stage One requirements. If these requirements are not met with in 3 months of obtaining conditional approval, your conditional approval will be revoked until the requirements are completed.
   • If you do not satisfactorily complete the examination or if the RSO determines that your previous experience is insufficient for your intended radioactive material use at SU, conditional approval will not be granted until completion of all Stage One training requirements.

6. Attend the next Radioactive Material Worker Training Session (offered as needed, approximately 4 times a year) . This session covers rules, regulations, and procedures as well as proper surveying methods and monitoring devices. This session generally lasts for three hours and is mandatory for every new open source, radioactive materials worker.
7. Take an examination which evaluates your knowledge of the elements of the University's Radiation Protection Program, general radioactive materials use, biological effects, associated hazards, related rules and regulations, and radiation terminology.
8. Schedule a meeting with the RSO to review your test results and go over any questions you may have.
9. Upon the successful completion of these requirements you will be conditionally approved as a radioactive material worker. Work with radioactive material may be performed only under direct supervision by an approved radiation worker. Dosimetry will be issued to monitor your external radiation exposure (as applicable).
   

   Stage Two

10. Prior to using any radioactive materials in the laboratory, complete a radioactive material laboratory orientation with your radioactive material supervisor or an approved radiation worker. Document this training on the "Laboratory Orientation" form and return the completed form to the RSO, 029 Lyman Hall..
11. Complete 40 hours of supervised on the-job training as related to radioactive materials and/or processes and document this training on the "Supervised Training" form. This training should be completed within 4 months of obtaining conditional approval. If additional time is necessary, a written request must be submitted to the RSO. Return the completed form to the RSO. If you have documented adequate, previous experience using radioactive materials in applications similar to those anticipated to be used at SU, some or all of the required 40 hours of supervised training may be waived at the discretion of the RSO.
12. Once you have satisfactorily completed the above process, you will be granted approved radioactive material worker status. The status may be continued perpetually by completing the required annual refresher training.

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