STEP 1 - Complete necessary training
STEP 2 - Complete appropriate application
STEP 3 - Receive approval letter from OEHS/Radiation Safety Committee
Training Requirements for Individuals Working with or in the Vicinity of Sources of Radiation
Federal and State regulations require that all individuals working with, as well as in the vicinity of licensed material or radiation producing equipment, must have adequate training and experience. Basic radiation safety training must be provided by the licensee (represented by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety).
Good training is the key to reducing and maintaining low exposures to individuals.
Training allows an individual to make informed decisions regarding the acceptance of risk as part of his or her job and to use protective methods that will keep doses As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), thus minimizing risks.
The following individuals must receive radiation safety instruction:
- individuals who work with radioactive materials as part of their job or
- routinely work with radioactive patients or
- could receive a radiation dose that is equal to or greater than 10% of any applicable dose limit
You must receive instruction
- before assuming duties with or in the vicinity of radioactive materials or radiation producing equipment
- during annual refresher training and
- whenever there is a significant change in duties, regulation, and terms of the license or type of radioactive material or therapy device used.
Individuals who have not completed training are not allowed to work independently with radioactive material. They may, however, work under the direct supervision of their Principal Investigator, Qualified User or Authorized User until they have completed their training requirements.
Individuals with no previous experience working with radioactive material.
These individuals must satisfactorily complete the following:
- Radiation Safety Training Course (RSTC)
- Radiation Safety Training Course Examination
- An application for the category of user desired
The RSTC is a live lecture that is provided on a monthly basis. The course schedule is provided on the OEHS website. The Radiation Safety Guide Lecture is part of this course.
Individuals with previous experience
The Radiation Safety Training Course may be waived at the sole discretion of the RSO, or the Alternate RSO, based on the following:
The individual supplies documentation of training from the institution at which he or she was authorized to use radioactive material. A letter from that institution’s RSO or Radiation Protection Manager (RPM) must be provided that contains the following information:
- A statement attesting that the individual attended and completed the Radiation Safety Training Course offered by that facility
- A copy, or description, of the course syllabus
- Duration of the course in hours
- Date of the course
- The RSO, or RPM, signature
- This letter must be dated
The RSO is not bound to accept previous training even upon satisfactory evidence that a previous course was completed. Reasons for not waiving attendance at the UVA RSTC may be that the earlier training was not of sufficient scope or was over 7 years in the past.
If documentation of previous training is accepted and attendance at the UVa RSTC is waived, the individual will be required to satisfactorily complete the following:
- Radiation Safety Guide Lecture
- Radiation Safety Guide Lecture Examination
- An application for the category of user type desired
Individuals who are certified by any of the following boards
- American Board of Health Physics
- American Board of Medical Physics
- American Board of Radiology
- American Board of Nuclear Medicine
- American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine
- Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties in Nuclear Pharmacy
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in nuclear medicine
- American Osteopathic Board of Radiology
- American Osteopathic Board of Nuclear Medicine
- Radiation Safety Guide Lecture
- Radiation Safety Guide Lecture Examination
- An application for the category of user desired
Individuals attending, or who have attended, radiation safety training provided by the Radiological Physics Division of the Radiation Oncology Department These individuals must satisfactorily complete the following:
- Radiation Safety Guide Lecture and Examination
- An application for the category of user type desired
Other individuals who may require training
Ancillary personnel such as housekeeping staff, dishwashers, etc. may require radiation safety training under certain conditions. Individuals working with blood bank irradiators or other special sources may require specialized training. OEHS provides customized training for these groups of individuals. Please contact OEHS for further information if you think you fall into this category.
Before an individual can become authorized for use, they must register with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (2-4911) and complete an application for use. These applications are available on-line through our website or by calling the office at 2-4911. You must return your completed application to our office for review and approval.Blank copies of application forms
Copies of the most current revision of each application are available on the OEHS Radiation Safety Program homepage http://keats.admin.virginia.edu/rad/rad_forms.html or can be obtained by calling the Office of Environmental Health & Safety at 2-4911.Authorizations
Principal Investigator, Qualified User and Authorized User
Applications for the Principal Investigator must be signed by an existing PI who serves as a sponsor for the person making the application. For the QU, the application must be signed by the applicant’s PI. The application will be reviewed by the Radiation Safety Officer, Alternate RSO and two members of the RSC. If approved during this initial review, the Chairman of the RSC will approve the application.
Applications for Authorized User (along with a preceptor statement) must be submitted to OEHS to document that the individual meets the training criteria specified in Part 35. The application must be approved and the individual must be designated an Authorized User by the Radiation Safety Committee.General User
The GU application must be signed by the applicant’s PI or AU. The application is reviewed by the RSO or Alternate RSO, and if approved, is sent to the Chairman of the RSC for final approval.Radiation Safety Committee Letter of Approval
The Office of Environmental Health & Safety will review all applications for completeness and ensure that the necessary training requirements have been met. The RSO and/or RSC must approve all applications.
Upon approval of your application, you will receive a letter from the Chairman of the RSC authorizing you to work with radioactive material or radiation producing equipment at the University of Virginia. You are encouraged to use the Office of Environmental & Safety as a resource. If you have any questions regarding the use of radioactive material or radiation producing equipment, please feel free to contact our office.