The Safe Use of Ionizing Radiation on the NEOMED Campus

Policy Number: 3349-R-655
Effective Date: 04/04/2018
Updated: —
Reviewed: —
Responsible Departments: ORSP, Compliance (EOHS)
Approval Authority: VP Research

A. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is provide a research work environment that is free from recognized radiation hazards for its employees in accordance and compliance with all local, State and Federal regulations.

B. Scope

This policy applies to all personnel on the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Campus and related facilities and those who engage in operations using  ionizing radiation of any kind as governed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and its licenses and/or certificates granted therewith.

C. Definitions

1. “Ionizing radiation” refers to any gamma rays, x-rays, alpha rays, beta particles, high speed electrons, neutrons, protons or other atomic or nuclear particles or rays with sufficient energy to form ions during an interaction with matter, but does not include sound or radio waves or visible, infrared or ultraviolet light.

D. Policy Statement

1. NEOMED shall have a Radiation and Laser Safety Committee (RLSC) which shall be composed of the following constituents in accordance with the license issued by the Ohio Department of Health and the Radioactive Materials Safety Manual:
   1. One (1) representative of NEOMED management team;
   2. Five (5) Rootstown-based faculty who are trained and experienced in the safe use of radioisotopes and whose experience encompasses, when possible, the range of isotopes that are approved for use at this institution; including a representative knowledgeable and skilled in operating the University’s radiation generating equipment.
   3. A Chairperson of the RLSC, who will be selected from the pool of RLSC faculty representatives and named as such on the license.
   4. A Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), who shall be named on the Ohio Department of Health material license, as the person responsible for ensuring the day-to–day operations of the Radiation Safety Programs at NEOMED and recommending and initiating corrective action to ensure compliance with all associated regulations. This same person shall be named on the Ohio Department of Health Registration Certificate as the Individual for Radiation Protection (IRP).
2. NEOMED shall establish Radiation Safety Manuals that provide information on work practices, procedures, policies and training necessary to ensure the health and safety of individuals exposed to ionizing radiation in the workplace.
3. NEOMED shall review and approve all personnel, proposals, activities, and experiments for compliance with ODH regulations and consistency with submitted licensure, manuals and As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
4. NEOMED shall ensure appropriate audit of the material license and radiation generating equipment programs established consistent and in compliance with all applicable regulations.

Download the policy *