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THE
ORCBS > Radiation
Safety
> Radiation
Safety Manual
>
 Responsibilities
of the Principal Investigator
Principal investigators
are directly responsible for compliance with all regulations governing
radiation safety in the laboratory, and for safe practices of individuals
working under their supervision. Principal investigators are obligated
to:
- Ensure that
individuals working under their control are properly supervised
and trained to enable safe working habits and prevent exposures
to themselves and others and/or contamination of the work areas
or environment. Inadequate supervision and lack of training have
been cited as indicative of negligence in lawsuits involving radiation.
- Be aware
of the potential radiation hazards inherent in a proposed activity;
be responsible for instructing personnel in safe practices or
directing personnel to sources of information concerning safe
practices.
- Maintain
inventory and knowledge of the various forms (physical and chemical)
and quantities of radiation which are present in their work areas.
- Avoid any
unnecessary exposure, either to themselves or to other workers.
- Understand
the risks associated with the possession, use and shipment of
all radioactive materials. Federal and state regulations control
the use and shipping of radioactive materials and certain other
hazardous materials.
- Keep current
records of the receipt and the disposition of radioactive material
in their possession including use in research, waste disposal,
transfer, storage, etc.
- Maintain
constant surveillance and immediate control of radioactive materials
to prevent unauthorized removal or tampering, and/or assure that
all of the workers occupying the area maintain security.
- Post warnings
and restrict entry to areas that contain potentially hazardous
radioactivity or chemicals. Label radioactive use equipment and
work areas.
- Notify the
ORCBS of any personnel changes, including addition or termination
of employees, or changes of areas where radioactive materials
may be used or stored.
- Assure instruction
of female radiation workers of the risks associated with working
with radioactive materials during pregnancy. (NRC Reg. Guide 8.13).
- Assure designation
of a responsible individual to oversee radioisotope work during
short absences, and of a stand-in principal investigator with
the required committee approvals during extended absences (greater
than 60 days).
- Ensure that
radiation safety surveys and audits in the laboratory are conducted,
and maintain records for review.
- Be aware
of regulations and requirements pertaining to the use of radioactive
materials, maintain compliance and a safe working area.
- Use radioactive
materials according to statements, representations and conditions
set forth in the radioactive materials use approval given by the
Radiation Safety Committee. Changes from the approved procedures
must be approved by the Committee in an amendment or new application
prior to the implementation of the change.
- Maintain
use logs for radioisotopes with half lives of greater than or
equal to 120 days.
Failure to comply
with the rules and regulations set forth above and throughout this
manual may lead to disciplinary actions and/or the cessation of
radioisotope shipments and experiments. The Radiation Safety Officer
and/or the Radiation Safety Committee may terminate any radioisotope
use and/or research if deemed necessary. Suspension or termination
of approval to use radioactive materials may result from situations
jeopardizing health and safety, the environment or the MSU broad
license.
Radioactive
shipments which are ordered during a principal investigator's absence
will be tracked under the absent principal investigator's inventory.
Responsibilities
of the Worker
Radiation
Safety Manual Table of Contents
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