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Security of Radioactive Materials

Federal law requires that NRC licensed material must be under the immediate control and constant surveillance of the licensee, or otherwise be locked and secured to prevent tampering or unauthorized removal. The NRC has cited many facilities, including MSU, for violations of this law; therefore, precautions must be taken to prevent this from occurring. This means that radioactive materials in storage or unattended should be kept in locked containers or in areas that are not readily accessible to unauthorized individuals.

When working with radioactive materials, the room must be secured whenever a radiation worker is not present, or the radioactive materials must themselves be secured. Refrigerators or cabinets containing radioactive materials that are located outside a lockable room must be locked to prevent access. Any loss of radioactive materials must be reported to the MSU Radiation Safety Officer immediately.

The personnel present in the laboratory may provide security for radioactive materials by challenging unauthorized entry into the room. Staff who are not radiation workers may be among those in immediate control of the materials if they are trained by the principal investigator according to the items on the PI Training Checklist.

Inventory of Radioactive Materials

Radiation Safety Manual Table of Contents

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