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Radiation Safety Training Program

  1. Purpose
    • To outline the radiation safety training program requirements of the UConn Health Radiation Safety Program.
    • To describe the training provided by the Office of Radiation Safety (ORS) including the frequency and methods utilized.
  2. Applicability
    • This guideline applies to all UConn Health staff, credentialed physicians, residents and fellows enrolled in UConn Health Graduate Medical Education programs, visitors, volunteers and students completing rotations at any UConn Health facility.
    • The training requirements for authorized users, authorized medical physicists, and authorized nuclear pharmacists are beyond the scope of this document.
  3. References
    • ORS GL-1 Radiation Safety Program Manual.
    • NRC 10 CFR 19 Notices, Instructions and Reports to Workers
  4. Definitions
    • Non-Radiation Worker: Anyone who does not regularly work with or around ionizing radiation and who is not monitored for occupational radiation exposure.
    • Ancillary Staff: All Non-Radiation Workers that are occasionally required to enter areas where radioactive materials are used and/or stored, e.g., housekeepers, plumbers, electricians.
    • Radiation Worker: Anyone who, in the course of their regular work, is occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation sources (e.g., radioactive materials or x-ray devices).
    • X-ray Device Worker: Any Radiation Worker whose job involves working with or around devices that produces ionizing radiation.
    • RAM Worker: Any Radiation Worker whose job involves working with or around sealed or unsealed radioactive materials.
    • Badged Worker: Any Radiation Worker that is issued a personal monitoring device to measure occupational exposure to ionizing radiation by the ORS.
  5. Courses Delivered by the ORS
    • Basic Radiation Safety – This course is provided to all UConn Health employees. It provides a general overview of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources, dosimetry requirements, ways to minimize exposure, etc. It is provided within new hire orientation as well as annually via SABA.
    • Ancillary Staff Training – This course is provided to any worker who is required to enter an area where radioactive materials are used and/or stored to complete a specific job function. Frequency: Prior to entering an area where radioactive materials are used and/or stored then annually, Method(s): In person by ORS staff. Ancillary staff will also be required to be escorted by a member of the Radiation Safety Staff in sensitive areas such as Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Oncology.
    • Police/Fire Training – This course is provided to the UConn Police and Fire Department personnel and includes radiation safety training for emergencies and access control. Frequency: Annual, Method(s): In person by ORS staff.
    • Radiation Worked Training – This course provides X-ray device workers with detailed training commensurate with their duties as radiation workers. Frequency: Annual, Method(s): Online (SABA/HealthStream/Medical Staff Office).
    • Fluoroscopy Operator Training – This course provides specific radiation safety training to operators of all fluoroscopy units including c-arms and mini c-arms. The operators can either be physicians with c-arm privileges issued by the Medical Staff Office, GME residents/fellows or radiology technologists. Frequency: Annual, Method(s): Online (SABA/HealthStream/Medical Staff Office).
    • General Fluoroscopy Training – This course provides specific radiation safety training to all staff that are present during the use of fluoroscopy units including c-arms and mini c-arms. Frequency: Annual, Method(s): Online (SABA/HealthStream).
    • Radioactive Materials Training – This course is provided to all RAM Workers and contains specific training curriculum dependent on the type of radioactive material being used and the job function of the workers, e.g., nuclear medicine worker training, training for nurses who care for patients who receive radiopharmaceuticals Treatments, Researcher Training. Frequency: Prior to beginning work with or in an area, where radioactive materials are used and/or stored as well as an annual refresher training provided in person by ORS staff.
    • Badge Training – This course is required by all personnel before they are issued a personal monitoring device. It includes how to wear, store, read, and return dosimetry badges. Frequency: Prior to being issued a personal dosimetry badge, Method(s): Online. View presentation.
  • Laser Safety Training – This course is provided to anyone that is required to have access to a room where a Class 3B or Class 4 research laser is located or anyone that will be present in a room (including the operator) where a Class 3B or Class 4 dental (clinical) laser is to be used. Frequency: Prior to obtaining access to the research lab where the laser is housed or prior to using or being present during the use of a dental laser. Method(s): In person by the Clinical/Research Laser Safety Officer.
  • Students – This course is provided to any student that will be present in an area where radioactive material or X-ray machines are stored/used. Frequency: Before commencing rotation, Method(s): In person by ORS staff or online.
  • Documentation – Training records shall include:
    • Name and signature (if in person) of the person trained;
    • An outline/description of the training; and
    • Name and qualifications for the person delivering the training (if in person).

    Training Requirements

    The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s regulations mandate radiation safety training for all personnel working with radioactive materials. UConn Health is committed to providing a safe research and work environment to all our faculty and staff. The Office of Radiation Safety provides training lectures to meet this requirement.

    It is the principal investigator’s responsibility to ensure that:

    • New personnel who will be working with radioactive materials, using the
      Cs-137 Gammacell Irradiator or working in areas where radioactive materials are used and/or stored attend the 4 hour initial training lecture.
    • Personnel who have received training over a year ago attend a refresher lecture.

    Other personnel wishing to review and update their radiation safety training are invited to attend.

    Under no circumstances will an individual be allowed to work with radioactive materials prior to receiving the appropriate radiation safety training.

    Training

    If you have questions about the Radiation Safety Training Schedules, please call 860-679-2250.

    Initial Training (Part I & Part II)

    • For researchers and those wishing to apply to become Authorized Users, please contact the Office of Radiation Safety, 860-679-2250, to schedule a radiation safety training lecture. This is required by the Radiation Safety Committee prior to any protocol approval and/or any work any work with radioactive materials begins.