Procedure for working with radiation sources

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that the use of radiation sources is conducted responsibly and in accordance with regulations.

Scope

All units at the University of Oslo (UiO) that use radiation sources.

Method

Commencement of work with radiation sources

Before starting work involving the use of radiation sources, the following must be in place:

• The use of radiation must be within UiO's approvals for radiation use. If changes to the approvals are required, the central radiation protection coordinator in the Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness section must be contacted.The use of radiation must be risk assessed, necessary risk-reducing measures must be implemented, and local procedures must be developed. See the procedure for risk assessments with the checklist for radiation protection.
• Emergency response cards based on events identified in the risk assessment must be prepared. The response cards must be available where the work is conducted and for the unit's management. See the template for response cards.
• Training of employees in the use of radiation sources must be carried out.

Emissions

The emission of radioactive material must be avoided as far as practicable. If emissions are necessary, an internal quota must be allocated from UiO's total emission permit. The central radiation protection coordinator in the Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness section administers the allocation of quotas.

Authorities charge a fee for processing applications for emission permits, and if a change to the current permit is required, the relevant unit must cover the cost.

Units with emissions must document the magnitude of the emission.

Waste management

Refer to the separate procedure for the disposal of radioactive sources.

Reporting

Notifiable radiation sources

Large encapsulated radioactive sources, radiation-generating equipment such as powerful lasers, X-ray machines, accelerators, or other large radiation sources may be notifiable. When acquiring notifiable radiation sources, they must be reported to the Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (DSA) electronic source register by the local radiation protection coordinator.

Significant changes in use or disposal of notifiable radiation sources must be updated in DSA's electronic notification system by the local radiation protection coordinator.

Annual reports

The approval for extensive non-medical research-related radiation use requires annual reporting to DSA. Similar requirements are provided in UiO's emission permit. The work on these annual reports is coordinated by the Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness section.

The Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness section sends out forms for the annual reports by 15 January, and completed forms must be returned to the section by 15 February.

Annual reporting of inventory of uranium, thorium, and plutonium isotopes

The inventory of uranium (U), thorium (Th), and plutonium (Pu) isotopes must be reported upon request from DSA. The overview of the inventory must always be updated. The Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness section coordinates the collection of data and sends the report.

The purchase and disposal of these isotopes must be continuously reported to DSA by the local radiation protection coordinator.

Annual reporting under other approvals

Units subject to other approvals than those mentioned above are responsible for submitting any required annual reports under those approvals.

Accidents and abnormal events

Accidents and abnormal events may be notifiable according to the radiation protection regulation. Refer to the procedure for handling health and safety deviations for more information. The report must be sent to DSA as soon as possible, and no later than within 3 days. The central radiation protection coordinator in the Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness section can assist with the reporting of notifiable events. The Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness section must receive a copy of the report.

References

See this page in Norwegian

Policy for radiation protection

Policy for risk management within HSE

Document information and change log

Responsible Unit: Section for health, safety, and emergency preparedness