RPS Update

8th February 2012

EA Audits

• CH – November 15• QMC – January 24/25• SB and UP 2012/13• Covered

– Source management– Inventory management– Contamination monitoring– Security, loss, and escape of sources; notification to EA– Prevention and notification of excess accumulation– Record keeping

Management System• University policies and role of Safety Office

– Web info– Project and worker approval– Inspections

• Local arrangements– RPS appointments and training, sufficient numbers– Local rules and SOPs – regularly reviewed, dated.– Local radiation worker training and records,– Security, accounting, stock checking, monitoring,– Waste disposal

• RPA reviews• User authorisation and training

Inventory Controls– Best Practicable Means

• Rad 1; 2; 5; Challenge and Justification• Authorisation process

– Checked local copies of Rad 1 and 5 and approval memos

• Purchase authorisation• Stock checking; review of old stock

– Isostock √• Sample audit of fridge/freezer v Isostock• Review of waste accumulations

Contamination monitoring

• Before and after use with monitor– 3H wipe test of workstation and assoc equipments

after use– Floors only periodically if records show low levels

elsewhere.

• Include action level (threshold) on the monitoring record

Monitor Action Levels

• Monitoring Action Level– Limit - immediate decontamination – Record the remedial action taken. – Record before and after figures

• Reference Level– Half the Action Level to ensure contamination is not building

up.– Normally kept as low a possible and not exceed the Reference

Level

• For tritium a wipe test figure of 22000dpm should be used – equivalent to 37 Bq/cm2

Multiple isotope usage Action Levels – cps• The Action Levels below for the specified monitors are equivalent to :

– high energy isotopes: 10–30 Bq/cm2; – medium energy isotopes: 40-60 Bq/cm2, and – low energy isotopes: 80-100 Bq/cm2

For all Beta emitters except Tritium and Uranium.• 500cps Berthold LB122, Ludlum model 3.• 50cps Mini Instruments EP15 & EL.• 50cps Mini Instruments SL (probe not suitable for 14C, 33P, 35S, 45Ca)• 25cps Thermo MCB21, Mini Instruments type E.For Uranium & Gamma emitters except 51Cr & 55Fe• 50cps Mini Instruments 44A, 44B, 41 & Berthold LB123.• 12.5cps Mini Instruments 42A, 42B. For Chromium 51 (51Cr) & Iron 55 (55Fe)• 50cps Mini Instruments 44B & Berthold LB123. • 5cps Mini Instruments 44A.

EA Comments• Waste Bin Labelling

– Generally satisfactory– Excellent example seen.– Trefoil warnings when

waste is contained• Mixed lab identified non-

radioactive bins only.• Bin number is clear.• Date first addition to bin.

Enter disposal by at same time?

• Location and producer to track back.

EA Comments• Labelling of traps and exposed pipes beneath radiation disposal

sinks – indicate with trefoil tape to advise/warn maintenance staff,• Don’t store absorbent materials beneath sinks (cardboard or

polystyrene boxes),• Don’t obscure signs indicating aqueous waste disposal sinks with

items stored on the sink edge along/splashback,• Labelling of radiation fumecupboards with trefoils unless free from

isotope and contamination and unlikely to be used for the foreseeable period,

• Inspection of drains – in particular how is this done in the voids? This is being followed up with the Estate Office.

• Floor inspections – identify small cuts/nicks in surface; assess for contamination risk and repair (weld? Sealer?) if necessary and possible.

Floor DamageRepair? Seal? Be aware of?

Drain Labelling

Sink Leakage?

• Don’t store absorbent materials beneath sinks (cardboard or polystyrene boxes),

• Some Universities place buckets beneath traps.

Waste LSC Calibration Sources

• Sealed or unsealed?– Indivisible unsealed

source managed as a sealed source.

– Dispose of via normal unsealed source disposal route (O/L or SW) and record on Isostock

947 Bq Iodine-129 calibration source for Perkin Elmer 1470 Automatic gamma counter (Wallac Wizard)

VLLW Revision

• EA Guidance on disposal of VLLW modified.• Requirement for direct disposal to landfill eased.• Once waste meets VLLW criteria it can be treated as

any other relevant waste – according to hazard.• Strict segregation between waste types is essential

to avoid incorrect disposal. • Obliterate all radiation signs and information on

waste type.• Option for soil waste from Environmental Science.

IsostockReview Accumulation Period?

• EA confirmed– Accumulation period starts from when the bin is sealed as long as it

is not too long in use in the lab (1-4 weeks?)– Isostock counts from 1st addition to the bin therefore shortening

the period. – EA commented that however the waste is managed it should be

effectively applied.– Consensus from RPSs was 30 days was OK – encouraged prompt

waste disposal.• Configuration changes (apply at other sites?)

– 30 day accumulation period for SW/OL waste @ QMC• 2 weeks - OK (black)• 2-3 weeks – “Due for Moving” think about sealing and moving (purple)• 3 weeks – warning “Close to Time Limit” – seal and move asap to ensure

transfer at the next Wednesday collection next (orange)• >30 days – exceeded holding period (red)

Old Stock• EA discourage keeping of old stock.

– Is it viable?– Would someone confidently use it for a research paper?– If not it is waste and should be disposed of.– Also poor use of RPS time pointlessly stock checking waste

items.– Increased risk of loss/accounting error – compliance issue.

• Isostock reports on expired stock– > 3 half-lives or 2 years– Annual Autotask in Isostock to request RPSs to conduct an

annual review of stocks – justify or dispose. – When is best time in the year?– Reports/Incomplete Records/Compounds Exceeding Expiry Date

Waste Disposal at QMC

• Delay in return of internal transfer forms;• Process modified - Paul Sharp to return forms

to Safety Office to complete the consignment record in Isostock.

• Medical School RPS s no longer have Isostock permissions to consign waste.

• Waste Transfer Form modified

Training• Central

– general overview– Considering on-line basic Isostock training

• RPS/Local –– Must be tailored to particular techniques and local procedures,

i.e. be directly relevant, • includes ways of recording particular transactions on Isostock

– Assess understanding and authorise worker

• Records:– Clinical Science Building flow chart – Bioscience good training record.

• Registration process via Dante

• In Department Waste:1. Seal (the container)2. Move to Decay Store (i.e. the Med School Stores Waste Bins)

– Completes process at Med School

• In Accumulated Waste:1. Select the containers to be transferred.2. Create a Waste Consignment3. Select “Transfer to SRCL (Formerly White Rose)” as the disposal route from the drop-down list.

• This will prepare the consignment in anticipation of the transfer for disposal. • Once the transfer has occurred (at QMC following return of the internal waste transfer

form)• 1. Select Waste/Consignments:

2. Select from the list of consignments prepared but not disposed of:3. Check the box to Confirm Disposal/Transfer, and 4. Enter/confirm the date and time.5. [At Sutton Bonington print out a copy of the consignment report to be taken to the incinerator with the waste]

• This completes the process.

Consignment List

Departmental Waste

Accumulated Wastesealed, moved to store and consignments prepared

ConsignmentsPrepared and awaiting disposal confirmation