Radiation
Radiation is energy in the form of waves or moving subatomic particles. It can be classified in two categories: ionizing or non-ionizing. The most common use of the word "radiation" refers to ionizing radiation. Radioactive material is a physical material that emits ionizing radiation.
Ionizing radiation has many practical uses in medicine, research, construction, and other areas; however, it also presents a health hazard to humans if used improperly.
For Personnel Injury Involving Radioactive Material Contamination:
- Provide First Aid immediately for serious injuries
- Call 911
- Report any hazardous chemical or radioactive material spills Campus Police or the Physical Plant at 740-4545 or 740-4547 immediately
- As possible, without doing harm to the victim, monitor the injury and remove contaminated clothing and gross personal contamination
For Radioactive Contamination of Personnel:
- Remove and bag all contaminated clothing
- Skin contamination should be cleaned using mild soap and tepid water. Use portable survey meter to monitor for remaining contamination. If not free of contamination, re-wash and re-survey
- Report to Campus Police or the Physical Plant at 740-4545 or 740-4547
- Survey the contamination elsewhere on the body as well as on clothes, shoes, floor, door handles, telephones, etc.
- Document the entire incident with either a signed memo/letter or an e-mail from an official university e-mail account to EHS
For Radiation Spill or Release:
- Stop work and confine the spill immediately using an absorbent, enclosure, etc.
- Call Campus Police or the Physical Plant at 740-4545 or 740-4547 to report the incident
- Warn others of the hazard and isolate the area
- Monitor personnel during and after cleanup for contamination
- Collect all used cleanup materials as radioactive waste. Remove and bag all contaminated clothing or cleaning items for removal by EHS
- Commence wipe surveys and decontamination. Perform surveys of surrounding areas to ensure that all contaminated areas are identified
- Document the entire incident with either a signed memo/letter or an e-mail from an official university e-mail account to EHS
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