Material & Disbursement Services (MSD)
POLICY 47
Effective Date: 07/01/1996
Last Modified Date: 11/19/2003
Introduction
UNC–Chapel Hill has been licensed by the State of North Carolina, Division of Radiation Protection, to use radioactive materials in research, development, and educational applications. The Department of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) is responsible for the administration of the University's radiation safety program, including maintenance of personnel monitoring, laboratory surveys, radionuclide inventory, and waste disposal records.
Radiation Safety Committee
The license and UNC policy require that each use of radiation sources be under the direction of an individual approved by the University Radiation Safety Committee. This committee, appointed by the Chancellor, meets periodically with the Radiation Safety Officer (EHS staff) to review applications from individuals and to give support and guidance on matters of policy relating to all sources of radiation.
Human Use
The use of radioactive materials for therapy, diagnosis, and research in humans is not permitted under the terms of the University's license. Approval of uses in these categories must be obtained through the committee responsible for the license issued to UNC Hospitals. Information on these procedures is available from EHS.
Radiation Safety Officer
The Radiation Safety Officer reviews applications for the use of radioactive materials with the individuals to determine the applicant's experience and training in the use of radiation sources, the experimental protocol, and the adequacy of the facilities in which the proposed work is to be conducted. The Radiation Safety Officer makes recommendations to the Radiation Safety Committee for approval or disapproval and any condition requirements deemed to be appropriate. The committee has authorized the Radiation Safety Officer to grant temporary approval to individual users until such time as the application can be reviewed by the Committee.
See also: Laboratory Safety Manual
Placing an Order
Purchase Requisitions for the purchase of radioactive materials are submitted directly to EHS, CB #1650, 212 Finley Golf Course Road, for approval and are then routed to Purchasing Services. Each requisition must be accompanied either by a "Certificate of Current Inventory for Purchase of Radioactive Materials" (available from the Radiation Safety portion of the EHS Web site under Forms, Appendix C) or by a printed statement certifying the current inventory.
Excluding Non-Radioactive Materials
Purchase requisitions for radiochemicals, radionuclides, standards, and other items should be annotated "Radioactive Materials." Non-radioactive supplies should not be included on the same requisition with radioactive materials.
Standing Orders and/or Large Quantities
Items used frequently or on a monthly basis may be requisitioned on a purchase requisition marked "Standing Order," listing the items being ordered. These requisitions should also be marked either "Release on Demand Only" or "Release on Schedule," with scheduled release dates listed. Vendors will normally quote better prices than their catalog price on standing orders or when the quantity is larger than the largest listed quantity in their catalog; consequently, requisitioners are encouraged to phone vendors directly to obtain quotations. This system generally results in prompt delivery and frequently in a substantial cost savings. If a written quotation is received, it should be forwarded to Purchasing when received. The name of the authorized user must be on the requisition.
Inventory Control
The University's radioactive materials license requires that all authorized users maintain a current list of radioactive materials in their possession. EHS is required to monitor receipts, transfers, and disposals of radioactive materials for compliance with the possession and disposal limitations of the University's license and the State's regulations. An inventory printout is mailed to each authorized user at the 1st of each month, to be returned to EHS by the 15th of the month. Requisitions to purchase radioactive materials will not be approved after the 20th of the month if the authorized user's inventory is not current.
Additional Information
See also:Department of Environment, Health & Safety home page—Includes various safety manuals, required forms, etc.
Federal government site: Recombinant DNA Guidelines and Information
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