CHAPTER I - RADIATION SAFETY ORGANIZATION AT ASU

1.1. Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency

Arizona State University (ASU) procures and uses radioactive material under Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency (ARRA) License #7-37. The license requires that ASU personnel use ARRA approved procedures for the acquisition, control, and disposal of all radioactive material. These procedures include those applicable to all institutions using radioactive material as contained in the "State of Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency Rules and Regulations", and other conditions specified in the license granted to the university. These procedures are designed to protect individuals in the university community from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation.

ASU is subject to inspection by ARRA. If ARRA finds that ASU is not in compliance with license conditions, it may issue fines, or in the case of serious infractions, suspend or revoke the license.

ARRA rules and regulations, the ARRA License issued to ASU, and supporting documentation are on file in the Office of Radiation Safety for review by ASU personnel.

1.2 Radiation Safety Committee

ASU governs the use of radioactive materials through the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC). This committee is a group of professionals appointed by the president of ASU to establish policy and procedures for the use of radioactive material and to oversee all aspects of radiation safety. The committee meets at least quarterly to review the University's radiation safety program, and to review requests for permission to use radioactive material. The RSC has the authority to approve the use of radioactive material at ASU, or to deny its use in procedures deemed unsafe or by personnel deemed unqualified.

1.3 Radiation Safety Officer

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is responsible for implementing the radiation safety program as directed by the RSC. The RSO is assisted by the staff of the Office of Radiation Safety (ORS). The RSO and ORS staff receive and in-process radioactive material, manage the radiation dosimetry program, collect and process radioactive waste, conduct radiation safety training, perform radiation safety surveys, and assist in the management of incidents involving radioactive material. The RSO is available as a consultant on safety aspects of radioactive material use, and for information on experimental design.

The RSO has the authority to suspend or prevent the use of radioactive material by individuals, and/or seize radioactive material when in their opinion work is being conducted in a hazardous manner, or in a manner that constitutes violation of ARRA rules and regulations or conditions of the ARRA License issued to ASU. These actions of the RSO are reviewed by the RSC.

1.4 ASU Sub-licensees

All possession, use, and disposal of radioactive material at ASU must be conducted under the auspices of a sub-license issued by the RSC or the RSO. Sub-licenses are issued to professionals at ASU who have applied for, and received permission to use radioactive material in a specified research or education program. Sub-licensees are responsible for all work conducted under their sub-license. Their responsibilities include:
1. Ensuring that the conditions of their sub-license, as well as ASU and ARRA approved procedures, are followed when procuring, using, and disposing of radioactive material;

2. Training and supervising users handling radioactive materials under their sub-license;

3. Ensuring that their sub-license is current with respect to quantities of radioactive material used, procedures being used, and location of use.

Procedures for sub-license application are contained in Chapter II of this manual.

1.5 Approved Users

Approved Users are personnel who have been designated in writing by the ORS as individuals who may use radioactive material without direct supervision. Approved Users must use radioactive material under a sub-license, or sub-licenses, specified in writing by the RSC. The sub-licensee maintains overall responsibility for use of radioactive material by Approved Users.

1.6 Visitors

Sub-licensees are responsible to see that visitors to spaces containing radioactive material are not exposed to radiation from the material. Visitors who plan to participate in work involving the use of radioactive material must contact the RSO for appropriate briefings and dosimetry devices.

1.7 Minors

Minors, or persons under the age of 18, are not allowed in ASU spaces containing radioactive material unless permission is obtained from the RSO. Children of University employees must not be allowed in these spaces.

Personnel under the age of 18 who desire to work with radioactive material must receive written permission to do so by the RSO.