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The Radiation Safety Office Newsletter

Volume I   Number 3        For the University of Maryland Campus       December 10, 1997

The Radiation Safety Office at the University of Maryland shall publish on the first of each month a Newsletter on topics concerning Radiation Protection and Use of Radioisotopes and Radiation Producing Devices. The November issue was about the Maryland Department of Environment inspections of the University license through its Radiological Health Section. This issue discusses Training Classes offered by our Radiation Safety Office.

The Radiation Safety Office offers a variety of training classes designed to fit the needs of the campus community. Individuals who work directly with unsealed sources of radioactive material are required to attend a training class. For this group of individuals the required class is the Radiation Protection Training Class. This class is modeled after a 40 hour Radiation Safety Officer Course which is offered at numerous places throughout the United States and abroad. The class has been scaled down to be commensurate with the needs of the researcher and to accommodate graduate students and professors available time, which is at a premium. The class is offered almost daily at our offices in the Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building and lasts between 3-5 hours depending on the type of work that is being conducted. Regularly scheduled classes are Tuesdays from 8:30 - 12:30 and Thursdays from 9:30 to 2:00 PM. To sign up for a class you need to call our office at (301) 314-8336 and reserve at time. The course covers the following topics:

For those individuals working with X-ray Diffraction and Spectrometer devices we offer an X-ray Safety Training Class. Individuals who work with these devices are required to attend a training class. This class is designed to inform and educate the user about the hazards associated with X-rays and X-ray producing devices. The class is available as needed and is held in our offices. Individuals need to call our office to set up a time to come in and attend. Class times run between 45 minutes to 75 minutes depending on the prior knowledge of the individual and the extent of training required. Some of the topics covered in this class are:

If you work with sealed sources of radioactive material you can attend the Radiation Protection Training Class. A sealed source is permanently bonded or fixed in a matrix that will not allow the release or dispersal of the radioactive material. Some examples of sealed sources used on campus are Am-241, Cm-244, Co-60 and Cs-137. These sources are used in Space Science, Agricultural Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Physics and other departments throughout campuses across the U.S. The class is tailored to the specific needs of the researcher regarding the type and activity of sealed source in use. Individuals using these types of sources are required to attend a training class. The class is conducted at our offices and lasts from 1-2 hours. Individuals can call to schedule a time to attend.

The Radiation Safety Office also offers Department of Transportation (DOT) training for individuals who have a need to transport radioactive materials on their person to or from other facilities to the University of Maryland. Transportation of radioactive materials must meed the requirements of the DOT, one of which is required training for individuals who package and transport hazardous materials such as radioactive sources. This class provides the employee who needs to take their sources on their person, such as in a car or plane, to other locations, the appropriate training in areas such as shipping certifications, labeling, and emergency response. The class lasts between 1 and 2 hours and is offered as needed at our office. This training is required for individuals who transport isotopes in this fashion.

In the coming year our office will offer a Laser Safety Training Class. In December of 1996 the campus policy for laser safety was approved for the University, and in January of 1997 we shall begin conducting training for those individuals using lasers on campus. The American National Standard Institute has published a standard for safe use of lasers which is used as the guide for training. Classes run from 2-3 hours, will be held at our office, and will be available as needed. Individuals may sign up by calling our office. Training will be required for all individuals using a Class IIIB and IV laser. A few of the topics covered will include:

In all cases where Ionizing radiation is being utilized by individuals on campus training is a mandatory requirement. The classes listed above are available on as needed basis by calling the Radiation Safety Office at (301) 314-8336. If you haven't attended a class give us call to set up a time that is convenient for your schedule.

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