Chapter 2: Radiation Safety
2.1 Purpose
Ensure the safe usage of sources of radiation for protection of occupational and public health, safety, and the environment.
2.2 Policy statement and applicability
The Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) is responsible for administering a program for the safe use of radiation sources at The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso (Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é) to ensure compliance with regulations governing use of radioactive sources, X-ray generating devices, and lasers. The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é operates under Academic Radioactive Materials License #L-00159, X-ray Registration #R02796, and Laser Registration #Z00215 issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
2.3 Radiation Safety
2.3.1 The EH&S Radiation Safety Officer shall monitor all areas where radioactive materials are used to ensure regulatory requirements and conditions of Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é licensure are adhered to by departmental sub-licensees and/or permit holders.
2.3.2 All Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é employees seeking to utilize radioactive materials or radiation producing equipment are required to apply for licensure and register with EH&S in coordination with the Radiation Safety Officer and receive appropriate mandatory training before authorization for use will be granted under the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é license or registrations.
2.3.2.1 Procurement of Radioactive Materials, Radiation Producing Equipment, and Class 3B & 4 laser systems, requires EH&S authorization prior to purchase.
2.3.2.2 Authorization for continued use may be revoked by EH&S at any time when in the judgment of EH&S, conditions present an undue risk to the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, its faculty, staff, students, or the environment.
2.3.3 Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é policies and procedures specific to the use of radioactive materials, x-ray machines and lasers must always be followed.
2.4 Definitions
Radiation means one or more of the following:
- Gamma-rays and X-rays, alpha and beta particles, and other atomic or nuclear particles or rays;
- Emission of radiation from an electronic device to energy density levels that could reasonably cause bodily harm; or
- Sonic, ultrasonic, or infrasonic waves from any electronic device or resulting from the operation of an electronic circuit in an electronic device in the energy range to reasonably cause detectable bodily harm.
2.5 References
2.6 Dates Approved or Amended
August 6, 2024