| Vanderbilt University Online Radiation Safety Policies & Procedures Manual |  |
| Table of Contents |
VEHS > resources > radiation safety > radiation safety manuals
| Vanderbilt University Online Radiation Safety Policies & Procedures Manual | |
| Table of Contents |
|
< Section 5: Receipt, Transfer, and Disposal of Radioactive Material |
Section 7: Responsibilities and Rules for Radiotherapy Treatments > |
Section 6: Emergency Procedures
For Assistance Contact
Vanderbilt Environmental Health and Safety
322-2057
(After normal working hours, call the Vanderbilt Operator or VEHS pager # 835-4965)
Emergencies range from minor spills of radioactivity, involving relatively no personal hazard, to major radiation incidents involving extreme hazards. Because of the wide range and variety of hazards and the numerous possible complicating factors, set rules of emergency procedures cannot be made to cover all possible situations. In any emergency, however, the primary concern must always be the protection of personnel from radiation hazards. If radioactive contamination is involved, all persons who were in the area at the time of the incident shall be assembled and monitored for contamination. The secondary concern is confinement of contamination to the local area of the accident.
B. Clean up of Radioactive Contamination
Principal Investigators are responsible for providing personnel to clean up any contamination that results from work conducted under their authorization.
VEHS will monitor and supervise clean up of all major spills.
Housekeeping personnel shall not be allowed to clean up of radioactive contamination.
The following incidents must be reported to VEHS immediately after their occurrence:
Any major spill of radioactive material.
Contamination of personnel.
Accidental human intake of radioactive material.
Exposure of individuals to excessive levels of radiation.
Theft or loss of radioactive material.
Large releases of radioactive material into the air or water.
D. Exposures Exceeding the Maximum Permissible Dose
Individuals suspected to have been overexposed will be suspended from further work with radiation sources pending the outcome of an investigation by VEHS.
E. Radiation Emergency Procedures
State regulations require that radiation emergency procedures be posted in areas where radioactive material is used or stored. Vanderbilt's radiation emergency procedures can be found in Appendix D "Radiation Emergency Procedures".