Overview
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) conducts research and educational activities that involve ionizing radiation. To protect staff, students, the public, and the environment, UAF follows a comprehensive set of radiationsafety requirements that are consistent with federal regulations, state statutes, and the Universitys own policies. The requirements are designed to:
- Limit individual radiation exposure to As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
- Maintain a controlled environment for the use, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials.
- Provide clear procedures for emergencies, training, and recordkeeping.
All faculty, staff, graduate students, and contractors who work with radioactive sources or radiationproducing equipment must understand and comply with these rules.
Regulatory Framework
UAFs radiationsafety program is built on three primary sources of authority:
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order 420.1C. Governs the protection of workers, the public, and the environment from radiation hazards on DOEfunded sites.
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations (10CFR20, 30, 50, 70, 72, and 84). Apply to any universityowned or -operated nuclear facilities.
- Alaska State statutes (Alaska Administrative Code 12 BAC 10 and related provisions). Provide statespecific licensing and inspection requirements.
The UAF Radiation Safety Office (RSO) serves as the Institutional Radiation Safety Officer (IRSO) and liaises with the NRC, DOE, and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure compliance.
Key Requirements
1. Radiation Safety Program
The RSO must maintain a written Radiation Safety Program (RSP) that outlines:
- Roles and responsibilities of the IRSO, Radiation Safety Committee, and authorized users.
- Procedures for authorization, training, monitoring, and deauthorization of radiation work.
- Documentation required for audits and inspections.
2. Training and Qualification
All individuals who will be exposed to radiation must complete the following training before beginning work:
- General Radiation Safety (minimum 8hours) covering fundamentals, ALARA, and emergency procedures.
- Taskspecific training for the equipment or isotopes to be used.
- Annual refresher courses and competency assessments for individuals with ongoing responsibilities.
3. Area Monitoring and Access Control
Radiation areas must be clearly marked, and access must be limited to authorized personnel. Monitoring requirements include:
- Continuous area radiation monitors (ARMs) for highdoserate locations.
- Portable survey meters for routine checks and spot surveys.
- Weekly badge dosimetry for personnel working in controlled areas.
4. Exposure Limits
UAF enforces the same dose limits as the NRC and DOE:
- Annual wholebody dose: 5rem (50mSv) for occupational workers.
- Lens of eye: 15rem (150mSv) per year.
- Extremities: 50rem (500mSv) per year.
- Pregnant staff: Fetal dose must not exceed 0.5rem (5mSv) during the pregnancy.
Any individual approaching 50% of a limit must be placed on a dosetracking list and receive additional monitoring and counseling.
5. Emergency Procedures
Each radiation lab must have an uptodate Emergency Response Plan that includes:
- Procedures for spills, releases, and accidental exposures.
- Contact information for the RSO, local emergency services, and the Radiation Safety Committee.
- Location of safety equipment (e.g., sand buckets, spill kits, lead shields).
Annual drills are required for highrisk facilities to verify readiness.
6. Waste Management
Radioactive waste must be handled in accordance with NRC and DOE guidelines:
- Waste is segregated by radionuclide and decaytime class.
- All waste containers are labeled with contents, activity, and date of packaging.
- Shortlived waste is stored onsite until it decays below release limits; longlived waste is shipped to an authorized disposal facility.
7. Recordkeeping and Reporting
Accurate records are essential for compliance:
- Instrument inventories, calibration certificates, and maintenance logs must be retained for at least three years.
- Personnel exposure records are kept for the duration of employment plus 30years.
- Any incident that results in a dose above 0.1rem (1mSv) to a worker must be reported to the RSO within 24hours and to the NRC/DOE as required.
8. Audits and Inspections
The RSO conducts internal audits at least annually. External inspections by the NRC, DOE, and Alaska regulators occur on a rotating schedule. Findings must be corrected within the timeframes specified in the inspection report.
Compliance & Enforcement
Noncompliance can lead to a range of corrective actions, from written warnings to suspension of the radiation license. The Universitys policy hierarchy includes:
- Immediate suspension of work for any serious safety breach.
- Formal corrective action plans outlining required improvements and timelines.
- Potential civil or criminal penalties if violations are determined to be willful or result in significant public exposure.
All corrective actions are documented, and repeat offenders may face additional disciplinary measures.
Resources
The following resources help staff stay current on radiation safety:
- UAF Radiation Safety Office website policies, forms, training schedules, and contact information.
- DOE Order 420.1C PDF.
- NRC Radiation Protection Regulations NRC Site.
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation DEC website for state licensing information.
For questions or to report an incident, contact the Radiation Safety Officer at rso@uaf.edu or call (907) 474xxxx.
