RADIOISOTOPE SAFETY TRAINING
Section:
4 – Radioisotope Safety Training
Part:
4.1 Training Requirements
Pages:
2
4.1
Date of Issue:
Issued By:
Revision #:
Revision Date:
Revised By:
2002.01.01
Environment, Health & Safety
-82012.08.30
PH
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
A requirement of the CNSC Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Licence issued to The University of
Calgary is that only persons properly trained to work with radioactive material and informed of the hazards
involved are allowed to handle radioisotopes. Section 12(1) (b) of the CNSC General Nuclear Safety and
Control Regulations requires that every licencee shall ““train the workers to carry on the licenced
activity in accordance with the Act, the regulations made under the Act and the licence”. A
properly trained person is defined as an individual who has successfully completed the University of Calgary
Radioisotope Safety Course (online and in lab session) and completed the Nuclear Energy Worker
registration form. Each Radioisotope Permit Holder is responsible for training each individual user in
radiation protection techniques SPECIFIC to each procedure.
4.1.1
Training
The University of Calgary’s Radioisotope Safety Course is offered by Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S)
through the University of Calgary’s online training. Individuals wishing to take the online portion of the
Radioisotope Safety Course can enrol by following the links from the EH&S training courses webpage .
The Radioisotope Permit Holder will ensure that all individuals complete the Radioisotope Safety Course prior
to using radioactive materials in any laboratory at the University of Calgary.
Important Note: All radioactive material users must participate in the Radioisotope Safety Course.
4.1.2
Authorized Users
The Radioisotope Permit Holder must maintain a list of personnel authorized to use nuclear substances and
of those individuals authorized to have access to the laboratory. A copy of Figure 4-a is to be completed and
kept in the laboratory copy of the Radiation Safety & Procedures Manual.
The Radioisotope Permit Holder must forward a copy of the authorized users to EH&S, attention: Radiation
Safety, the first week of November each year or when requested.
4.1.3
Authorized Users – Confirmation Of Learning
The Permit Holder must evaluate new personnel within one month of the worker’s use of nuclear substances.
Competent users must demonstrate the specific knowledge and skills as presented in the Radioisotope
Safety Course during work procedures. The Radioisotope Permit Holder or designate must review and
complete the Confirmation of Learning Form (Figure 4 – d).
4.1.4
Refresher Training
ALL Nuclear Energy Workers and active Radioisotope Permit Holders must take refresher training every 24
months and prior to renewal of a Radioisotope Permit.
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Dormant Radioisotope Permit Holders must take retraining prior to reactivation of the Radioisotope Permit.
Workers who do not complete the re-training or successfully demonstrate competency will be removed
from the authorized worker list.
Refresher training will be offered through an interactive web-based computer program to allow individuals
to complete at their own pace and time. Additionally, upon request the refresher presentation can be
delivered in person by the Radiation Safety Officer.
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NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKERS
Section:
4
Part:
4.2 Registration Requirements
Pages:
1
4.2
Date of Issue:
Issued By:
Revision #:
Revision Date:
Revised By:
2005.02.02
Environment, Health & Safety
-82012.08.30
PH
NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
All users of nuclear substances (radioactive materials) at the University of Calgary are designated as
Nuclear Energy Workers (NEW). Nuclear Energy Workers are required to provide specific information
under the CNSC Regulations. Individuals who will work with nuclear substances must read the
information about the risks of working with nuclear substances in the Fundamentals of Radiation Safety.
4.2.1
Nuclear Energy Worker Registration
Radioisotope Permit Holders will ensure that all users of nuclear substances (radioactive materials) are
registered with Radiation Safety prior to using nuclear substances.
A NEW registration form (Figure 4-b), available online from EH&S website, must be completed for each
individual and returned to Radiation Safety for registration. The CNSC inspectors verify that copies of the
registration forms are completed during compliance inspections.
4.2.2
Pregnant Nuclear Energy Worker
Every Nuclear Energy Worker who becomes aware that she is pregnant must immediately inform the
Radiation Safety Officer by completing Nuclear Energy Worker – Declaration of Pregnancy (Figure 4-c),
and submitting the completed form to the Radiation Safety Officer.
The Radiation Safety Officer will meet with the individual to discuss work assignments, outline potential
risks and answer any questions.
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