Move Manual: Appendix E	Return to Table of Contents

Checklist for Radioactive Materials or Radiation-producing Machines (RPM)

Preparation (Radioactive Material or Radiation Producing Machines)

If you wish to move radioactive materials for storage or use in an off-campus location, you will need to plan well in advance. UC Berkeley's radioactive materials license authorizes radioactive materials only at specific locations. If an additional off-campus location is required, obtaining California Department of Public Health approval for the location can take several months. Also, for an off–campus move involving radioactive materials, EH&S will need to be involved in the shipping arrangements. Contact EH&S at 642–3073 to begin this process.

In all moves, your laboratory's Radiation Use Authorization (RUA) must be amended to reflect your new location. In addition, if the move includes a Radiation Producing Machine (RPM), EH&S will need to file to update the machine location in UC Berkeley's registration with the California Department of Public Health. Contact EH&S (642-3073) to request the required changes.

Prepare any radioactive waste for transfer to EH&S according to campus procedures; refer to the “Radiation Safety Laboratory Logbook,” Section K: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/radsafety/radsaflogbk.pdf.

Identify any tools and equipment that could be contaminated with radioactive material. Contact EH&S (642-3073) for proper decontamination and clearance prior to moving or disposing of the items.

Make appropriate arrangements for transport and installation of RPMs in the new location.

In the case of moves that involve radioactive materials, continue with the all the steps provided below; if the move will not involve any radioactive materials, skip ahead to the section titled “EH&S Termination Survey”.

Inventory Verification, Packing, and Surveying Lab (Radioactive Material)

Important: Before proceeding, carefully review your radioactive materials inventory records. Confirm that your inventory records are completely up–to–date and that you can account for all radioactive materials (solutions, sealed sources, sources contained in devices, etc.). If you cannot account for all radioactive material, contact EH&S immediately (642-3073).

Consult with EH&S (642-3073) regarding plans for moving pieces of equipment that contain radioactive sources (e.g. irradiators, gas chromatographs, liquid scintillation counters, soil moisture probes, etc.)

Except for cases of equipment containing radioactive sources (see above), package your radioactive materials to minimize the chances for leakage or loss of any material during transport:

• Radioactive liquids must be packaged in sturdy double containment (e.g., glass container in a plastic bag in a metal paint can) with enough absorbent material to absorb twice the volume of contained liquid.
• Radioactive solids (and radioactive gases that are contained within a sealed source) must be packed to prevent damage and loss.
• Radioactive gases (other than those contained within a sealed source – see previous bullet) may require special packaging; consult EH&S (642–3073).
• At the time of the move any live animals containing radioactive materials must be transported in containers that have been approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC).

Label the exterior of each outer package with:

• “Radioactive Material” and trefoil symbol
• The isotope and amount of materials (in microCuries or milliCuries)
• The name of the Radiation Use Authorization (RUA) Holder
• Labels must be legible and indelible.

After packing all radioactive materials, conduct a self-survey to check that the packages containing radioactive materials, laboratory surfaces and equipment are free of radioactive contamination. Contact EH&S immediately (642–3073) if you find contamination. Save this survey with your self-survey records.

On-campus Transportation (Radioactive Material)

Radioactive materials are not permitted to be moved using a private or university-owned motorized vehicle, except in the case of campus or professional movers (see below).

Radioactive materials are not permitted to be moved by persons using bicycles, unicycles, rollerblades, scooters, skateboards, etc.

If you plan to move radioactive materials on the central campus using campus or professional movers, contact EH&S (642–3073) so that we can work with the movers regarding radiation-safety issues. (Note: most movers will not move radioactive materials.)

In many cases, radioactive materials will be moved using a push–cart or will be carried by hand. The radioactive material must be taken directly from its original location to the new location that has been authorized under the RUA. Do not leave the materials unattended and do not make any side trips.

Immediately after the move, perform a survey that includes the individuals, vehicles, carts, etc., involved in moving the radioactive material. Contact EH&S (642–3073) immediately if you find contamination.

Important: Carefully review your radioactive materials inventory records and confirm that you can account for all radioactive materials (solutions, sealed sources, sources contained in devices, etc.). Check to assure that radioactive materials have not been damaged in transit and perform a survey of the packing materials to verify that there is no radioactive contamination present. If you cannot account for all radioactive material or if there is damage or contamination, contact EH&S immediately (642–3073).

In Your New Space Radioactive Material or Radiation Producing Machines (RPM)

Important: If you have not already done so, carefully review your radioactive materials inventory records and confirm that you can account for all radioactive materials (solutions, sealed sources, sources contained in devices, etc.). Check to assure that radioactive materials have not been damaged in transit and perform a survey of the packing materials to verify that there is no radioactive contamination present. If you cannot account for all radioactive material or if there is damage or contamination, contact EH&S immediately (642–3073).

Review your new location considering the security of your radiation sources. Unless users listed on your RUA are present, no one else should be able to access your radioactive materials or be able to operate your RPMs.

Consider arrangements for break rooms and assure that RUA personnel will comply with the UC Berkeley policy for eating and drinking in laboratories: http://campuspol.chance.berkeley.edu/policies/foodinlabs.pdf.

Review your RUA and the listed precautions. Be sure you have all required PPE and survey meters available and that users listed on the RUA know where these items are located. Also make sure the RUA has been correctly amended to reflect your new location prior to starting research. Post your new RUA and any posters required for radioactive materials or RPM use.

Verify that door signs reading “Caution–Radioactive Materials” are posted on the doors to the laboratory, and that the emergency contact information is updated and complete.

Ensure that all radioactive materials and waste storage areas are appropriately labeled and shielded.

Cover the radioisotope work surfaces with plastic–backed absorbent paper labeled with RAD tape.

Label designated refrigerators, freezers, fume hoods, sinks, and other equipment with RAD tape.

Before using an RPM, contact EH&S (642–3073) to schedule a start–up survey of the machine.

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