UC Berkeley has an obligation to establish work practices that provide a safe and healthy environment for students, employees, and members of the public who participate in official campus activities. Recognizing potential hazards involved in the use of radioactive materials and ionizing radiation–emitting devices, campus management implements a radiation safety program that keeps exposure to employees, students, and the public “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA).
This program is intended (1) to protect personnel from unnecessary radiation exposure; (2) to prevent contamination of our natural resources; and (3) to meet the state and federal regulations governing the possession, use, and disposal of radioisotopes and radiation producing sources. To this end, this RSM has been prepared by the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and reviewed and approved by the RSC and campus executive management.
The RSM describes UC Berkeley policy and practice regarding the use of ionizing radiation and serves as a source of the radiation license requirements. Every “RUA Holder” (RH) and RUA User is provided electronic access to the EH&S website containing the current RSM. The RSC and RSO are specifically responsible to limit, suspend, or revoke an individual’s authority to use radioactive material(s) or radiation producing machines (RPMs) if such use (1) is dangerous to the life and health of individuals, or (2) can place the University in violation of health and safety codes or the UC Berkeley Radioactive Materials License.
UC Berkeley has also established an “Increased Control Plan” (ICP) to implement security measures for certain quantities of radioactive materials. Changes and revisions to the ICP will be addressed like revisions to the RSM except only the RSO and RSC Chair will approve the revisions and decide, based on “need to know” who must be trained prior to implementation.
UC Berkeley will establish, implement, and maintain procedures, instructions, and notices necessary to implement the RSM and ICP consistent with criteria approved by the RSC.