LSM PBL TK02

Scenario 2: Handling of radioactive materials

• Use personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable gloves, lab coat, safety glasses 
• Conducts experiments in a fume hood if gas, vapor, dust, or aerosols are released. 
• Do not consume food and avoid contact with face, particularly the mouth, in any area that has been classified “Caution - Radioactive Materials”. 
• Use appropriate pipetting devices instead of mouth-pipetting. 
• Radioactive materials must be put under surveillance and unauthorised access should not be allowed. 
• Secure stock vials with locks when not in use. 
• Do not keep food or drink containers in the same location as radioactive materials, particularly refrigerators. 
• Do not bring personal belongings into the radioactive work areas. 
• Avoid wearing accessories, shorts and open-toed shoes during lab work. 
• Wear a radiation dosimeter. 
• Do not work if you have an open cut or wound. 
• Assume that containers classified “Caution - Radioactive Materials” are also contaminated and wear disposable gloves when handling such containers. 
• Employ the three basic safety principals of time, distance, and shielding and employ good housekeeping techniques. 
• Perform a “dry run” when conducting a new experiment, without radioactive materials to learn the procedure. 
• Perform liquid radiation work on a non-porous tray. 
• Cover the work area with plastic-backed absorbent material. 
• Wash hands immediately after work and monitor hands and clothing for radioactive contamination thoroughly during and after work, especially before leaving the lab. 
• Wash any areas that are contaminated or suspected to be contaminated, and re-monitor as necessary. Notify Radiation Safety personnel of problems. 
• Monitor the rooms where radioactivity is used or stored, especially areas which may come in contact with potentially contaminated hands, e.g. phones, door knobs, and refrigerator handles. 
• Workers should be thoroughly familiar with the properties of the radionuclide(s) to be used. If uncertain about the safety of a procedure or have any questions about radioactivity, seek help from more experienced persons or Radiation Safety personnel. 
• Disposal of radioactive waste should be done in designated, shielded containers and under appropriate protocol. Further consultation with laboratory safety officers on appropriate disposal of radioactive materials is highly encouraged, especially if certain radioisotopes require special precautions (such as aerosol release of radioisotope particles into the environment)

Labels: handling, radioactive materials

posted by Michelle, Bernadette, Shanna, Karen, Su Wei, Shi Ting @ 16:47