Guidelines for radiation protection and use of radiation at UiB

Norwegian version

Approved by the University Director October 04, 2018, last modified October 11, 2022, archive reference 2018/11476.

1. Purpose

The guidelines must ensure that radiation protection and use of radiation sources at the University of Bergen are carried out and documented in accordance with the requirements of the authorities and internal rules.

2. Legal basis

The guidelines are part of UiB’s Rules and Regulations (part 3. Personnel and HSE) and are based on HSE legislation.

3. Scope

The guidelines apply to all work/activities organized by the UiB where radiation are handled. If a coordination agreement exists regarding health, safety, and the environment with any other establishment the applicable coordination agreement must be followed.

4. Responsibilities

Line managers are responsible for ensuring that the guidelines are publicised and monitored within their area of responsibility

5. Definitions

Radiation: Ionising and non-ionising radiation.

Ionising radiation: Radiation containing sufficient energy, as particles or electromagnetic radiation, to strike an electron away from the atom and/or molecule that has been hit, in such a way that an ion is generated. That is, radiation with a wavelength of 100 nm or shorter (energy above 12.6 eV)

Non-ionising radiation: Electromagnetic radiation with an energy that is not sufficient to ionise an atom and/or molecule it collides with. That is radiation with a wavelength longer than 100 nm (energy below 12.6 eV), including electrical and magnetic fields.

Radiation sources: Radioactive compounds, goods or equipment containing such compounds, as well as plant, apparatus, or equipment that may emit radiation.

Risk assessment: Identification of undesirable incidents, followed by a systematic review of what might cause undesirable incidents and what consequences these may have for the working and learning environment. The risk assessment must identify risk-reduction measures and provide a basis for the contingency work.

Line manager: The University Director, the Dean, faculty director, department director and head of department or equivalent who has the ultimate responsibility for health and safety and the working environment in the unit.

6. Organisation and approvals

6.1 Organisation

The University Director must:

• Appoint a central radiation protection coordinator.

• Ensure in cooperation with the central radiation protection coordinator that the annual report and other requirements from the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority are followed up.

Central radiation protection coordinator:

• Shall administer UiB’s systematic work on radiation protection.

• Must, as a minimum requirement, have completed a three day course in radiation protection with a pass in the course test and have at least two years experience of working with radioactive sources.

• Has the authority, on behalf of the university director, to stop any work that is in violation of applicable laws and regulations.

Within his/her area of responsibility, the line manager or his/her representative shall:

• Appoint a local radiation protection coordinator.

• Ensure that all work with radiation protection and use of radiation follows laws and regulations.

• Ensure that risk assessments are carried out before using radiation sources and before starting new activities where radiation sources are used.

The local radiation protection coordinator must:

• Administer the local radiation protection work.

• Ensure that all work with radioactive sources, including purchase of waste treatment is in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations at any given time.

• Report to the central radiation protection coordinator.

• As a minimum requirement, have completed a three day course in radiation protection with a pass in the course test and have at least two years experience of working with radiation.

User:

• Must be familiar with and understand the applicable guidelines, procedures and routines.

• Must as a minimum receive training by the local radiation protection coordinator before starting work and as soon as possible complete a radiation protection course:

  • Permanent employees, PhD’s, project employees or students who use radiation sources on a regular basis must complete a three-day course and pass the course test. In this case, a regular basis means monthly or more often.

  • Permanent employees, PhD’s, project employees or guests who use radiation sources for a short period must complete a one-day course in radiation protection.

  • The training must include internal procedures, instructions, risk, protective and measuring equipment, waste management and non-conformance management.

• Prior to starting work, must become familiar with the risk assessments that have been carried out.

6.2 Implementation

• Any use of radiation must be justified. This means that the use of radiation must be necessary and lead to so small doses and so low exposure to the environment as possible.

• A competent person must carry out any work with radiation sources. For this purpose, a competent person means a person who has undergone the necessary training.

• A risk assessment must be carried out for all work with radiation sources.

• All limit values for working with radioactive sources given in the Radiation Protection Regulations, Guidelines 2 and Regulations on measures and limit values must be complied with.

• If a risk assessment shows that an individual may be exposed to more than 6 mSv per twelve months, the individual must undergo a health examination.

• If a risk assessment shows that an individual may be exposed to more than 1 mSv per year, personal dosimeter is required.

• As soon as a pregnancy is known, the employer must ensure that the dose to the foetus does not exceed 1 mSv for the remainder of the pregnancy.

• If the pregnant woman so wishes, the employer must as far as possible offer alternative tasks or relocation.

• All non-conformances must immediately be notified to the local radiation protection coordinator and via UiB’s electronic notification system for HSE non-conformities.

• The central radiation protection coordinator must, within three days, notify any serious non-conformances to the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (see Guideline 2 for supplementary examples of situations to be notified):

  • serious unintentional exposure of an individual

  • emissions into the environment

  • loss of radiation sources

• Radioactive waste must be managed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, (see “Guidelines for the disposal of hazardous waste and problem waste, ionising radiation sources and explosive waste”).

7. References

• Working Environment Act

• The Radiation Protection Act (NO)

• The Radiation Protection Regulations (NO)

• Regulations relating to systematic health, environmental and safety activities in enterprises (Internal Control Regulations) (NO)

• Regulation on the application of the Pollution Control Act to radioactive contamination and radioactive waste (NO)

• Waste Regulations (NO)

• Regulations relating to performing work, the use of work equipment and associated technical requirements (Regulations relating to performing work)

• Regulations on measures and limit values

• Guideline 2. Use of open radioactive sources in a laboratory (NO)

• Guideline 14. Guidance on radiation use in dentistry (NO)

• Guidelines for handling and disposal of hazardous waste and problematic waste, and explosive waste

For further reference to relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, guidance/methods and tools, see the HSE-gateway.

Drawn up by: HSE section, Division of Human Resources

Adopted by: The Working Environment Committee 04.10.2018

Replaces: “Guideline for radiation protection and use of radiation at UiB”, of 18.11.2008

Date	Comment	Entered by
11.oktober 2022	Oppdatering av lenker i 7. References	Mona Viksøy
Thursday 18 feb 2021	Oppdatering av lenker i 7. References	Mona Viksøy
Monday 07 January 2019 1:23:33 pm	Oppdatering av 7. References	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 07 January 2019 1:10:09 pm	Mindre tekstjustering.	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 07 January 2019 12:55:42 pm	Mindre tekstjustering.	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 07 January 2019 12:50:18 pm	Oppdaterer navn, Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 07 January 2019 12:46:16 pm	Oppdaterer navn, Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 07 January 2019 12:40:54 pm	Minor adjustment	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 15 October 2018 11:25:18 am	Minor adjustment	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 15 October 2018 11:22:24 am	Publishing revised guidelines	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 15 October 2018 10:15:55 am	Updating chapter 6.1, Local Radiation Protection Coordinator	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 15 October 2018 10:12:14 am	Updating chapter 6.1, Local Radiation Protection Coordinator	Olaug Eiksund