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Appendix 16 - Laboratory rules - Unsealed sources

1. EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING, APPLYING COSMETICS etc. are FORBIDDEN.
2. NO MOUTH OPERATIONS, pipetting etc.
3. WEAR LABORATORY COATS and other protective clothing if necessary.
4. WEAR GLOVES when there is a possibility of the hands becoming contaminated. Then USE TISSUES when handling taps and switches etc.
5. WEAR YOUR PERSONAL DOSIMETER and FINGER DOSIMETERS if these have been issued to you.
6. KEEP PERSONAL BELONGINGS AWAY FROM RADIOACTIVE AREAS.
7. TO CONTAIN CONTAMINATION use BENCHKOTE and TRAYS. Keep CONTAMINATION AS LOW AS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE and BELOW PRESCRIBED LIMITS.
8. TO CONTAIN RADIOACTIVE GAS, DUST or FUMES use an APPROVED FUME CUPBOARD or GLOVE BOX.
9. TO CONTAIN PENETRATING RADIATIONS use appropriate SHIELDING to keep DOSE RATES BELOW 2.5µSvh^-l whenever reasonably practicable.
10. MONITOR YOURSELF and the immediate WORK AREA at the end of EACH WORK SESSION, whenever radioactive substances have been used.
11. ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS after working with radioactive substances.
12. DO A FULL MONITORING SURVEY of the LABORATORY when directed by your D.R.P.S.. The results of these surveys should be recorded for future reference.
13. THE MINIMUM OF EQUIPMENT should be kept in the RADIOISOTOPE AREA. Wherever possible, equipment should be clearly marked and set aside solely for use with radioisotopes.
14. SEGREGATE CONTAMINATED ITEMS and CLEAN THOROUGHLY. DO NOT REMOVE ANY ITEM from the radioisotope area until it has been MONITORED and found to be FREE OF CONTAMINATION.
15. KEEP RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS IN PROPERLY LABELLED CONTAINERS IN AN APPROVED STORE
16. KEEP ACCURATE RECORDS OF ALL RECEIPTS, STOCK AND WASTE. It is an offence under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 not to have these UP-TO-DATE AT ALL TIMES.
17. In the event of any ACCIDENT or INCIDENT involving radioactive materials INFORM your D.R.P.S. or URPA or if these are not available then contact the University Safety Adviser IMMEDIATELY.

Further information on monitoring, dealing with spills and the disposal of waste etc. can be found in the Local Rules, and help and guidance is always available from Radiation Protection Service.