Welcome to the MU EHS web-based Radiation Safety Manual (RSM) which covers requirements for using radioactive materials (RAM). As of 2019, the manual has been converted from its former PDF format into a more user friendly web-based version. To learn more about both the Procedures and License Commitments of the Radiation Safety Program, both of which have been developed based on MU's NRC Radioactive Material License, please review each section below. If you are looking for additional information which you cannot find or have any recommendations to make the web based manual more user friendly, you may contact EHS at rad@missouri.edu. 

The University of Missouri (MU) Campus possesses a broad scope license issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).  The license allows MU to receive, possess, use, and transfer byproduct, source, special nuclear material, accelerator-produced radioactive materials and some naturally occurring radioactive materials (RAM).  The license covers much of the radioactive material work conducted at the MU. The State of Missouri regulates x-rays and administers their program in a similar manner to the NRC.

MU has established an overall Radiation Safety Program (RSP) with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) by defining the organization and management, procedures, record keeping, radioactive material control, accounting and management review necessary to assure safe use of radioactive material at MU. 

The use of byproduct materials authorized by the MU license is controlled by the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), and is administered by the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), and the Radiation Safety Staff (RSS).  The RSC may authorize individuals to use byproduct material in accordance with established review and approval procedures and criteria established by the RSC. 

Certain activities are not permitted under a broad scope license.  MU is not authorized to:

• Conduct tracer studies in the environment involving the direct release of radioactive material;
• Receive, acquire, own, possess, use, transfer or import sealed devices containing 100,000 curies or more of byproduct material;
• Conduct activities to manufacture or transfer certain items containing byproduct material, or perform industrial radiography operations;
• Add or cause the addition of byproduct material to any food or other product designated for ingestion or inhalation by, or application to, a human being, except as approved under medical use portion of the license.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1: Radiation Safety Procedures

These procedures provide the radiation user with instructions on completing common tasks 

1. Ordering RAM
2. Receiving and Opening RAM Packages
3. Using RAM or Reviewing your Semi-Annual Inventory Verification Report
4. Transferring and Disposing of RAM
5. Monitoring the lab for contamination and using a survey instrument
6. Monitoring internal and external dose (including dosimetry and bioassays)
7. Cleaning up a spill
8. Moving out of a RAM space
9. Identifying and Training Ancillary Workers

Section 2: MU NRC License Commitments

The Radiation Safety Program's requirements are dictated by specific items listed in the MU's NRC RAM license application materials. These license commitments are enforced by MU EHS to ensure the safe use of RAM. This page will guide you through the license commitments which each Radiation Worker must follow.

1. Worker's Rights (10 CFR 19 Reporting Requirements)
2. ALARA Policy including dose limits
3. Dosimetry and bioassay requirements
4. Training requirements
5. Roles and responsibilities of Radiation Workers
6. Permit application policies
7. Survey requirements
8. Security of RAM
9. Transportation of RAM
10. Posting and Labeling Requirements
11. Radioactive waste
12. Inspections and Permit Audits
13. Written directives
14. Long term storage of RAM and Inactivation Requirements
15. Direct Receipt of RAM

Page last updated on June 13, 2024.