Becoming a Radiation Worker

 

In order to handle Radioactive Materials on MU's campus, each individual must become an approved Radiation Worker (RW). A Radiation Worker is an individual trained in radiation safety who is approved to work under the authorization of an AU with radioactive material without direct supervision. The AU is responsible for each RW and their acts of commission or omission who are approved to work under the authorization. A RW may work under more than one authorization at a time but must be approved by each AU. Please review the information on this page prior to contacting a member of the Radiation Safety Staff with questions on becoming a Radiation Worker.

General steps to become a Radiation Worker include:

  1. Fill out the worker registration, and request to be added to the Radiation Safety, Training permit. This may take up to 48 hours.
    • Select the permit number R-00180 if using RAM or both RAM and X-Rays
    • Select the permit number X-00021 if using X-Rays only
    • If you receive an error saying "Invalid login credentials," select the "First-Time User?" button. More instructions are available under the Frequently Asked Questions section of this page.
  2. Once you have access to EHSA, log in and complete the assigned online training. For assistance with accessing the training, watch the "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records" tutorial video on the EHSA Tutorial webpage.
  3. If you need to take in-person training after the online training (applicable for research only), then you will need to register for the in-person course.
    • You can register for the in-person course the same way as you access the online training. Watch the "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records" tutorial video on the EHSA Tutorial webpage.
    • You will only be able to see the in-person course and register once you complete the previous steps!
    • If you are not on the Radiation Safety, Training permit R-00180 AND have not completed the online course, then the in-person course registration will not appear to you.
  4. After completing the required trainings, you must fill out the Radiation Worker Application in EHSA.
    • If you do not fill out the RW application, you are not allowed to work with RAM!
    • If your Authorized User or Permitted Individual does not sign off on the RW application, you are not allowed to work with RAM!
    • Failure to complete these steps will result in an inspection violation for your Authorized User or Permitted Individual.
    • For assistance with filling out the RW Application, a tutorial video "Fill out the Radiation/X-Ray Worker Application" is available.
  5. Once all these steps have been completed, you are now a Radiation Worker.

There are various types of RWs that require different training courses. Are you going to be performing:

Additional information on this page related to becoming a Radiation Worker or maintaining Radiation Worker status include:

Additional Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Radiation Workers in Research Labs

To become a RW performing research in a laboratory setting, you must:

  1. Complete the training course EHS 401 Introduction to Radiation Safety - Part 1 with a passing grade of 80% or higher. You can register for this course by following the instructions on the Radiation Safety Online Training page. You can also find additional information for completing online training on the Training page.
    • If this is your first time logging into EHSA, click on the "First-Time User" button on the login page. From there, you will be able to register as a worker. Note that it may take up to 24 hours before your worker registration status appears in EHSA. If you already have a profile in EHSA but are unsure about how to log in, the tutorial video "Login to EHS Assist" is available on the Tutorials page.
    • You must be listed on a permit prior to accessing any online training. If you log into EHSA and do not see the training link as discussed on the Training page, contact your Authorized User or Lead Radiation Worker. They will need to put in a request to add you to the appropriate permits. Tutorial videos are available on the Tutorial page to "Add/Edit Worker to a Permit" as well as "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records". If you are not listed on the correct permit, your training requirements may be inaccurate as listed on the training portal.
    • Once you have logged into EHSA using your University Pawprint and associated password, you can access the training portal as described in the tutorial video "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records" on the Tutorial page. You must log into the training portal with your "umsystem.edu" email address. If you log in with your "health.missouri.edu" or "missouri.edu" email address, your training requirements will not appear. If you accidentally log in with the incorrect email address, you may need to either clear your cache and cookies on your browser or open a different internet browser to re-enter the correct version of your email address.
  2. Receive authorization specific training from your Authorized User, the Lead Radiation Worker, or a fellow Radiation Worker under the authorization in which you will be working. For topics which should be covered during authorization specific training, see the Training Guide for Radiation Workers which can be found using the Rad Forms link to the right.
  3. Register and attend EHS 402 Introduction to Radiation Safety - Part 2. To register for this course, log into EHS Assistant with your university pawprint and associated password. Note: this is an in-person training course offered once every other month. Please plan accordingly. You must complete EHS 401 before you can register for EHS 402 and be listed on the Radiation Safety, Training R-00180 permit with the worker function RWR - Radiation Worker Research before the option to register for EHS 402 appears.
  4. Fill out the digital Radiation Worker Application via EHS Assistant. A tutorial video titled "Fill out the Radiation/X-Ray Worker Application" is available on the EHSA Tutorials page and provides instructions on filling out the form online. Any information filled out incorrectly may delay your approval as a Radiation Worker.
  5. If you need dosimetry, fill out the digital Dosimetry Application via EHS Assistant. A tutorial video titled "Fill out the Dosimetry Application" is available on the EHSA Tutorials page and provides instructions on filling out the form online. Any information filled out incorrectly may delay ordering dosimetry. Additional information on dosimetry can be found on the Monitoring Internal and External Exposure page. If you are unsure whether you need dosimetry, discuss with your AU or one of the Radiation Safety Staff.

 

Veterinary Clinical Radiation Workers

To become a RW performing clinical work with animals, you must:

  1. Complete the training course EHS 403 Veterinary Medicine Imaging Safety Orientation with a passing grade of 80% or higher. You can register for this course by following the instructions on the Radiation Safety Online Training page. You can also find additional information for completing online training on the Training page.
    • If this is your first time logging into EHSA, click on the "First-Time User" button on the login page. From there, you will be able to register as a worker. Note that it may take up to 24 hours before your worker registration status appears in EHSA. If you already have a profile in EHSA but are unsure about how to log in, the tutorial video "Login to EHS Assist" is available on the Tutorials page.
    • You must be listed on a permit prior to accessing any online training. If you log into EHSA and do not see the training link as discussed on the Training page, contact your Authorized User or Lead Radiation Worker. They may need to put in a request to add you to the appropriate permits. Tutorial videos are available on the Tutorial page to "Add/Edit Worker to a Permit" as well as "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records". If you are not listed on the correct permit, your training requirements may be inaccurate as listed on the training portal.
    • Once you have logged into EHSA using your University Pawprint and associated password, you can access the training portal as described in the tutorial video "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records" on the Tutorial page. You must log into the training portal with your "umsystem.edu" email address. If you log in with your "health.missouri.edu" or "missouri.edu" email address, your training requirements will not appear. If you accidentally log in with the incorrect email address, you may need to either clear your cache and cookies on your browser or open a different internet browser to re-enter the correct version of your email address.
  2. Receive authorization specific in-person training from your Authorized User, the Lead Radiation Worker, or a fellow Radiation Worker under the authorization in which you will be working. For topics which should be covered during authorization specific training, see the Training Guide for Radiation Workers which can be found using the Rad Forms link to the right. You will need to coordinate this training by going through Veterinary Medicine Staff, not EHS.
  3. Fill out the digital Radiation Worker Application via EHS Assistant. A tutorial video titled "Fill out the Radiation/X-Ray Worker Application" is available on the EHSA Tutorials page and provides instructions on filling out the form online. Any information filled out incorrectly may delay your approval as a Radiation Worker.
  4. If you need dosimetry, fill out the digital Dosimetry Application via EHS Assistant. A tutorial video titled "Fill out the Dosimetry Application" is available on the EHSA Tutorials page and provides instructions on filling out the form online. Any information filled out incorrectly may delay ordering dosimetry. Additional information on dosimetry can be found on the Monitoring Internal and External Exposure page. If you are unsure whether you need dosimetry, discuss with your AU or one of the Radiation Safety Staff.

 

Human Clinical Radiation Workers

To become a RW performing clinical work with humans, you must:

  1. Complete each of the following online training courses that applies to your job specific duties:
    • EHS 420 Radiation Safety for Radiation Oncology
    • EHS 421 Radiation Safety for Y-90 Microspheres
    • EHS 430 Radiation Safety for Nuclear Medicine
    • EHS 432 Radiation Safety Training for Physicians Injecting Radioactive Material
  2. If you are unsure which training course to take, consult with your AU or assigned HP. Depending on your job function, you may need to take more than one. You must achieve a passing grade of 80% or higher on every course quiz you take. You can register for each course by following the instructions on the Radiation Safety Online Training page. You can also find additional information for completing online training on the Training page.
    • If this is your first time logging into EHSA, click on the "First-Time User" button on the login page. From there, you will be able to register as a worker. Note that it may take up to 24 hours before your worker registration status appears in EHSA. If you already have a profile in EHSA but are unsure about how to log in, the tutorial video "Login to EHS Assist" is available on the Tutorials page.
    • You must be listed on a permit prior to accessing any online training. If you log into EHSA and do not see the training link as discussed on the Training page, contact your Authorized User or Lead Radiation Worker. They may need to put in a request to add you to the appropriate permits. Tutorial videos are available on the Tutorial page to "Add/Edit Worker to a Permit" as well as "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records". If you are not listed on the correct permit, your training requirements may be inaccurate as listed on the training portal.
    • Once you have logged into EHSA using your University Pawprint and associated password, you can access the training portal as described in the tutorial video "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records" on the Tutorial page. You must log into the training portal with your "umsystem.edu" email address. If you log in with your "health.missouri.edu" or "missouri.edu" email address, your training requirements will not appear. If you accidentally log in with the incorrect email address, you may need to either clear your cache and cookies on your browser or open a different internet browser to re-enter the correct version of your email address.
  3. Receive authorization specific training from your Authorized User, the Lead Radiation Worker, or a fellow Radiation Worker under the authorization in which you will be working. For topics which should be covered during authorization specific training, see the Training Guide for Radiation Workers which can be found using the Rad Forms link to the right.
  4. Fill out the digital Radiation Worker Application via EHS Assistant. A tutorial video titled "Fill out the Radiation/X-Ray Worker Application" is available on the EHSA Tutorials page and provides instructions on filling out the form online. Any information filled out incorrectly may delay your approval as a Radiation Worker.
  5. If you need dosimetry, fill out the digital Dosimetry Application via EHS Assistant. A tutorial video titled "Fill out the Dosimetry Application" is available on the EHSA Tutorials page and provides instructions on filling out the form online. Any information filled out incorrectly may delay ordering dosimetry. Additional information on dosimetry can be found on the Monitoring Internal and External Exposure page. If you are unsure whether you need dosimetry, discuss with your AU or one of the Radiation Safety Staff.

 

How to Fill Out the Radiation Worker Application

A tutorial video titled "Fill out the Radiation/X-Ray Worker Application" is availabe on the EHSA Tutorials page. Be sure to include your AU. The information entered in the tutorial video is for example only. If you need to be added to a ram permit, select the permit that starts with "R". If you need to be added to an x-ray permit, select the permit that starts with "X". If you need to be added to more than one permit, you will need to fill the form out for each. All digital forms must be filled out by the requesting individual because they require a digital signature.

 

Refresher Training Information

RWs working in research laboratory or veterinary medicine clinical settings are required to complete radiation safety refresher training once every three years. RWs working in a clincal setting with humans must complete refresher training once every year.

  • If you are a RW in a research laboratory setting, go to the Radiation Safety Online Training page and complete the course EHS 410 Radiation Safety Refresher. Refresher training is required every 3 years.
  • If you are a RW in a veterinary medicine clincical setting, go to the Radiation Safety Online Training page and complete the course EHS 413 Veterinary Medicine Radiation Safety Refresher. Refresher training is required every 3 years.
  • If you are a RW in a human clinical setting, please complete the same exact courses that were initially required unless your job duties have changed. Course options for RWs in a clinical setting with humans can be found in the RW performing clinical work with humans section. Medical radiation safety training refresher is required annually.

 

Removal of Radiation Workers

When a RW is no longer working under an authorization, submit a request to remove an individual through EHSA. See the tutorial video "Add/Edit Worker to a Permit" on the Tutorials page for assistance. If dosimetry needs to be cancelled, add a comment in the request.

 

Importing Large Number of Radiation Workers into EHSA

If you have a large number of workers (>10) that need to be added to EHSA so that training can be accessed, email rad@missouri.edu to obtain a copy of the spreadsheet import file. When filling out the spreadsheet,

  • Make sure that every cell is filled out properly. Submissions will be rejected if the spreadsheet is not filled out correctly.
  • Pawprint needs to be the University assigned pawprint, not the alias. Using a worker's alias will further delay their access to training.
  • If adding the workers for the first time to EHSA, then the PI will need to be the "Radiation Safety, Training" RAM permit. If all workers have completed training already and need to be directly added to their Authorized User, then specify the Authorized User under the "PI Name" column.
  • Worker Function must be selected. A worker function determines a worker's training course. See the Radiation Safety Training page for a description of each available worker function. 

This spreadsheet can also be used to remove a large number of workers from a RAM permit. Fill it out in the same manner as adding workers. Submit all spreadsheets to your assigned Health Physicist or rad@missouri.edu. 

 

Generally Licensed Device Only Users

A generally licensed device, or GLD for short, is defined by the NRC as a device containing radioactive material that is typically used to detect, measure, gauge, or control the thickness, density, level, or chemical composition of various items. Examples of such devices are gas chromatographs (detector cells), gensity gauges, fill-level gauges, and static elimination devices. If you plan on working with RAM only in the form of a GLD, then requirements may slightly differ when applying for an authorization or becoming a Radiation Worker. Radiation Workers who exclusively work with GLDs will only need to take EHS 401 Introduction to Radiation Safety Part 1; EHS 402 Introduction to Radiation Safety Part 2 is not required. EHS 401 will cover all the regulatory requirements for using any type of RAM while EHS 402 is intended to instruct Radiation Workers on how to use a survey meter and other practical applications for unsealed RAM. If you are unsure if you fit into this category, contact the Radiation Safety Staff at rad@missouri.edu for assistance. 

 

EHSA Login and Training Issues

If you are having issues logging into EHSA for the first time, there are a couple of steps to check before contacting Radiation Safety with questions

I tried my MU credentials, but I'm getting the "Invalid login credentials" error.

If this appears, you may not have a profile set up in EHS Assistant. Select the "First-Tume User?" button and fill out all the questions that appear. Make sure to select the Permitted Individual as Radiation Safety, Training. Select the permit R-00180 for ram or ram and x-ray use, or select the permit R-00021 for x-ray only use. Also select the worker function. Failure to select a worker function can delay access to EHSA.

I don't know what my worker function should be, why is that important?

Worker functions are used in EHSA to assign training. If you do not select a worker function, the Radiation Safety Staff will have to follow up with you to determine your job duties; this can delay access to EHSA. Selecting a worker function during the initial process speeds up your access. You can review a list of available worker functions on the Radiation Safety Training webpage.

I tried to select the "First-Time User?" button, but I'm getting an error saying "Login ID could not be validated. Please contact your administrator."

This error means that you already have a user profile in EHSA and will not be able to complete worker registration yourself. If you receive this error, you will need to contact your Authorized User, Permitted Individual, or Lab Manager. EHSA has different access rights based on your job function. Once logged into EHSA, the worker registration button only appears for AUs, PI, and their delegates. It also only appears if you do not have a profile in EHSA. If your AU or PI does not know how to fill out the worker registration, direct them to the tutorial video "Add/Edit Worker to a Permit" where they can request to add you to the Radiation Safety, Training permit. They should not request to add you to their own permit because you have not completed your required training(s) yet.

I've followed all the steps to get access to EHSA, and I'm still getting a login error saying "Invalid login credentials."

At this point, if you have followed all the steps correctly and still receive this error, then contact the Radiation Safety Staff at rad@missouri.edu. It most likely means that your access rights were not set up correctly during the worker registration process.

I have access to EHSA and I'm on a chem/bio permit, why isn't my radiation safety training course showing up in the training portal?

The training portal in EHSA will only display training courses based on your worker function(s). If you already have access to EHSA and skipped all the above steps, then try to access the radiation safety training courses, you most likely won't see them since you are not on the Radiation Safety, Training permit with a worker function. In this instance, you must have your AU, PI, or Lab manager fill out the worker registration for you. If your AU or PI does not know how to fill out the worker registration, direct them to the tutorial video "Add/Edit Worker to a Permit" where they can request to add you to the Radiation Safety, Training permit. They should not request to add you to their own permit because you have not completed your required training(s) yet.

I have access to EHSA, why can't I register for the in-person course EHS 402?

If you try to register for the in-person EHS 402 training course and see no classes listed, you most likely have not completed all the necessary steps listed at the beginning of this webpage. Please review the steps to get added to the Radiation Safety, Training permit. Registration for the course will not appear until you 1) are listed on the Radiation Safety, Training permit with the worker function "Radiation Worker - Research" (RWR) and 2) complete and pass EHS 401 online.

 

Page last updated on October 13, 2023.