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 permit of a Permitted Individual (PI) with radioactive material without direct supervision. The PI is responsible for each RW and their acts of commission or omission who are approved to work under the permit. A RW may work under more than one permit at a time but must be approved by each PI. Please review the information on this page prior to contacting a member of the Radiation Safety Staff with questions on becoming a RW.

 

General steps to become a Radiation Worker include:

  1. Fill out the worker registration in EHS Assistant (EHSA), 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.
    1. Note: if you are a hospital employee, then you can also access the training immediately through the MUHC training platform Cornerstone rather than waiting to gain access to EHSA.
    2. When you are logged into Cornerstone, you will need to manually search for the following courses or you can click the links:
      1. WBT182 Radiation Safety Basics for Radioactive Materials *This course is only required if you will be working with RAM
      2. WBT183 Medical Radiation Safety for Radioactive Materials *This course is only required if you will be working with RAM
      3. WBT184 Dosimetry Training *This course is only required if you will wear a dosimeter
    3. Once you take the training courses, they will be automatically assigned to your training profile with a due date of April 30 every year (except WBT184 which is due every three years).
  3. 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.
  4. 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 490 Radiation Safety Training at MU 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 Permitted Individual 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 permit specific training from your PI, the Lead Radiation Worker, or a fellow Radiation Worker under the permit in which you will be working. For topics which should be covered during permit specific training, see the Training Guide for Radiation Workers which can be found using the Rad Forms link to the right.
  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.

 

 

Veterinary Clinical Radiation Workers

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

  1. Complete the training courses EHS 490 Radiation Safety Training at MU and EHS 492 Veterinary Medicine Specific Radiation Safety Training 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 permit specific in-person training from your Permitted Individual, the Lead Radiation Worker, or a fellow Radiation Worker under the permit in which you will be working. For topics which should be covered during permit 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 the training courses EHS 491 Radiation Safety Training at MU and EHS 493 Radiation Safety Training for Human Medical Use with a passing grade of 80% or higher in EHSA. 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.
    1. Note: if you are a hospital employee, then you can also access the training immediately through the MUHC training platform Cornerstone rather than waiting to gain access to EHSA. This pathway is recommended as it is faster. 
    2. When you are logged into Cornerstone, you will need to manually search for the following courses or you can click the links. 
      1. WBT182 Radiation Safety Basics for Radioactive Materials (Equivalent to EHS 491)
      2. WBT183 Medical Radiation Safety for Radioactive Materials (Equivalent to EHS 493)
      3. WBT184 Dosimetry Training (Equivalent to EHS 480)
    3. Once you take the training courses in Cornerstone, they will be automatically assigned to your training profile with a due date of April 30 every year (except WBT184 which is due every three years).
  2. 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.
  3. Receive function specific training from your Permitted Individual, the Lead Radiation Worker, or a fellow Radiation Worker under the permit 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 training once every three years. RWs working in a clincal setting with humans must complete 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 490 Radiation Safety Training at MU. 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 courses EHS 490 Radiation Safety Training at MU and EHS 492 Veterinary Medicine Specific Radiation Safety Training. Both of these trainings are required every 3 years.
  • If you are a RW in a human clinical setting, go to the Radiation Safety Online Training page and complete the courses EHS 491 Radiation Safety Training at MU and EHS 493 Radiation Safety Training for Human Medical Use. Medical radiation safety training is required annually. Note that you can complete the required trainings through Cornerstone rather than EHSA. Just be aware the course numbers are different! Instead you will take WBT 182 and WBT 183 annually every year by April 30 when other hospital trainings are due.
  • If you wear a dosimeter, then you will need to take EHS 480 Dosimetry Training once every three years. If you are a hospital worker, you can complete this training through Cornerstone where it has the courese number WBT 184 instead. 

 

 

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 490 Radiation Safety Training at MU. 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?

As of 2024, all radiation safety training for radioactive materials is hosted directly in EHSA. If you are not on a permit and not assigned a worker function, then the course will not show up on the training portal as a required course. However, you can search for the course by scrolling down until you see the course you need, then clicking "start". This process is show in more detail in the "Access EHS Training Courses and Training Records" video on the EHSA tutorial video page. 

 

Page last updated on December 18, 2024.