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7.7 Radiation Protection

7.7 Radiation Protection

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This online version is for convenience; the official version of this policy is housed in the University Secretariat. In case of discrepancy between the online version and the official version held by the Secretariat, the official version shall prevail.

Approving Authority: President

Original Approval Date: September 8, 2004

Date of Most Recent Review/Revision: June 7, 2022

Office of Accountability: Vice-President: Finance and Administration

Administrative Responsibility: Safety, Health, Environment, and Risk Management (SHERM)

1.00 Purpose

1.01 The policy establishes responsibility for the possession, transfer, import, use, storage and disposal of radioactive materials by Laurier faculty, staff, students and visitors in order to reduce potential exposure and be in compliance with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) acts, regulations and guidance documents. Recognizing potential hazards involved in the use of radioactive materials, the policy and the Radiation Safety Program are implemented to keep exposures as low as reasonably achievable.

2.00 Definitions

2.01 As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) Principal: All exposures shall be limited in accordance with the ALARA principle and to within the CNSC prescribed dose limits as specified in the legislation.

Laurier is committed to taking every reasonable precaution to maintain radiation exposures to faculty, staff, students and visitors to ALARA by:

  • Reducing the time of exposure
  • Increasing the distance between the user and the Radiation Material
  • Using the appropriate type of shielding for the Radioactive Material

2.02 Radioactive Material: A solid, liquid or a gas, which emits radiation.

2.03 Radiation Safety Officer (RSO): The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is appointed by the University to oversee the safe possession, transport, import, use, storage and disposal of Radioactive Materials in compliance with the CNSC act, regulations and guidance documents. The RSO acts as a liaison between Laurier and the CNSC in regulatory matters.

2.04 Radiation Safety Committee (RSC):A committee which includes members with expertise in the radiation safety field who are tasked with assisting the RSO with risk assessments, permit reviews and approvals, disputes about radiation safety matters or security concerns.

2.05 Members of the University Community: Persons who currently work or study (in person or online) on any Laurier campus. Members include Students (including student groups), Employees, adjunct and visiting faculty, and volunteers at Laurier.

2.06 Radiation Safety Manual: A document that describes the requirements and procedures established for working with Radioactive Materials and equipment which is based upon legislative requirements and best practices.

2.07 University Property: All buildings or property owned, leased, or operated by the University.

2.08 Principal Investigator: A member of Wilfrid Laurier’s faculty and staff that is responsible for the preparation, conduct, and administration of a research grant for a given research project.

3.00 Jurisdiction/Scope

3.01 This policy applies to all Members of the University Community and visitors using Radioactive Materials at Wilfrid Laurier University.

4.00 Policy

4.01 All records and reports, including detailed inventory of Radioactive Materials is maintained by the Principal Investigator of the research project involving radioactive materials. Records and reports must be available for inspection by the CNSC at the site where the Radioisotope Materials are used.

4.02 Records must be retained by the Principal Investigator for time periods as specified by the CNSC, and no records shall be disposed of without prior notification to the CNSC.

4.03 Principal Investigators must be familiar with and follow the procedures outlined in the Radiation Safety Manual.

4.04 Use of Radioactive Materials on University Property must be approved by the RSC through the application for an internal radioisotope permit.

4.04.01 If permit conditions are violated and/or in non-compliance, the RSC will recommend suspension, cancellation or disciplinary action for the internal radioisotope permit holder.

4.05 Disposal of all radioactive wastes must be in accordance with regulations under the Nuclear Safety & Control Act and as stated on Laurier’s Nuclear Substance and Radiation Device License. Waste must be handled and disposed of in a way that prevents unreasonable risk to the public or the environment.

4.06 Use of Radioactive Materials must be in strict compliance with the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and Regulations and the conditions of the University’s license. All deficiencies must be corrected and reported to the RSC.  

Relevant Legislation

Related Policies, Procedures and Documents

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