Purpose

Incident response procedures are designed to bring an out‐of‐control situation to a condition that will minimize the risk to workers and the public. Procedures directed towards containing the source of the risk are not meant to recover the situation, but rather to keep the situation from getting worse. Procedures for personnel decontamination are designed to remove as much contamination as possible without damaging the contaminated skin.

Assistance

If you need assistance to bring an incident under control, or guidance on how to recover from it, call Health Physics. Telephone numbers are on the back cover.

Incident records

After you have recovered from an incident, determine its cause and effects. Consider whether procedures, equipment, facilities, or training should be modified to reduce the chance of recurrence. File a record of this in the Radioisotope Journal so that others can learn from your experience.

Surface decontamination

Dish detergent, window cleaner, vinegar, bubble bath, waterless hand cleaner, or oven cleaner are all suitable for cleaning items.

Skin decontamination

Carefully remove contaminated clothing. When cleaning skin, rinse generously, use mild soaps, and take care to not abrade the surface. Simply soaking skin in a mild detergent solution, vinegar, or bubble bath may remove most contamination.

Response procedures

There are ten different incident response procedures provided on the following pages. Select the one that is most appropriate depending on the physical form and source strength of the radiation source.

Small spills: liquids and powders less than the QLM quantity (Note: see separate discussion below for spills involving positron emitters)

  1. Notify persons in the area that a spill has occurred.
  2. Prevent the spread of contamination by covering the spill with absorbent paper.
  3. Clean up the spill using disposable gloves and absorbent paper. Carefully fold the absorbent paper with the clean side out and place in a plastic bag for transfer to a radioactive waste container. Also put the contaminated gloves and any other contaminated disposable material in the bag.
  4. With a low‐range radiation detector survey meter, survey the area around the spill, your hands, clothing, and shoes for contamination. Wash contaminated skin. All personnel contamination (e.g. shoes, skin, clothing) must be reported to Health Physics via phone call.
  5. Report the spill to the PI.

Moderate spills: liquids and powders ≤ 1000x the QLM quantity

  1. Notify persons in the area that a spill has occurred.
  2. Prevent the spread of contamination by covering the spill with absorbent paper.
  3. Clean up the spill using disposable gloves and absorbent paper. Carefully fold the absorbent paper with the clean side out and place it in a plastic bag for transfer to a radioactive waste container. Also put the contaminated gloves and any other contaminated disposable material in the bag.
  4. With a low‐range radiation detector survey meter, survey the area around the spill, your hands, clothing, and shoes for contamination. Wash contaminated skin. All personnel contamination (e.g. shoes, skin, clothing) must be reported to Health Physics via phone call.
  5. Report the spill to Health Physics via phone.

Large spills: liquids and powders more than 1000x the QLM quantity

  1. Clear the area. Order all persons not involved in the spill to vacate the room.
  2. If you can do it safely, prevent the spread of contamination by covering the spill with absorbent paper, but do not attempt to clean it up. To prevent the spread of contamination, limit the movement of all personnel who may be contaminated.
  3. Shield the source if possible. This should be done only if it can be done without further contamination or a significant increase in your radiation exposure.
  4. Notify Health Physics immediately.
  5. With a low‐range radiation detector meter, survey your hands, clothing, and shoes for contamination. Wash contaminated skin.
  6. Health Physics will supervise the cleanup of the spill.

Spill procedures for positron emitters‐ dose rate < 5 mrem/hour at one meter

  1. Notify persons in the area that a spill has occurred.
  2. Survey the spill to determine the dose rate.
  3. Prevent the spread of contamination by covering the spill with absorbent paper.
  4. Clean up the spill using disposable gloves and absorbent paper.
  5. With a low‐range radiation detector survey meter, survey your hands, clothing, shoes, and the area around the spill for contamination. Wash contaminated skin.
  6. Report the spill to the PI.

Spill procedures for positron emitters‐ dose rate < 20 mrem/hour at one meter

  1. Notify persons in the area that a spill has occurred.
  2. Survey the spill to determine the dose rate.
  3. Survey all who are leaving the area for contamination.
  4. If personnel are contaminated, wash the contaminated area with mild soap andwater, and contact PI or Health Physics immediately.
  5. If the spill is small in area place absorbent pad and lead brick at the same timeon the spill.
  6. If the spill is too large in area to be covered by a lead brick, contact HealthPhysics immediately.
  7. After covering, survey the spill area again. If the dose rate is below or equal to 5mrem per hour at 30 cm from the shield surface, label the top of the brick with the nuclide and time of day. Allow the spill to decay in place. If the dose rate is greater than 5 mrem per hour at 30 cm, then add additional shielding to reach this level.
  8. Report the spill to the PI and Health Physics.

Spill procedures for positron emitters‐ dose rate > 20 mrem/hour at one meter

  1. Notify persons in the area that a spill has occurred.
  2. Survey the spill to determine the dose rate.
  3. Order all persons not involved in the spill to vacate the area.
  4.  Survey all who are leaving the area for contamination. Remove all contaminated clothing.
  5.  If personnel are contaminated, wash the contaminated area with mild soap and water, and contact Health Physics immediately.
  6. If the dose rate is less than 100 mrem per hour at one meter and the spill is small in area and can be covered by a lead brick, then place absorbent pad and lead brick at the same time on the spill.
  7. Report the spill to the PI and Health Physics

Spill procedures for positron emitters: When is Health Physics presence required?

  1. If the spill is too large an area to be covered by a lead brick.
  2. If the dose rate is greater than 100 mrem per hour.
  3. If personnel are contaminated.

Ensure there is no entry into the area until Health Physics arrives.

Stuck sources in irradiators

  1. Jiggle the handle to return the source to the stored position.
  2. Activate the manual off control.
  3. If area monitors are alarming, stay out of the beam and close the door. Do not attempt to remove your samples.
  4. Order all persons to leave the room.
  5. Secure the room to prevent entry.
  6. Notify the PI and Health Physics immediately.

Loss, theft, or disappearance of radioactive materials or a radiation device

1. Ask co‐workers if they know where the material is.
2. If they don’t know, promptly call Health Physics. Give your name, the CRA number, and a description of the missing material.
3. Continue to look for the material and interview co‐workers pending arrival of Health Physics.

Unusual events

Although there may or may not be personnel exposure, other unusual events, such as unexpected or widespread contamination, missing or unexpected packages, missing or extra waste, indicate a possible breakdown in administrative or technical procedures. Call Health Physics for assistance.