If you can't find the information you are looking for, or for information on radiation use in specific departments, talk to your Radiation Safety Officer or Laser Safety Officer. (See table of RSOs and LSOs)
The Monash Radiation Safety Manual (yellow folder) should be available in all laboratories where ionising radiation is used.
Download the Monash radiation safety manual (pdf 1.1Mb) (Note that this incorporates the Manual for users of ionising radiation).
there are a number of Monash OHS procedures covering different aspects of ionising radiation use at Monash. The overarching document is Using ionising radiation at Monash University (pdf 125kb)
Ionising radiation training
Training in the use of ionising radiation is provided at a range of levels, including by laboratory supervisors, safety personnel and OH&S.
Supervisors provide induction and training in the use of ionising radiation in the laboratory that they supervise, and in the location and use of local risk assessments, monitors, personal protective equipment, equipment and procedures. Training may also be provided on a departmental level by local safety personnel, experts or the OHS consultant.
OH&S supplies two multimedia training CDs, Basic Principles of Ionising Radiation and Practical Principles of Ionising Radiation. These can be obtained from your RSO.
Ionising radiation exams
OH&S has an on-line exam that must be undertaken (and passed) by all staff, honours and postgraduate students who work with unsealed sources of ionising radiation, before commencement of work.
Personal monitoring
Staff and students who use ionising radiation in their work are issued a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) through their department. Contact your RSO to arrange issue of a dosimeter or to check your results. Procedures for the university TLD program are outlined in Ionising radiation dosimetry procedures (pdf 50kb)
Risk assessment of your work may indicate the necessity for also wearing a finger badge, or for undergoing assessment of intake of radioactive material.
All workers performing iodinations, for instance, are expected to undergo regular thyroid monitoring. For more information about thyroid monitoring or to arrange a thyroid scan, contact Margaret Rendell (ext 51060) or Chris van den Bergen (ext 51011). Details of the Monash University internal dose assessment program are outlined in the Radiation Safety Manual and the Manual for Users of Ionising Radiation.
To arrange issue of a finger badge, speak to your RSO.
Commencing new work or modifying existing practices
Before you commence new work or study using ionising radiation or modify existing ionising radiation practices ensure that you have done the following:
Storage
For specific advice regarding storage requirements and shielding, contact your RSO.
In general, radioactive sources must be stored:
Waste disposal
Waste disposal must be carried out in accordance with unit/entity rules. Consult your laboratory supervisor. These rules must conform to the university procedures Procedures for disposal of radioactive waste (pdf 118kb)
It can be possible for a radiation worker who becomes pregnant to continue working with radiation, if they feel comfortable doing so. An assessment of the tasks undertaken is made to ensure there is no undue risk, and personal monitoring is increased in frequency. For more information, see the Procedures for protecting the unborn child from the effects of ionising radiation
Issues surrounding the use of radiation during pregnancy can be discussed with your RSO: with the Radiation Protection Officer, Margaret Rendell: or with the OH&S Occupational Health Physician, Vicki Ashton.
Possession of uraniuim and thorium in any form (including salts such as uranyl acetate) is regulated under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987. For more details, see the OH&S information sheet on Uranyl Acetate and Uranyl Nitrate