Part 600: Training and User Categories

• 600.10 Introduction
• 600.20 Training Requirements
• 600.30 Definitions of Users

600.10 Introduction

Individuals will be allowed to use radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment with varying levels of authority depending on their experience and training with radioactive materials and in radiation safety. The authorized user will list all personnel using radioactive material or radiation-producing equipment and their user status in his/her original application to use radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment. The authorized user must notify the radiation safety officer of any personnel changes that occur after obtaining a radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment authorization.

600.20 Training Requirements

1. Radiation Safety Orientation Workshop - All individuals who plan on using radioactive materials or will be working in areas that use radioactive materials will be required to attend an orientation workshop. This workshop will cover the basics of our radiation safety program; hazards associated with radioactive materials; basic safe working practices; the concept of ALARA and allowable exposure limits, including a "declared pregnant" worker; what to do and who to contact in an emergency; where information is available on rules and regulations, license information, and user authorizations; and the reporting of unsafe conditions. This orientation will satisfy the training requirements for entering a restricted area.
2. Radiation Safety Training Course - Individuals who would like to work with radioactive materials under limited supervision or would like further training in radiation safety may attend the radiation safety training course. This training will cover the basics of health physics, including the characteristics of the different types of radiation and the health and biological effects; the university's radiation safety manual; safe working practices, including personal protective equipment, use of fume hoods, animal handling, and preventing exposure from radioactive materials and radiation; emergency response guidelines; dosimetry and monitoring, including bioassay requirements; and the characteristics of the radioisotopes commonly used at the university. To successfully complete this course, the individual must attend all training sessions and pass a course test at a level of seventy percent or better.
3. Maintenance Staff Training Course - Maintenance personnel (custodial, shops, and other service personnel) who have reason to enter an area using radioactive materials but who do not work with radioactive materials will be required to attend a training course. This course will discuss the basics of radiation; health and biological effects; radioactive symbols, signs and markings; the types of radioactive materials used; and, what to be aware of and who to contact before conducting any work, such as working on plumbing systems, ventilation systems, fume hoods, repairing equipment, custodial activities, etc. This training course will satisfy the training requirements for entering a restricted area.
4. Analytical X-Ray Safety Training Course - Individuals who would like to work with analytical x-ray equipment will be required to attend an analytical x-ray safety training course. This course will cover the physics and characteristics of x-rays; the components of analytical x-ray machines; health and biological effects of x-rays; and safety precautions and safety features of x-ray machines.
5. Visitors, Students, Salespeople, and Other Guests - Individuals who only rarely enter an area using radioactive materials will not be required to have any training provided they are accompanied at all times by an authorized or general supervised user.
6. Radioactive Materials Transportation Course - Personnel who transport radioactive materials on public roads will be required to attend a radioactive materials transportation course. This training is a requirement of the Department of Transportation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and covers general transportation information, job-specific information, emergency response and notification procedures, and driver information.

600.30 Definitions of Users

1. Authorized User - An employee of the University of Idaho who is deemed qualified by the Radiation Safety Committee to purchase, possess, and use radioactive material or radiation-producing equipment as specified in the authorization issued. An authorized user shall have:
   1. At minimum a bachelor-level college degree (or equivalent training and experience) in physical or biological science, or engineering; and
   2. At minimum 40 hours of training and experience including but not limited to: the safe handling, characteristics, units, detection instrumentation, and biological hazards related to radiation.
   Documentation of education and training will be required by the Radiation Safety Committee.
   
   The authorized user is responsible for arranging or providing training and instruction in the safe procedures of all radioactive material and radiation-producing equipment practices to all personnel conducting activities in his/her facilities. The authorized user is required to document all such training.
2. Primary Supervised User - An employee or student of the University of Idaho who has experience and training in the use of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment. A primary supervised user can use radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment under the supervision of, but not necessarily in the presence of, the authorized user and may also provide training to other personnel listed in the same authorization. This person must meet the following requirements:
1. Successfully complete the University of Idaho's radiation safety training course;
2. Have already received approval by the Radiation Safety Committee as a general supervised user; and
3. Receive approval by the Radiation Safety Committee as a primary supervised user. Approval must be requested in writing by the authorized user and must document the training and experience the proposed primary supervised user has received in the use of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment. The authorized user must also certify that he/she has observed the techniques and procedures used by this person and state that this person has the knowledge and experience to train other personnel in the use of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment.
3. General Supervised User - An employee or student of the University of Idaho who has experience and training in the use of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment and radiation safety may be approved by the Radiation Safety Committee as a general supervised user. A general supervised user can use radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment under the supervision of, but not necessarily in the presence of, the authorized user. This person must meet the following requirements:
1. Successfully complete the University of Idaho's radiation safety training course;
2. Receive training from the authorized user or primary supervised user in the safe handling and use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment as specified in the authorization issued; and
3. Receive approval by the Radiation Safety Committee as a general supervised user. Approval must be requested in writing by the authorized user. The request must document the training and experience the proposed general supervised user has received in the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment.
4. Direct Supervised User - An employee or student of the University of Idaho who may use radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment only in the physical presence of, and under the supervision of, an authorized user, a primary supervised user, or a general supervised user.
5. Analytical X-Ray Equipment Operator - An employee or student of the University of Idaho who has experience and training in the use of radiation-producing equipment and radiation safety and is recommended by the authorized user may be approved by the radiation safety officer to operate a specific analytical x-ray machine with minimal supervision. Before approval can be granted, the individual must take the analytical x-ray safety training course offered by the radiation safety officer.
6. Exceptions:
1. Those persons who only use soil density gauges and neutron moisture probes and have received a commercial eight hour safety training course in the use of these instruments, may substitute this training for the requirement listed in 600.30(B)(1).
2. Those persons who only use electron capture detectors that contain a sealed radioactive source are exempt from the general supervised user and direct supervised user requirements (all other requirements, such as obtaining authorization to use radioactive materials, etc., must be complied with).