Radiation Safety Policy

Effective Date: September 2000
Review Date: June 2023
Revision Date:  June 2023
Signature/Position: Vice-President, Finance and Operations

Applicable Legislation:

Nuclear Safety and Control Act and Regulations:

• General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations
• Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
• Radiation Protection Regulations
• Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations 
• Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations
• Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015
• Nuclear Security Regulations
• Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations

Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations

• R.R.O 1990 Reg. 861 X-Ray Safety

Healing Arts and Radiation Protection Act and Regulations

• R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 543 X-Ray Safety Code

Applicable Standards and Guidelines

• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) -Issued Licenses
• American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers ANSI Z136.1
• Ministry of Labour Guideline – Lasers in Ontario Workplaces
• Health Canada – Safety Code 6, Limits of Human Exposure to radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz 
• Health Canada – Safety Code 28, Radiation Protection in Veterinary Medicine
• Health Canada – Safety Code 32, Safety Requirements and Guidance for Analytical X-ray Equipment

Intent

The intent of this policy is to establish the requirements for appropriate management of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation risks at the University of Guelph.

Application:

This policy applies to all University of Guelph employees (faculty and staff), students, visitors, and contractors involved in research, teaching, clinical and operational activities using ionizing and non-ionizing radiation at the University of Guelph including the regional campus, research stations, and approved University field sites. 

Policy: 

1. Consistent with the objectives of the University’s Environmental Health and Safety Policy, the University is committed to the safe management and use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and radiation devices to ensure health protection, workplace safety and regulatory compliance. 
2. The University will establish and maintain a Radiation Safety Program that will manage and rigorously control all ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and radiation devices used at the University.  The University shall regularly review and make appropriate amendments to the program
3. Working safely with radiation is the responsibility of everyone involved in the use and management of radioactive sources and equipment.  It is the University’s expectation that all individuals adhere to the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle and follow all regulatory requirements and the requirements of the University of Guelph outlined in:
   1. The Radiation Safety Manual for the acquisition, use, storage, transportation and disposal of nuclear substances, radiation devices and prescribed equipment.
   2. The X-ray Safety Manual for the acquisition, use, and decommissioning of X-ray devices.
   3. The Laser Safety Manual for the acquisition, use, and decommissioning of Class IIIb and Class IV lasers.
4. The Radiation Safety Officer(s) (RSO) is responsible for the implementation and management of the Radiation Safety Program.  The RSO is authorized by the University to stop all work and suspend any activity involving the use of radioactive sources or equipment that may pose a threat to the health and safety of an individual or that would violate the University’s CNSC-issued license conditions or regulatory compliance.
5. The University shall maintain a Radiation Safety Committee.  Members of the committee are appointed by the Vice President, Finance, and Operations.   The committee advises senior management and the RSO on matters related to radiation safety.  Their primary responsibility is the oversight of the Radiation Safety Program.

Glossary:

Ionizing Radiation
Radiation with sufficient energy that it can knock electrons out of their atomic orbit creating an ion.  Includes alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation as well as x-rays.

Non-Ionizing Radiation
Radiation with insufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules.  Includes microwave, visible, ultraviolet, infrared, and radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.