Radiation Safety Committee (RSC)

The Radiation Safety Committee is established at the University consistent with applicable regulations, including the provisions of a radioactive material broad scope license.

Members include one authorized user for each type of use, the Radiation Safety Officer, a representative of the nursing service, and a representative of management who is neither an authorized user nor a Radiation Safety Officer. As currently instituted, the Radiation Cicero Research Evaluation PortalSafety Committee develops policies and performs oversight functions. Its day-to-day activities are performed by subcommittees. Currently, these are Human Use and Research Subcommittees. Furthermore, the Radioactive Drug Research Committee operates as a subcommittee of the Radiation Safety Committee.

Functions of the Radiation Safety Committee:

  • To ensure that radioactive material will be used safely. This includes a review of training programs, equipment, facilities, supplies, and procedures;
  • To ensure that radioactive material is used in compliance with federal and state regulations and the institution's licenses;
  • To establish a program to ensure that all persons whose duties may require them to work in or frequent areas where radioactive materials are used are appropriately instructed as required by the regulations. These include nursing, security, and housekeeping.
  • To ensure that the use of radioactive materials are consistent with the ALARA policy
  • To identify program problems and solutions.

Responsibilities of the Radiation Safety Committee:

  • Familiarity with all pertinent state and federal regulations, the license application, the license(s), and amendments.
  • Review the training and experience of the proposed authorized users to determine that their qualifications are adequate to use radioactive materials safely and in accordance with the regulations and the license.
  • Review and recommend approval or denial, consistent with the limitations of the regulations, the license(s), and ALARA policy, all requests for authorization to use radioactive materials within the institution.
  • Recommend special conditions that will be required during a proposed method of use of radioactive material such as requirements for bioassay and special monitoring procedures.
  • Meet and review at least quarterly the Radiation Safety Officer's report of the occupational radiation exposure records of all individuals or groups of workers whose exposure exceed the levels established in ALARA Policy or the exposure appears unusual or inconsistent with prior exposures.
  • Review at least annually the Radiation Safety Officer's summary report of the entire radiation safety program to determine that all activities are being conducted safely, in accordance with state and federal regulations and the conditions of the licenses, and consistent with the institution's ALARA policy. The review will include an examination of records, reports from the Radiation Safety Officer, results of state inspections and the adequacy of the management control system.
  • Maintain written minutes of all committee meetings, including members in attendance and members absent, discussions, actions, recommendations, decisions, and numerical results of all votes taken. To establish a quorum and to conduct business, at least one-half of the Committee's membership must be present including the Radiation Safety Officer or designee and the management representative.
  • Recommend remedial action to correct any deficiencies identified in the radiation safety program.
  • Ensure that the institution's licenses are amended when required.