2. Radiological Emergency Procedures

3. FOR ALL ISOTOPES 1.Prevent others from entering the affected area or coming into contact with the potentially radioactive material. 2.Licensed Investigator shall be notified. 3.Document all results (meter survey/wipe tests). Minor Event Response Examples: contamination suspected within the controlled area, puddle of liquid underneath a radioactive materials designated refrigerator, radioactive waste in a regular waste can, etc.. If H3 is suspected or known to be involved: 1.immediately perform a wipe test of the affected area AND 1.ensure shoes/self are CLEAN prior to stepping out of the affected area (either by assistance with wipe test by another individual in the lab or by stepping out of the affected area into a known clean area and leaving shoes). FOR TRITIUM (H3) ONLY

4. ISOTOPES OTHER THAN TRITIUM (H3) 1.Immediately perform a meter survey of the affected area and shoes or other potentially contaminated personal items/self (if isotope other than H3). If there is contamination > Background: decontaminate and re-survey until the readings are equal to background. 2.Verify removable contamination < 100dpm/100cm 2 utilizing a wipe test survey of the affected areas. 3.If the area is not readily cleanable: cover, label, and secure the area and contact Radiation Safety during normal working hours M-F 8:00- 4:30. Provide us with: Name, Location, Contamination Levels, and Description of Situation. Minor Event Response cont.

5. For all emergencies keep calm, use common sense, protect people,do not spread contamination, always assume the presence of contamination until a survey shows otherwise and follow these guidelines: Emergencies include: –Suspected volatile/airborne release of radioactive material –Skin Contamination –Contamination on Personal Clothing (other than lab coat/gloves) –Injury –Contamination within controlled > or equal to 10,000dpm/100cm 2 –Contamination outside controlled area(s) > or equal to 100dpm/100cm 2 Call the Radiation Safety (860-486-3613) or Campus Police (911) and await instructions. – Provide the following information Location of the accident Number of persons involved or injured Radioactive material involved Type of radiation exposure (injection, ingestion, etc.) Your name and telephone number. Emergencies Involving Radioactive Materials

6. Researcher’s Responsibility for Accidents Involving Radioactive Materials: Hold your breath, leave the area, and close access doors, if airborne contamination is suspected. Localize the spill. Right a tipped container, place absorbent material on the spill, damp down a dry spill. Always wear gloves and a lab coat when working with a spill. Remove contaminated clothing and gently wash contaminated parts of the body with mild detergent.  Non-contaminated lab coats or fire blankets may be used as emergency clothing if necessary. Do not track contamination about lab. Call, do not go, for help if possible. Prevent others from entering the immediate contamination area. Keep all personnel involved together in the vicinity of the accident scene. Close doors and where possible adjust ventilation to prevent the spread of airborne contamination. Place a sign at the entrance and exits warning about the contamination. Check your shoes before leaving the area of a cleaned up spill.

7. Researcher’s Responsibility for Accidents Involving Radioactive Materials and Injury:  Accidents involving both personnel injury and radioactive contamination:  If injury is serious, seek medical attention immediately.  Contact Radiation Safety Personnel immediately or at first available opportunity.  For minor injury, the injured person should flush the wound thoroughly with cool water before bandaging.  If the situation arises, inform emergency response personnel of radioactive contamination. Provide the emergency responders with information regarding the radioactive contamination (isotope, activity, extent of contamination) The radioactive contamination should be considered secondary to the personnel injury.