When an emergency (fire, explosion, chemical exposure, or other event that endangers life and/or property) is accompanied by the presence of radioactive material and radiation, it is important to deal first with those hazards that have the greatest potential impact. Fire, injuries and all life-threatening situations take precedence over radiation issues.
In an academic setting, the quantities and types of radiation used are generally at levels low enough that fire and medical response personnel can deal with severe threats to life, health, and/or property without concern for the radioactive materials and radiation present.
Nonetheless, responders should use their usual personal protective equipment (PPE), be monitored for radioactive material contamination, and be decontaminated (as necessary) after addressing the problem at hand and before leaving the scene.
Any of the following situations must immediately reported to LS/LSS:
- When your skin contaminated by the radioisotopes or radioactive emission
- When you ingest radioactive material
- Unexpected radiation exposure to personnel
- Severe contamination of equipment or areas
- Spread of contamination, or difficulty cleaning up a contaminated area
- When radioactive materials or radiation-producing machines (RPMs) get lost or stolen.
When in doubt, call 7444, LS/LSS.
Radioactive material spill or unexpected release must be promptly controlled and immediately reported to LS/LSS.
Laboratory User Contamination
Immediately call 7444 or have someone call LS/LSS when radioactive contamination or suspicion of contamination occurs.
In the case of a radiation accident; action plan given in order below:
- Treat medical issues first and apply first aid as appropriate. Appeal for aid if anybody is around. Usually decontamination can be delayed until the victim is in stable condition.
- Immediately take off contaminated apparel and flush skin with water.
For skin contamination, follow decontamination procedures given below:
- Contaminated surface must be washed using a mild soap and water. Do not use hot water or excoriate or irritate the skin. Do not use brushes that could wear/irritate the skin.
- If the contamination spreads widely, a shower with mild soap and warm water will remove most of the contamination. After the shower, inspect the person to control the decontamination procedure and to localize any contamination remnant.
- LS/LSS may recommend additional or specialized decontamination treatment if further decontamination is necessary.
- Contaminated clothing and materials must be delivered to LS/LSS. Further details about decontamination or disposal will be given by LS/LSS.
Procedures for Major Spills
Everyone who are not involved in accident should leave the area immediately but assemble nearby. Call 7444 or have someone call LS/LSS ask for radiation safety assistance.
- Evaluate everyone who could possibly have been contaminated.
- Once potentially contaminated personnel have been examined and check the contamination level, record their names and release them. When feasible, contamination level must be confined to minimum.
- Prevent unintended entry or re-entry into the contaminated area. Post all entrances to the room or area with sign(s) warning others that a spill of radioactive material has occurred. Post similar signs in the general vicinity, indicating the location of the spill.
- Wait for LSS direction before taking further action. Follow the instructions of the LS/LSS regarding decontamination techniques, surveys, provision of bioassay samples, requested documentation, etc.
- Do not allow work to resume in the area until approved by the LS/LSS.
- Place contaminated clothing and materials in bags labelled with contents, radioisotope, and date.
- When a spill accident occurs, people in the building/facility must be notified.
- Only trained and equipped personnel should be allowed to enter the area.
- PPE must be worn in case of necessity.
- Call immediately 7444 or have someone call LS/LSS.
- Contamination must be covered with absorbent paper if it is liquid. In case of solid contamination, paper should be dampened. Spill could be cleaned up by the absorbent paper. This technique is an effective prevention from spread.
- Inspections should be performed with appropriate equipment periodically after spill decontamination process. This procedure will also determine efficiency of decontamination process.
- Absorbent papers, gloves and any other utilized material during and after the decontamination process must be folded, sealed and labelled in appropriate bag.
- Decontaminated area and its around must be checked with appropriate technique in case of residue and fixed contamination.
- People who are involved in the decontamination process should also be inspected by checking their outfit and hands. Zero contamination-resulted people will be recorded and released.
- If personal contamination is detected, “Laboratory User Contamination” procedure must be applied.
- Machine must be turned off. If possible, cut off the circuit.
- Call 7444 or have someone call LS/LSS immediately.
- Medical issues should be treated and first aid should be managed immediately. Treatment of injuries takes priority over radiation exposure and radiation suspicion.
- LS/LSS and other responsibles in the area must be informed immediately.
- All related material about the incident, including operating voltage and current, exposure time, and distance from the radiation source should be informed. All these material and data must be given to LS/LSS.
Procedures for Minor Spills
Procedures for Radiation Producing Machine (RPM) Accidents
NOTE: Biological effects of the radiation exposure coming from the X-ray machines are not immediately observed. LS/LSS must be informed and exposed personnel should be consulted by medical team and specialized representatives to assess dose and confirm essential treatment.
References and sources for information from the relevant websites and documentation of different universities, NGOs and government agencies used in the preparation of this website are provided at references.