Protocol for the Decommissioning of Laboratories used for Unsealed Radioactive Work

This protocol is intended for laboratories in which radioactive work will definitely cease.

1.Procedure

  • All radioactive material and waste must be removed from the department via an appropriate route.
  • The usage and disposal records must be completed on Isostock to show that all radioactive material and waste has been removed, when and by what disposal route e.g. to drain/transfer to White Rose.
  • All containers used for the keeping of radioactive material or waste must be removed from the department or checked to ensure that they are clean and free from any contamination. All markings relating to their radioactive contents must be removed or made illegible.
  • Comprehensive contamination monitoring must be carried out using a suitable monitor and the results recorded. This must take place for all isotopes used in the area – check Isostock for compounds used in the past. Indirect monitoring – sample with a wipe and measure the activity on the wipe (contact Andy Reed Biomedical Science)
  • All loose surface contamination must be removed using conventional laboratory decontamination methods until no significant reading can be detected; this shows that no readily removable contamination is left. Where direct monitoring is not appropriate, e.g. tritium, all monitoring should be carried out by wipe tests.
  • Consideration needs to be given to contamination inside drain pipe work at the points of disposal. Sinks which could have been used for disposal of radioactivity should have the sink trap dismantled and checked by monitoring and if necessary, wipes. If this shows contamination fixed onto the pipes, there might be a need to look for contamination further downstream. If this is the case, contact Radiation Protection.
  • It will be necessary to check for contamination in the extract of any fume hoods used. This should be down by checking as close as possible to the point where the ductwork leaves the top of the fume cupboard. If there is a filter present, the surface behind (downstream of) the filter should be checked. If there is contamination present, contact Radiation Protection.
  • If after the decontamination process there remains any fixed contamination, contact Radiation Protection.
  • After the removal of radioactive materials and isotopes any required decontamination all radiation warning signs should be removed from doors, cupboards, fridges and sinks etc. Radiation warning signs should be made unrecognisable before disposing with normal refuse.
  • Radiation Protection should then be contacted after which a final survey will take place to ensure that the lab can be confirmed as decommissioned.
  • If work in the laboratory/area is ceasing and the whole premises is to be vacated, then it will be necessary to inform the enforcement authorities. This will be done by Radiation Protection.

2.Records

The following records to the area must be kept for a period of five years after the date of cessation of radioactive work in the laboratory/area:

  • usage and disposal records
  • summary disposal records
  • routine monitoring records
  • determination/s of the relative fractions of activity disposed by each route
  • decommissioning monitoring records
  • final decommissioning report (issued by Radiation Protection)

University of Bradford

Health and Safety Services

Decommissioning of laboratories used for unsealed radioactive work

Identification of Laboratory……………………………………………………………
Date of Decommissioning……………………………………………………………..
Name of Radiation Protection Supervisor completing checklist………………………
Signature………………………………..Department………………..Date…………...
All radioactive material and waste removed?
Usage and disposal records completed to show that all radioactive material
and waste has been removed, when and by what route?
All containers removed or markings removed/made illegible?
Contamination monitoring carried out and results recorded?
All loose surface contamination removed?
-if any remains contact Radiation Protection
Extract from fume cupboards and drain pipes checked?
-if any remains contact Radiation Protection
All radiation notices removed from doors, cupboards, fridges, sinks etc?
Radiation Protection contacted for final survey?
All records up-to-date?
-usages and disposal records
-summary disposal records
-routine monitoring records
-determinations of relative fractions of activity disposed
to each route
-decommissioning monitoring records
-this check list
-final decommissioning report (Radiation Protection) 