Procedures for Safely Opening Packages Containing Radioactive Material

APPENDIX A

1. Packages will be monitored for surface contamination and external radiation levels within 3 hours after receipt if received during working hours or within 18 hours if received after working hours. All shipments of liquids greater than exempt quantities will be tested for leakage. Action limits for package monitoring will be as follows:

Radioactive Material Packages Label Criteria 

Dose Rate Limits

2. For all packages, the following procedures for opening packages will be carried out:

a. Put on gloves to prevent hand contamination

b. Visually inspect package for any sign of damage (e.g. wetness, crushed).  If damage is noted, stop procedure and notify RSO.

Open the package with the following precautionary steps:
1) Open the outer package (following manufacturer’s directions, if supplied) and remove packing slip.

2) Open inner package and verify that contents agree with those on packing slip.  Compare requisition, packing slip and label on bottle.

3) Check integrity of final source container (i.e. inspect for breakage of seals or vials, loss of liquid and discoloration of packaging material).

4) Check also that shipment does not exceed possession limits.

d. Monitor the packing material and packages for contamination before discarding. 

1) If contaminated, treat as radioactive waste.

2) If not contaminated, obliterate radiation labels before discarding in regular trash.

3. Maintain records of the results of checking each package, using "Radioactive Shipment Receipt/Usage Report".

RADIOACTIVE SHIPMENT RECEIPT/USAGE REPORT

 1.         ISOTOPE__________  ACTIVITY__________(mCi, μCi)  Volume________(L, mL)

 2.         P.O. No.______________________ Survey Date_________________ Time_________

             Surveyor___________________________ Signature____________________________

 3.         CONDITION OF PACKAGE

Comment_______________________________________________________________

 4.         RADIATION UNITS OF LABEL ______________________________Units (mR/hr)

Label:             White I______            Yellow II______            Yellow III______

 5.         MEASURED RADIATION LEVELS

            a.         Package Surface  _____________mR/hr

            b.         Three feet from surface ____________mR/hr

 6.         DO PACKING SLIP AND CONTENTS AGREE?

            a.         Radionuclide              _____yes _____no,            Difference_____________________

            b.         Amount                        _____yes _____no,            Difference_____________________

            c.         Chemical Form           _____yes _____no,             Difference_____________________

7.         IF NRC/CARRIER NOTIFICATION REQUIRED, GIVE TIME, DATE AND PERSONS NOTIFIED.

MATERIAL USAGE