The security of radioactive materials has become an important regulatory issue due to media exposure of intentional contamination incidents. The MCG Radiation Safety Office has developed policies to ensure compliance with State (GDNR) and Federal (NRC) regulatory agencies.
Please note that this policy applies to radioactive material (solid, liquid, or gaseous forms) and not to radiation producing devices, such as x-ray machines.
Security of Radioactive Materials-Policy
“ A locked barrier shall exist at all times between radioactive material and access by unauthorized persons, unless an authorized user is present such that any unauthorized person approaching the material could be challenged”
“ In the absence of an authorized user, either the laboratory shall be locked or the radioactive material shall be locked in a fixed storage unit.”
Radioactive material users can comply with the policy by:
1) Keeping laboratory/facility doors locked if no personnel are physically present.
Or
2) Keeping radioactive materials secured in a locked storage container, such as a refrigerator with a lock and hasp.
If I observe an area that may be in violation of the radioactive material security policy, what should I do?
An example of this would be a blatant security problem, such as the Nuclear Medicine "hot lab" being unsecured. In this case, the best solution would be to go ahead and lock the facility.
Contact the Radiation Safety Office and they will address any radioactive material security concerns.
