Capital District Health Authority Radiation Safety Office

Transcription

1 Capital District Health Authority Radiation Safety Office Radiation Safety for Security Services HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES Presentation Code

2 Introduction The following presentation... Provides department specific radiation safety information Acts as a refresher for staff working in areas where ionizing radiation is used Serves as a radiation safety orientation for new employees 2

3 Instructions LMS USER Review the slide presentation... Complete the LMS online quiz... INTRANET USER Review the slide presentation... Print off the quiz... (you can obtain the quiz from your manager or from the radiation safety program intranet site) 3 Complete the quiz, including your signature and department... and... Send the quiz to the Radiation Safety Office (QEII Bethune Building Room 244)

4 Key Objectives Understand your role in the workplace. Learn and use proper radiation protection practices. Respond to radiation safety security issues in the workplace. Know who to call when you have questions or concerns 4

5 Employee Qualifications All employees should possess the knowledge, skills, and qualifications to effectively perform radiation protection practices associated with their work. Knowledge and skills should be identified and appropriate training be provided to all persons working in areas where ionizing radiation is present. 5

6 Accountability Staff are to ensure their own safety and the safety of others. Staff should ask for training if they are unsure of a work practice. Staff should: support each other mention to others when radiation safety measures are not being followed accept reminders when other staff question your radiation safety practice 6 DALHOUSIE

7 Training Each of the many groups at Capital Health require radiation safety training specific to their job. Training material is available on the radiation safety section of the intranet. When in doubt...ask! It is you, as the employee, who knows if you have the training to do the job you are being asked to do. 7

8 Safety Issues Any issues or questions relating to radiation safety should be first addressed through your department manager. The Capital Health Radiation Safety Officer can also be contacted for information and you should not hesitate to call if you have a question. Remember, we have a great occupational health and safety record for radiation safety because people are aware, offer suggestions to improve practices, use equipment properly and follow the procedures. 8

9 What is Radiation There are many kinds of radiation such as sound, heat, light and x-rays. The radiation used in x-ray, nuclear medicine and some laboratories is called ionizing radiation. This radiation can be harmful and for this reason we follow safety procedures. MICROSOFT MICROSOFT MICROSOFT 9

10 What is Radiation Ionizing Radiation: Life on earth has developed with natural radiation called background radiation. Background Radiation is present in our food, the ground and sky and even in our own bodies. Background radiation makes up most of the radiation dose we receive each year. 10

11 What is Radiation We can t feel, see, taste, hear, or smell ionizing radiation so we follow safety procedures when we are around known sources in the hospital. Radiation safety personnel make sure the procedures keep the levels close to background levels. Warning on Doors Contact Information Warning Sign on Equipment 11 CDHA Extra Precautions CDHA

12 Radiation Use at Capital Health People working with radiation or present in the area of radiation use Radiologists Ward Aides/ Secretaries Therapists Porters Nurses Receiving Stores Housekeeping Patients Oncologists Students General Public Physicists Repair-Service Technologists Safety Officers Security 12

13 Radiation Use at Capital Health BUILDINGS and DEPARTMENTS 13 MacKenzie Microbiology Mammography Cobequid Hematology Dickson Rehab Centre Infirmary Vascular-Interventional X-ray Nuclear Medicine PET, Cyclotron General X-ray Nova Scotia Cancer Centre Dartmouth General Bone Density Clinical Chemistry Victoria Operating Rooms Twin Oaks Dentistry Bethune Research Laboratories Mammography Clinic Eastern Shore Emergency Medicine Cardiology Cyclotron Wing MVMH Centennial Hants Community

14 General Working Requirements RADIATION WARNING SIGNS Signs are placed to alert individuals to the fact that there is a potential for radiation exposure. Signs may be posted on room doors, laboratory doors, storage areas, storage containers or equipment. The radiation-warning symbol is either... magenta on a yellow background or... black on a yellow background 14 These are the only colour variations that should be used at Capital Health.

15 General Working Requirements RADIATION WARNING SIGNS Radiation warning signs usually have specific instructions describing the precautions required and bear the words Caution-Radioactive Material or Caution-Radiation Area A radiation warning sign does not mean you will get a radiation exposure. Some radioactive material may be stored in a room where the exposure is at background levels but a warning sign is still on the door to the room. The warning sign is to alert you to be aware of your surroundings and use the radiation protection concepts. 15 Where you will NOT find warning signs garbage being disposed peoples personal items (books, bags, coffee mugs, wall decorations) any areas where ionizing radiation is not present

16 Radiation Doses KEEPING RADIATION DOSES LOW The basic radiation protection concepts of Time, Distance, and Shielding apply to all work practices when the potential for radiation exposure is present. These concepts also ensure that work practices are designed to keep radiation exposures As Low As Reasonably Achievable. 16

17 Radiation Protection Concepts TIME KEEPING RADIATION DOSES LOW If you decrease the time you spend near the source of radiation, you will decrease the amount of radiation exposure you receive. For routine housekeeping you will not have to worry because all sources are properly stored and do not pose any risk for day to day work. If you can t decrease your time then increase your distance or use shielding. 17

18 Radiation Protection Concepts DISTANCE KEEPING RADIATION DOSES LOW The further you are from the source of radiation the less exposure you will receive. Once again, you will not have to worry about radiation exposure in your day to day housekeeping job. You will not exceed any exposure limits during a routine rotation. If you can t use distance to your advantage then use shielding. 18

19 Radiation Protection Concepts SHIELDING KEEPING RADIATION DOSES LOW Shielding around radiation sources decreases personal radiation exposure. The amount of shielding required depends on the type of radiation. All sources of radioactivity at Capital Health are stored using appropriate shielding. If shielding is impractical then use time and distance. 19

20 Training Groups requiring radiation safety training. The general public training can revolve around diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as open houses or information provided during medical radiation technology week. RECEIVING SENIOR MANAGEMENT REPAIR AND SERVICE TECHNICIANS SECURITY NURSING STUDENTS PHYSICISTS CONTRACTORS RADIATION ONCOLOGIST PORTERS PHYSICIANS-RESIDENTS X-RAY TECHNOLOGISTS 20 RADIATION THERAPISTS NUCLEAR MED. TECHNOLOGISTS RESEARCHERS HOUSEKEEPING GENERAL PUBLIC RADIOPHARMACY RADIATION SAFETY PERSONNEL LAB TECHNOLOGISTS

21 Colour Coded Security System The colour coded access system was implemented as a result of a security audit of the Capital Health Radiation Safety Program. There are three designations for rooms containing nuclear substances or radiation devices. Secured Access (Red) is the most restrictive followed by Restricted Access (Yellow) and then Normal Access (Green) 21 Radiation warning signs are still posted on all rooms. Rooms may still have other instructions for staff.

22 Colour Coded Security System Normal Access - This defines rooms that pose no security or safety risk to general staff and can be left open at all times. Some departments may choose to lock these rooms after hours, for equipment safety or during equipment testing. If access is to be denied after hours, it is the department responsibility to lock the door and post addition signs on the door indicating that access is restricted. Security will follow normal security procedures. Housekeeping: will include these rooms in routine housekeeping duties unless otherwise determined by the department. Engineering Services will follow normal repair and service procedures. 22

23 Colour Coded Security System Restricted Access - This defines rooms that are to be locked after the normal operating hours of the departments. These rooms generally have staff present throughout the working day but contain radioactive material or devices that could pose a safety hazard to untrained staff. Security will generate incident report if room is unlocked after normal department operating hours and no one is present. Housekeeping: will not include these rooms in routine housekeeping duties. Housekeeping requirements are to be arranged as a special request with department personnel providing access to the room. 23 Engineering Services will conduct emergency repairs by having security provide access and radiation safety personnel contacted. Routine repairs are to be arranged by special request with the department.

24 Colour Coded Security System Secured Access - This defines rooms that are to be locked 24 hours a day. These rooms are in more remote locations. Some rooms have higher level radioactive sources but others may have low level, low risk material. Some rooms may have motion sensors and an alarmed entry linked to the security monitoring system. Security will generate incident report if room is unlocked at any time and no one is present. Housekeeping: will not include these rooms in routine housekeeping duties. Housekeeping requirements are to be arranged as a special request with department personnel providing access to the room. 24 Engineering Services will conduct emergency repairs by having security provide access and radiation safety personnel contacted. Routine repairs are to be arranged by special request with the department.

25 X-ray rooms X-ray Rooms Do not require any special security measures from a radiation safety point of view other than securing the key so the device cannot be operated when no one is present. Radiation warning signs may be (green) normal access or caution radiation area - x-rays The trefoil is used for all rooms for consistency and to make it easier for identification by non-radiation personnel. 25

26 Receiving Radioactive Packages Accepting Deliveries Radioactive material should be delivered after hours to security at the Dickson Building or Infirmary Summer Street entrance. Security personnel do not open any radioactive packages. Inspect package for signs of damage or leaking If package is damaged or leaking, contact the Radiation Safety Officer. Ensure delivery address is correct (a QEII department). If it is not correct refuse to accept the package. Keep all packing slips with the package. 26

27 Receiving Radioactive Packages Delivering to Storage Areas Be efficient in the transport, don t linger or chat with other workers. If you have to stop then simply take a few steps back from the package while waiting. Always use a wheelchair or cart to transport packages. Do not carry the package by hand, even though it would be safe to do so. All after hour deliveries, no matter what department is on the address, should be place in: Nuclear Medicine: QEII Dickson Building, Room 3021 Nuclear Medicine: QEII Infirmary Building, Room Individual departments will be required to pick up their packages from these two areas.

28 Emergency and Special Procedures BASIC RESPONSE: The basic response to any emergencies involving radioactive material at Capital Health should be: Don t Touch Secure the Area Maintain Distance Send For Help Those trained to deal with the emergency will respond. Some sources that look small and non-threatening could cause serious harm if picked up by hand. When in doubt, follow the basic response. For all emergencies notify the department directly or contact Capital Health Radiation Safety Officer 28

29 Emergency and Special Procedures Emergency Spill Don t touch the spill and restrict access to the area by creating a perimeter or restricting room access. Two meters distance is all that is required until help arrives. Other Emergencies 29 For any other emergencies involving radioactive material you should use the Radiation Safety Emergencies Contact List of individuals that can offer advice and respond in emergency situation.

30 Emergency and Special Procedures Radioactive Contaminated Casualties The emergency department is prepared to receive contaminated casualties. Security role is to: Maintain security of contaminated control barriers set up during the emergency. Direct arriving ambulances to the designated drop off zone. This will be determined by on site personnel depending on the situation. Redirect other non-involved ambulances for direct admissions or transfers to alternate entrance. If requested by the Radiation Safety Officer, direct contaminated ambulances where to park and secure the area. 30

31 Emergency and Special Procedures Unusual Situations You should be familiar with the normal look of areas and report anything unusual to the Radiation Safety Officer. Packages with radiation warning signs in areas outside the normal areas you expect to find them. Packages or vials with radiation warning signs with the regular garbage. Changes in movement or use of radioactive material. Unattended packages, with a radiation warning sign, in hallways. Unlocked doors to secured areas at any time and to restricted areas after hours. 31

32 We all have responsibility for safety in the workplace and saying it is not my job doesn t cut it when it comes to radiation safety. CDHA 32 The end...now you can do the quiz