Procedure 7: Warning Signs and Labels

Transcription

1 Procedure 7: Warning Signs and Labels General Considerations 1. A copy of the poster Radioisotope Safety Basic Laboratories or Radioisotope Safety Intermediate Laboratories, as appropriate, shall be posted in each authorized laboratory with the name and 24 hour phone number of the Permit Holder in event of emergency. (Refer further to Precedure 13 for posters). The Radiation User Permit and the University Licence shall be posted in each laboratory. 2. Cupboards, cabinets, refrigerators and other containers used to store nuclear substances and radiation devices (NSRD) shall be indentified with a radiation warning sign and secured against unauthorized access. 3. Primary storage containers for nuclear substances shall be indentified with a radiation warning symbol and the form, radionuclide, quantity and level of radioactivity. Radiation label tape is required on containers such as beakers, flasks and test tubes. 4. The outer storage containers of sealed radiation sources shall be conspicuously and permanently labelled with a radiation warning label with the name and telephone number of the Permit Holder, radionuclide, nominal activity and date of manufacture. Labels are available from the RSO. 5. Radiation devices shall be conspicuously and permanently marked with a radiation warning label stating the name and 24 hour telephone number of the Permit Holder, radionuclide, nominal level of radioactivity, supplier, model, serial number, and date of manufacture. These labels are also available from the RSO. 6. Laboratories in which radio-iodinations are performed shall display a copy of the General Laboratory Rules for Radio-iodination and display a warning sign on the door when radioiodinations are in process. Copies of the rules and warning sign may also be obtained from the RSO. Radiation Warning Signs Warning Signs and Labels P7-1 A radiation warning sign which displays the international trefoil symbol for radiation and states: RAYONNEMENT-DANGER-RADIATION shall be posted at every point of access to a room, laboratory, or area where there is greater than 100 times the Exemption Quantity (E.Q.) of a nuclear substance or where the radiation dose may exceed 2.5 microsieverts per hour (>2.5µSv/h).

2 P7-2 Warning Signs and Labels 1. Laboratories and Storage Rooms: RAYONNEMENT DANGER RADIATION 2. Storage Cupboards, Refrigerators and Freezers: RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

3 Warning Signs and Labels P Primary Storage Containers: i) Unsealed sources: ii) Sealed sources: 4. Nuclear Waste Containers:

4 P7-4 Warning Signs and Labels 5. Radioactive Spills: When an accidental spill involving a nuclear substance has occurred in excess of one Exemption Quantity (E.Q.), this sign shall be placed on the spill until clean-up has been initiated. This sign indicates a potential hazard within the immediate area only. No hazard exists to persons in adjacent rooms. 6. X-ray Rooms: OR These signs indicate that hazardous X-ray radiation is emitted when the equipment is energized. The sign must be clearly legible and visible at a distance of 2 metres to personnel approaching the room door.

5 Warning Signs and Labels P Shipping Containers: Any package shipped as Excepted package - Limited Activity must be labelled with the word radioactive. All other packages must be categorized by radiation level and display radiation warning levels containing the radiation category which describes the level of radiation at the surface of the package; and the transport index which describes the radiation field around the package. Category I (White): The radiation level does not exceed 5 µsv/h at any location on the external surface of the package. Category II (Yellow): The radiation level does not exceed 500 µsv/h at any location on the external surface of the package and the transport index does not exceed 1.0. Category III (Yellow): The radiation level does not exceed 2 msv/h at any location on the external surface of the package and the transport index does not exceed 10.

6 P7-6 Warning Signs and Labels The Transport Index for a package is the maximum exposure rate in microsieverts per hour (µsv/h) at 1 m from the external surface of the package, divided by Workplace Labels (WHMIS) a) Introduction For example: TI =1 µsv / h 10 = 0.1 In addition to the radiation warning symbol, containers of NSRD shall also display a WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) label when the non-radioactive carrier substance is classified as a hazardous material. WHMIS (pronounced whim-iss) is a nationwide communication system which provides information to workers and employers on hazardous materials used in the workplace. WHMIS applies to all workplaces within Canada. It requires that all personnel who work with or near a hazardous substance, as defined in the Controlled Products Regulations, are informed about potential hazards and recommended safe work practices. WHMIS requires that all hazardous materials are labelled, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are provided, inventories are maintained and training is provided. Radiation Users who are required to work with a controlled product but are uncertain of its hazards or characteristics should request the MSDS from their supervisor, the departmental stores personnel, or search the Internet. Chemical suppliers are required to provide MSDS for all hazardous chemical products. b) WHMIS Classes and Hazard Symbols Hazard Symbol Class Description CLASS A Compressed Gas CLASS B Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 Division 5 Division 6 Flammable and Combustible Material Flammable Gases Flammable Liquids Combustible Liquids Flammable Solids Flammable Aerosols Reactive Flammable Materials CLASS C Oxidizing Material

7 Warning Signs and Labels P7-7 CLASS D Division 1 Poisonous and Infectious Material Materials causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Division 2 Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects Division 3 Biohazardous Infectious Material CLASS E Corrosive Material CLASS F Dangerously Reactive Material c) WHMIS Labels Any hazardous material, or controlled product, whether in transit, storage or use must be labelled. labels. Two types of labels exist under WHMIS regulations: supplier labels and workplace The supplier label must include: - product identifier - supplier identifier - reference to the material safety data sheet - hazard symbols

8 P7-8 Warning Signs and Labels - risk phrases - precautionary statements - first aid measures - hatch mark border The workplace label must include: - product identifier - information on the safe handling of the product - reference to the MSDS - hatch mark border Workplace labels are available from the Safety Office and are required for products: - that are produced and used in the workplace; - received from a supplier and transferred to another container; and - if the supplier label becomes illegible or is accidentally removed. d) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide chemical, physical, and toxicological properties of substances as well as information on precautionary and emergency procedures. The supplier of a controlled product is required to supply the MSDS to the customer. Material Safety Data Sheets for controlled products must be updated and replaced every three years or when new information becomes available. University departments are responsible to ensure that MSDS are readily accessible at all times. MSDS may be stored as copies or in electronic format so long as they are available when needed. e) Chemical Inventory The Permit Holder or an individual designated by the University department (for e.g., storeskeeper) shall maintain a current inventory of all hazardous materials used or stored within laboratories and storage facilities. f) WHMIS-equivalent Training Permit Holders shall ensure Radiation Users under their supervision receive WHMIS training consistent with the risks associated with their proximity to and/or handling of the radiological hazard. Even users subjected to only very low risk should receive at minimum a basic level of training.

9 Support training materials are available on loan from the Safety Office. Training programs should include instruction in: i) the types, quantities and forms of NSRD that may be encountered by the worker; ii) the significance of labelling and signage for NSRD that may be encountered by the worker; iii) the contents of the radionuclide safety data sheets relevant to the workplace and the significance of the information contained therein; iv) procedure for those licensed activites that are relevant to the users duties or understanding the safety implications of the NSRD; v) procedures to be followed when unplanned releases of NSRD are present or suspected; and vi) procedures to be followed in case of emergency involving NSRDs. Warning Signs and Labels P7-9