Operating Policy and Procedure
HSC OP: 73.11, Research Involving Radioactive Material
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Health Sciences Center Operating Policy and Procedure (HSC OP) is to provide a framework for compliance with federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws regarding the possession, use and disposition of radioactive material used in non-human research.
REVIEW: This HSC OP will be reviewed on June 1 of every odd-numbered year (ONY) by the Director of Safety Services, with recommendations for revisions forwarded to the Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation by June 30.
POLICY/PROCEDURE:
1. Compliance with federal and state laws.
All research involving the utilization of radioactive material conducted at TTUHSC shall be in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws, including, but not limited to 25 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §289, “Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation,” the conditions of the Radioactive Material License, and the TTUHSC Radiation Safety Manual.
2. Policy.
a. Establishment of the RSC. TTUHSC shall establish a Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), as required by 25 TAC §289, as a condition of the Radioactive Material License, and as required by the Radiation Safety Manual. RSC members shall be appointed annually, with input from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), by the Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation (SVPRI), on behalf of the President. The Chair of the RSC shall be appointed annually, with input from the RSO, by the SVPRI, and shall be approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services – Radiation Control Program (TDSHS-RCP).
The RSC membership shall be as designated by the “Bylaws of the TTUHSC Radiation Safety Committee” (Attachment A), as approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), Radiation Control Program (RCP). Any changes in the Committee Chair shall be approved by TDSHS-RCP.
b. Appointment of RSO. The Director of Safety Services, with approval of the RSC and TDSHS-RCP, shall appoint a Radiation Safety Officer for the institution.
c. Responsibilities of the RSC and RSO. The RSC and the RSO shall be responsible for assuring institutional compliance with applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws; the requirements of 25 TAC §289; the terms and conditions of the Radioactive Material License; and the Radiation Safety Manual. In addition, the RSC and RSO shall audit and review all TTUHSC research projects, facilities, and activities utilizing radioactive material.
d. Authority of the RSC and RSO. The RSC is authorized by the TDSHS-RCP as the institutional authority having jurisdiction in matters related to the utilization of radioactive material. The RSO is authorized by the RSC to audit and inspect research facilities and activities; obtain information relating to acceptable practice and procedure in the utilization of radioactive material; to take such action as necessary, including, but not limited to, cessation of research, in the event of a violation of policy or procedure which may create an imminently dangerous radiation hazard; and to assure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws regarding the utilization of radioactive material.
e. Responsibilities of the Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation. The SVPRI shall be responsible for the implementation of this policy through the establishment of appropriate policies and procedures, and is delegated, by the President of the TTUHSC, the authority to establish and oversee such policies and procedures.
Attachment A - Bylaws of the TTUHSC Radiation Safety Committee