Radiation Safety

Subject to modification by the Biosecurity Subcommittee of the CVM Occupational Health and Safety Committee without approval.

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to maintain occupational radiation exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable or ALARA. Radiation exposure can pose a health risk to workers if not properly controlled. For the purpose of monitoring this exposure, each person involved in the use of radiation is issued a dosimetry badge. This badge is then submitted and monitored regularly by an outside vendor and a Radiation Safety Officer on campus. The values are then compared to set regulatory limits. 

All training must be completed prior to working with or around radiation.

Guidelines

This policy applies to all faculty, staff (employed and volunteers), and students while they are in the presence of an imaging device that emits radiation while working at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Procedure (if applicable)

• It is the responsibility of all individuals that remain in the room during the exposure to wear the appropriate radiation protection.
• All individuals holding the patient must wear a lead apron, thyroid shield, and lead gloves. 
• All individuals that remain in the room during the exposure must wear a lead apron and thyroid shield. 
• All attempts should be made to distance yourself from the radiation beam whenever possible. 
• All individuals that remain in the room for the exposure must wear a radiation dosimetry badge

Definitions (if applicable)

Radiation Protection- Lead aprons, lead gloves, lead thyroid shield, and mobile lead shielding

Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH): The collective clinical services of the Large Animal Clinic, Midwest Equine, the Small Animal Clinic, and the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic.