Guidelines for work with emit radiation devices

Devices that emit ionizing radiation

A machine that emits ionizing radiation (X-rays) is based on the physical principle that electrons change their speed until they stop, converting the loss of kinetic energy into the emission of electromagnetic waves, that is, photons.

X-rays: These are photons of electromagnetic radiation emitted from materials that are "bombarded" with electrons accelerated through a high voltage drop (usually from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of volts). The production efficiency of     X-rays depends on the energy of the electrons and the type of material they hit. In the process of stopping the fast electrons, the kinetic energy they carry is converted, in part, into two types of X-radiation:

  1. Bremsstrahlung radiation
  2. Characteristic X- rays

Included in this category are XRD, XRF, X-ray tubes, CT, particle accelerators, neutron generators, and high voltage facilities above 5-kilo electron volts (keV)

Inspection: The state controls the supervision of the use of radiation devices. The Weizmann Institute of Science's procedures for using these devices are intended to ensure the safety of the user and those around him.

The license: machines emitting radiation and tubes require a license from the Israel state. The employee ordering a machine or tube must submit, prior to the purchase, a request for a license from the Radiation Safety Officer at the institute. Also, removal from the institute or transfer to another laboratory in the institute of any device that emits radiation requires prior notification to the Radiation Safety Officer.

Application for use: the employee intended to operate a radiation-emitting machine must submit to the Radiation Safety Officer a detailed request regarding the need for the device and its use.

For the use of accelerators, x-ray machines for radiography or diagnostics, or any other equipment with a special risk - special operating procedures are required beyond what is detailed in this chapter.

Authorized research group leaders are responsible for ensuring that only authorized users are allowed to operate the radiation devices. Qualified users are those employees whose name appears on the application form and who have undergone radiation safety training by the Radiation Safety Officer. 

Training - The head of the group or someone authorized on his behalf is responsible for providing safety and operation training to new employees who use radiation-emitting equipment. He must ensure that they know how to safely operate the equipment before there are approved to work independently. Radiation safety training will be coordinated with the Radiation Safety Officer.
 

Instructions for ordering the device that emits ionizing radiation

Any device that emits ionizing radiation requires an official license from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The license application procedure is carried out by the Radiation Safety Officer and includes several steps:

  1. Writing a risk assessment report for the device by a qualified person in coordination with the person in charge of radiation safety at the institute. In order to write the risk assessment report, the person that orders the device must provide the following details:
    1. The type of device and its characterization.
    2. Physical data of the device - type of source, type of radiation, voltage and current.
    3. The name of the manufacturer and the country of manufacture.
    4. The purpose of using the device.
    5. The intended location for placing the device.
    6. Serial number of the X-ray tube.
  2. Obtaining the license to order a device
  3. Steps needed to release an ionizing radiation device from customs: The customer must deliver the following documents to the Radiation Safety Officer:
    1. Bill of Lading
    2. Invoice
    3. Information sheets and prospectus of the device
      The data must be submitted as early as possible in order not to delay the release of the device from customs.
  4. Simulation for initial operation – approval and inspection of the device by a qualified inspector: At the end of the installation of the device and the safety measures in it, it is required to be inspected by a qualified inspector in order to obtain a permanent license.
  5. Permanent license - based on the approval of the qualified inspector, the Radiation Safety Officer will submit a request for a permanent license for the device by the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
     

Requirements for a laboratory with radiation-emitting equipment

Signage: Warning Signs- "Caution X-rays" or "Caution ionizing radiation" will be placed at the entrance to every laboratory where there is a device that emits ionizing radiation.

In some facilities, a warning lamp must be at the entrance to the laboratory where a radiation device is operating and the lamp will glow red when the device is activated.

Operating procedures: The radiation devices are operated using a computer. Operating procedures and safety procedures must be displayed next to the device. 
Control measures and prevention of employee exposure:

  • Use of monitoring devices or dosimetry tags if required

Monitoring: the accelerators have a monitoring system that operates and provides the monitoring results online within the accelerators and in the control rooms.

Shielding: Radiation devices must be masked or shielded. Make sure that the shielding is in good condition without cracks or gaps.

Operation log: In the operation log of monitored areas, the following details must be recorded:

  • The operator's name
  • Date
  • Device voltage
  • Device current
  • Exposure time
  • Radiation monitoring results

Dosimetry - The Radiation Safety Officer will provide radiation monitoring tags to monitor radiation exposures to workers and for environmental monitoring in accordance with the judgment of the Radiation Safety Officer and the qualified inspector.

The location of monitoring or dosimetry devices near radiation devices will be determined according to professional considerations in order to prevent environmental exposure. The laboratory workers will not move the monitoring devices from their place.

Radiation Safety Supervision - The Radiation Safety Officer at the institute performs inspections in laboratories that have radiation-emitting equipment on a regular basis as well as at the user's request.

Emergency procedure for devices emitting ionizing radiation

In the event of an emergency, including fire, earthquake, accident, flood, or malfunction, immediately disconnect the device from the power grid by pressing the emergency button on the device and notify immediately:

The institute's service center 08-934-2999

Radiation Safety Officer 08-934-5155, 050-9001995

Safety Procedure – Working with XRD Radiation Emitting Instruments

Understand the nature of the hazards and familiarize yourself with the XRD instrument procedures. Follow the procedures to avoid exposure to radiation.

  1. Entrance control: Entrance to the room where the instrument is located will be enabled only with an entry code.
  2. XRD instrument operation:
    1. system will be operated only by employees who received who received radiation safety training and guidance from the laboratory manager on x-ray emitting systems operation.
    2. The system will be operated only when contained in the shielded box, which must be closed.
    3. System operation will be conducted only according to manufacturer instructions.
    4. After running the high voltage, check with a radiation counter if there is radiation leakage behind the shielding and especially in the direction of the direct beam.
    5. At the end of the work, turn off the instrument and make sure that there is no voltage on the tube, remove the activation key and close the lab door with a key.
  3. Safety emphases:
    1. It is strictly prohibited to attempt to disable the instrument’s safety measures.
    2. The key must at all times be kept under the supervision of a qualified operator or closed in a safe place.
    3. Check if any of the shutters that are unused are closed. Check if the collimator is in place.
    4. When the red indicator light is on, X-ray radiation is emitted, and it is strictly forbidden to open the instrument’s doors, despite the existing threshold switches.
    5. Do not place any items into the instrument, except for the examined sample.
    6. In directing the beam using a fluorescent board, always use a long rod to hold the board, in order to prevent exposing you+ to direct radiation.
    7. During a long experiment, which necessitates leaving the instrument operating unattended, close the room and make sure that the red lamp at the entrance to the laboratory is on, to ensure that unqualified personnel will not be able to enter the room (including cleaning employees).
    8. Do not fix any system malfunction. The system may only be serviced by qualified technicians on behalf of the manufacturer.
    9. Do not perform any repair, cleaning, or other unusual work on the instrument when high voltage is turned on.
    10. Do not block or cover the instrument’s air vents, monitors, or accessories.
    11. Avoid penetration of liquids into the instrument or its various components. In case of fluid penetration, the instrument should be switched off by pressing the emergency switch and calling a qualified technician.
    12. After any handling or change made on the instrument (tube replacement, change in the device, etc.), or after it has been unused for an extended period of time, the instrument will be operated only in the presence of a qualified radiation examiner.
    13. Do not drink or eat near the instrument.
  4. In the event of a malfunction, failure of operation, or when there is a suspected radiation leakage from the system, or the occurrence of a burning smell or strange noise, immediately stop voltage to the system by pressing the emergency switch or the main power switch. The Radiation Safety Officer must be immediately notified.

Safety Procedure – Working with Portable XRF Radiation Emitting Instrument – Thermo Scientific/Niton XL3t 955

Understand the nature of the hazards and familiarize yourself with the XRF instrument procedures. Follow the procedures to avoid exposure to radiation.

  1. XRF instrument operation:
    1. The instrument will be operated only by employees who received radiation safety training and guidance from the laboratory manager on Portable XRF system operation.
    2. The instrument will be operated only in the fixed device when it is closed.
    3. Working with the instrument may be conducted only when the samples and the device are inside a protective box.
    4. Instrument operation will be conducted only according to manufacturer instructions.
    5. When the indicator lights are on, X-ray radiation is emitted.
    6. The XRF instrument must be kept at a distance of at least 50 cm from the portable computer.
  2. Safety emphases:
    1. Never point the instrument at yourself or anyone else when the instrument is turned on. 
    2. Never hold samples in your hands during analysis. 
    3. Never place your hand over the instrument’s measurement window.
    4. Hold the instrument as far away as possible from your body.
    5. The instrument will be kept in a locked and labeled cabinet. Access to the instrument is permitted to certified operators only!
    6. Unless necessary, it is recommended not to stand by the system while it is in operation.
    7. Do not disable or bypass existing safety devices on the instrument!!!
    8. After any handling or change made on the instrument (tube replacement, change in the device, etc.), or after it has been unused for an extended period of time, the instrument will be operated only in the presence of a qualified radiation examiner.
    9. The approval of the Radiation Safety Officer must be obtained in advance of any unusual operation on the instrument.
    10. Do not fix any instrument malfunction. The instrument may only be serviced by qualified technicians on behalf of the manufacturer.
  3. In the event of a malfunction, failure of operation, or when there is a suspected radiation leakage from the system, immediately stop voltage to the system by pressing the emergency switch or the main power switch. The Radiation Safety Officer must be immediately notified.

Safety Procedure –Working with X-Ray Radiation Emitting CT Systems

Understand the nature of the hazards and familiarize yourself with the MicroXCT system procedures. Follow the procedures to avoid exposure to radiation.

  1. Entrance control: Entrance to the room where the system is located will be enabled only with an entry code.
  2. MicroXCT operation:
    1. The system will be operated only by employees who received radiation safety training and guidance from the laboratory manager on MicroXCT system operation.
    2. The system will be operated only when contained in the shielded box, which must be closed.
    3. The system contains indicator lights, signaling its operation mode and door opening. The lights’ proper functioning is a required condition for operating the system.
    4.  System operation will be conducted only according to manufacturer instructions.
    5. When the red indicator light is on, X-ray radiation is emitted, and it is strictly forbidden to open the system doors, despite the existing threshold switches.
    6. During a long experiment, which necessitates leaving the system operating unattended, close the room and make sure that the red lamp at the entrance to the laboratory is on, to ensure that unqualified personnel will not be able to enter the room (including cleaning personnel).
  3. Safety emphases:
    1. Unless necessary, it is recommended not to stand by the system while it is in operation.
    2. Do not disable or bypass existing safety devices on the system!!!
    3. After any handling or changes made on the system (tube replacement, change in the facility, etc.), or after it has been off for an extended period of time, the system will return to its operation only after it was checked by a qualified radiation examiner (which will be coordinated with the Radiation Safety Officer).
    4. The approval of the Radiation Safety Officer must be obtained in advance of any unusual operation on the system. Standard approval applies only to the routine operation of the system. Any other operation requires written special approval.
    5. Do not fix any malfunction. The system may only be serviced by qualified technicians on behalf of the manufacturer.
  4. In the event of a malfunction, failure of operation, or when there is a suspected radiation leakage from the system, immediately stop voltage to the system by pressing the emergency switch or the main power switch. The Radiation Safety Officer must be immediately notified. 

Lab Manager – Dr. Sergey Kapishnikov: 050-5109889

Safety Procedure – Working with X-Ray Radiation Emitting Systems – Miniature X-Ray Source, AMPTEK

Understand the nature of the hazards and familiarize yourself with the X-ray system procedures. Follow the procedures to avoid exposure to radiation.

  1. Entrance control: Entrance to the room where the system is located will be enabled only with an entry code.
  2. X-ray system operation:
    1. The system will be operated only by employees who received radiation safety training and guidance from the laboratory manager to work with x-ray emitting systems operation.
    2. The system will be operated only when contained in the shielded Lead curtains, which must be closed.
    3. The work will be done only with a 25 kVp voltage collimator, a 0.005mA current. In any other working condition, approval from a certified examiner must be obtained prior to operation, in coordination with the Radiation Safety Officer.
    4. System operation will be conducted only according to manufacturer instructions.
    5. When the red indicator light is on, X-ray radiation is emitted, and it is strictly forbidden to open the system Lead curtains, despite the existing threshold switches.
    6. During a long experiment, which necessitates leaving the system operating unattended, close the room and make sure that the red lamp at the entrance to the laboratory is on, to ensure that unqualified personnel will not be able to enter the room (including cleaning employees).
  3. Safety emphases:
    1. Unless necessary, it is recommended not to stand by the system while it is in operation.
    2. Do not disable or bypass existing safety devices on the system!!!
    3. After any handling or change made on the system (tube replacement, change in the facility, etc.), or after it has been off for an extended period of time, the system will return to its operation only after it was checked by a qualified radiation examiner (which will be coordinated with the Radiation Safety Officer).
    4. The approval of the Radiation Safety Officer must be obtained in advance of any unusual operation on the system. Standard approval applies only to the routine operation of the system, that is, the insertion of a regular detector and its inspection. Any other operation requires special approval.
    5. Do not fix any malfunction. The system may only be serviced by qualified technicians on behalf of the manufacturer.
  4. In the event of a malfunction, failure of operation, or when there is a suspected radiation leakage from the system, immediately stop voltage to the system by pressing the emergency switch or the main power switch. The Radiation Safety Officer must be immediately notified.