Radiation sources used in research and education include particle accelerators, sealed radioactive sources, such as low activity check sources and high activity sealed radioactive sources in irradiators; unsealed radioactive sources that are used as tracers in field work and in laboratory work; naturally occurring radioactive material and X ray generators such as diffraction apparatus and fluorescence analyzers. This Safety Guide provides recommendations on how to meet the relevant requirements of IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3 in the use of radiation sources in research and education. It provides guidance on the control of occupational exposure and of public exposure, for planned exposure situations and, where appropriate, emergency exposure situations and on the safety measures specific to this practice. The recommendations in this publication are aimed primarily at operating organizations such as educational and research establishments including schools, colleges, universities and technical institutes that are authorized to use radiation sources in academic programs, as well as their employees, students, teachers and radiation protection officers. The guidance will also be of interest to individuals working for regulatory bodies and other relevant organizations involved in design, manufacture, supply and service of radiation sources and associated equipment for research and education.

• 1. INTRODUCTION
  • Background
  • Objective
  • Scope
  • Structure
• 2. RADIATION PROTECTION PRINCIPLES FOR SOURCES USED IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Justification of the use of sources in research and education
  • Optimization of protection and safety in research and education
    • Dose constraints
  • Dose limits
• 3. TYPES OF RADIATION SOURCE USED IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Sealed sources used in research and education
  • Unsealed sources used in research and education
  • Electrodeposited sources used in research and education
  • Radiation generators used in research and education
• 4. ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RADIATION SOURCES USED IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Graded approach to radiation safety in the use of sources in research and education
  • Responsibilities of operating organizations, registrants and licensees in research and education
  • Management system, organizational structure and policies for radiation safety in research and education
  • Radiation protection programme for sources used in research and education
  • Radiation safety committee
  • Radiation protection officers in research and education
  • Laboratory radiation protection officers in research and education
  • Qualified experts
  • Workers and other persons using radiation sources in research and education
    • Workers who are not employed by the operating organization
  • Control of radioactive sources in research and education
    • Security of radioactive material and the interfaces with safety
  • Safety culture
  • Human factors
  • Process improvement
• 5. SAFETY ASSESSMENT FOR RADIATION SOURCES USED IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Methods of safety assessment
  • Outcomes of the safety assessment
  • Review of the safety assessment
  • Record of the safety assessment
• 6. DESIGN OF FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND RADIATION SOURCES IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Design of laboratories and other facilities for use of radiation sources in research and education
    • General design requirements for research and educational facilities
    • Specific design requirements for research and educational facilities
  • Design of equipment containing radiation sources for use in research and education
  • Design of sealed radioactive sources
  • Use of radiation sources in temporary locations
• 7. OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION IN THE USE OF SOURCES IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Designation of controlled areas and supervised areas in research and education
  • Local rules for the use of radiation sources in research and education
    • Local rules for unsealed radioactive material
    • Local rules for sealed sources
    • Local rules for electrodeposited sources
    • Local rules for radiation generators
  • Workplace monitoring in research and education
  • Monitoring and assessment of individual exposure in research and education
    • Assessment of external exposure using personal dosimeters
    • Assessment of external exposure using workplace monitoring
    • Assessment of internal exposure
  • Records of individual exposure
  • Investigation levels
  • Personal protective equipment for the use of sources in research and education
  • Health surveillance programme
  • Information, instruction and training for the use of sources in research and education
  • Conditions of service and special arrangements
    • Pregnant or breastfeeding workers
    • Persons under 18 years of age who are undergoing training
• 8. RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DECOMMISSIONING IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Management of radioactive discharges in research and education
  • Radioactive waste management in research and education
  • Decommissioning of research and educational facilities
• 9. RADIATION PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE USE OF SOURCES IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
• 10. TRANSPORT AND MOVEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCES USED IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
• 11. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE FOR RADIATION SOURCES IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
  • Emergency plans and procedures for sources in research and education
  • Emergency equipment for sources in research and education
  • Training and exercises for emergencies involving radiation sources
  • Analysis of emergencies involving radiation sources
• REFERENCES
• Annex I USE OF NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
• Annex II USE OF RADIATION SOURCES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
• Annex III RADIATION PROTECTION OF STUDENTS IN MEDICAL AND PARAMEDICAL EDUCATION
  • Education and training in radiation protection before clinical training
    • Radiation protection in clinical training of medical students
• Annex IV USE OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF RADIATION SOURCE IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
• Annex V EXAMPLE ACTIONS TO CONSIDER IN EMERGENCY PLANS AND PROCEDURES FOR RADIATION SOURCES USED IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
• CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW