Georgia Tech has a license from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to use radioactive material as needed for a variety of research projects. The radioactive material must be used safely according to regulations and procedures submitted in the license application. To assess compliance, the DNR inspects all radioactive material license holders every 2 – 5 years. Georgia Tech’s turn for an inspection came this past March.
The inspector stayed for two days. He reviewed Radiation Safety Committee minutes, radioactive package receipt and shipment records, campus surveys, training records, exposure histories, and other documents. He also visited a sample of laboratories around campus to inspect radioactive material use and storage, warning signs and postings. Finally he performed surveys of selected areas to verify safe radiation levels.
In the end, he found no items of non-compliance! The Office of Radiological Safety wishes to extend a sincere ‘Job-Well-Done!’ to all the researchers using radioactive material safely, for insisting that good safety practices are followed, and for their staff and students who follow those practices diligently every day.