II.  Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

A.  General Responsibilities of the RSO
B.  Specific Authorities of the RSO

II. RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER (RSO)

The Radiation Safety Officer is an employee of the University and serves as an ex officio member of the RCC and its subcommittees and reports to the RCC on radiation safety activities conducted at the University.  The RSO coordinates activities with the HUS and the RCC, and maintains minutes of meetings.  Specific responsibilities of the RSO in regard to radiation use programs may be established or changed by the RCC.  The RSO is the Manager of the Radiation Safety Division.  The Radiation Safety Division is part of the Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs (SHEA) Department.

A. General Responsibilities of the RSO and appointed designees:  top

1. Provide consultation to users and potential users of sources of ionizing radiation and shall make recommendations relative to radiation safety aspects of their program.
2. Review proposals with appropriate subcommittees for the use of radioactive materials and other sources of ionizing radiation prior to the submittal of such proposals to the RCC for approval.
3. Conduct training sessions on the safe use of ionizing radiation.
4. Maintain necessary records on radioactive waste disposal, storage, transfer of radioactive materials, personnel dosimetry, and surveys performed by the Radiation Safety Division.
5. Maintain a system of collecting and packaging radioactive waste for disposal.
6. Maintain liaison with the RCC on matters of radiation safety at the University.

The RSO is charged to:

1.  Halt any experiment, procedure, or work that could jeopardize the safety or property of University personnel or the general public.  In case of serious violations, the RSO has the authority to seize or secure any radioactive material or source of ionizing radiation, and to temporarily suspend approval for the use of material or radiation sources.  The RCC chairman, State of New Mexico (NMED), and the permit holder shall be notified of any temporary suspension within 24 hours.  The suspended permit holder shall be entitled to a hearing before the RCC within seven days of the temporary suspension.
2.  Perform or see that inspections and/or surveys are conducted of facilities where radioactive materials or ionizing radiation producing machines under the jurisdiction of the University are used or stored.  The frequency for inspecting a user’s laboratory by the Radiation Safety Officer will depend upon the type of operation or program being conducted.
3.  Approve release of areas or equipment previously designated for radioactive materials.
4.  Maintain centralized records for procurements, user authorizations, inventories, surveys, waste disposal, and personnel monitoring.
5.  Approve all procurements of radionuclides.
6.  Notify permit holders to request renewal of their permits prior to the permit expiration date.
7.  Release personal dosimetry records as requested to supervisors and outside agencies by authorized signed release.