Contents
6.1 General
Caution signs, labels and notices are important tools in identifying areas in which potential ionizing radiation hazards exist. They aid in ensuring that personnel and visitors are informed of the potential hazards in an area. NYSDOH requires that proper postings and signs be provided in certain radiation use areas. In addition, NYSDOH requires that all radioactive material containers and radiation-producing equipment be labeled in accordance with 10 NYCRR Part 16.12
The following are common symbols universally indicative of a radiation hazard. Areas or containers displaying these symbols should be attended or handled only by authorized personnel.
TreFoil Symbol and Alternating Yellow and Magenta Diagonal Stripping
The Syracuse University Radiation Protection Program requirements for labeling and posting ionizing radiation use areas and equipment are provided in this Section of the Handbook.
6.2 Postings
(i) Postings of Required Regulatory Documents
NYSDOH requires the University to post current copies of the documents listed below. These documents are posted and/or available for review at the Environmental Health and Safety Service Office during normal working hours.
- NYSDOH Sanitary Code Chapter 1, Part 16 (10 NYCRR Part 16)
- The University’s Radioactive Material License and incorporated documents and associated amendments
- Certificate(s) of Registration for Radiation-Producing Equipment
- Any and all related notices of violations and responses – posted within two working days of receipt and until the violation is rectified
- Radiation related correspondence received or submitted to NYSDOH – posted within two working days of receipt or submittal for a minimum of five working days
(ii) Required Postings in Radiation Use Areas (Controlled Areas)
All postings required in a controlled radiation use area must be placed conspicuously where employees who work in or frequent the controlled area may readily observe the sign. They must also be replaced if defaced and/or altered in any way. The following postings are required in each controlled radiation use area. These postings are provided and/or available from Radiation Safety staff.
- A current copy of NYSDOH’s “Notice to Employees” must be posted in each controlled radiation area. (“Notice to Employees” postings are available from Environmental Health and Safety Service Office)
- Syracuse University’s General Radiation Safety Procedures and Work Rules
- Syracuse University’s Radiation Emergency Procedures and Emergency Contact List
Laboratory specific standard operating procedures for all radioactive operations performed in the laboratory, including specific radiation safety steps to be taken during the operation, must also be available in the laboratory.
6.3 Warning Signs
Radiation warning signs identify radiation hazards through symbols and/or hazard warnings. Warning signs must be posted in each controlled radiation area to indicate the presence and the degree of the hazard present in the area. Signs indicating “authorized personnel only” refer to approved radiation workers who directly report to the Radiation Supervisor assigned to the area by the RSC.
Three levels of radiation area have been established: low risk, moderate risk, and high risk. Controlled areas must be posted with the appropriate warning signs required for each level of risk.
Note: Caution/Danger indicates either Caution or Danger, not both, must be on the sign.
(i) Low Risk Radiation Areas
Low risk areas are radiation use/storage areas in which there is no potential for the external radiation exposure in the area to exceed 2 mrem in any one hour or result in a total effective dose equivalent in excess of 100 mrem in a year. These areas must have a sign(s) bearing the radiation symbol and any one or a combination of the following warnings:
- Caution/Danger Radioactive Materials – Laboratory Personnel Only
- Caution/Danger Radioactive Materials
- Caution/Danger Radiation Equipment Area
- Caution/Danger Radiation Equipment Area – Laboratory Personnel Only
(ii) Moderate Risk Radiation Areas
Moderate risk areas are areas where there is a potential for the external radiation exposure to exceed 2 mrem in any one hour or result in a total effective dose equivalent in excess of 100 mrem in a year. Access to these areas must be limited to occupationally exposed individuals only. If any other individual requires entry into the area, steps must be taken to ensure that this individual does not receive a dose in excess of the radiation dose limits established for members of the public. These areas or specific moderate risk locations (i.e. fume hoods, refrigerators) within low risk areas must have a sign(s) bearing the radiation symbol and any one or a combination of the following warnings:
- Caution/Danger Radioactive Material-Admittance to Laboratory Personnel Only
- Caution/Danger Radioactive Material-Admittance to Authorized Personnel Only
- Caution/Danger Radiation Area- Admittance to Authorized Personnel Only
- Caution/Danger Radiation Area
(iii) High Risk Radiation Areas
High risk areas are areas in which an individual could receive in any one hour a dose in excess of 100 mrem at 30 centimeters from a source of radiation or from any surface that the radiation penetrates. In these areas, access is forbidden to all except “Authorized Personnel”. These areas must have a sign(s) bearing the radiation symbol and any one or a combination of the following warnings:
- Caution/Danger Radioactive Material‑Admittance to Authorized Personnel Only
- Caution/Danger High Radiation Area
- Caution/Danger High Radiation Area‑ Admittance to Authorized Personnel Only
(iv) “No Access” Area
“No Access” signs, such as “Danger Contaminated Area ‑ Do Not Enter”, may be used in temporary situations such as spills or accidents. Areas posted with this type of sign are off limits to all personnel except those directly authorized by the RSO. “No Access” signs will taken down as soon as the source of danger is removed.
(v) Airborne Radioactivity Area
An airborne radioactivity area is a room, enclosure, or area in which airborne radioactive materials exist in concentrations:
- in excess of the derived air concentration (DAC) specified in 10 NYCRR Part 16, Appendix 16-C, Table 1, Column 3; or
- to such a degree that an individual present in the area without respiratory protective equipment could exceed, during the hours an individual is present in a week, an intake of 0.6% of the annual limit on intake (ALI) or 12 DAC-hours
Airborne radioactivity areas must be posted with a sign(s) bearing the radiation symbol and the words: “Caution/Danger Radioactivity Area” and “Access To Authorized Personnel Only”.
(vi) Multiple Hazards
If two or more hazards (i.e. radiation and biohazard) exist in one area, signs indicating each hazard must be posted in the area. Access to these areas is determined by the most restrictive hazard.
6.4 Warning Labels
Radioactive warning labels must be provided for all radioactive material containers, laboratory equipment used in conjunction with radioactive materials, radiation use and storage areas, radioactive waste containers and radiation-producing equipment. These labels must be conspicuous and readily identify the radiation hazard. These labels must be removed or defaced prior to the disposal of the material or the removal of the equipment from the controlled area. The following are the labeling requirements for specific situations and materials. Any materials used in conjunction with radioactive materials not specifically included in this list must at a minimum be labeled “Radioactive”.
Situation/Material
Container used to store or transport radioactive materials
Radioactive Waste Containers
Work area containing stored radioactive materials, contaminated objects or contaminated surfaces
All equipment used in conjunction with radioactive materials
Radioactive Waste Disposal Sinks
Refrigerator, fume hoods, centrifuges, cabinets, incubators, etc. used in conjunction with radioactive materials
Radiation-producing equipment
Label Requirements
– “Caution Radioactive Material”
– Isotope(s)
– Activity of each isotope
– Date
– Supervisor’s name
– “Caution Radioactive Material”
– Isotope
– Activity
– Date
– Volume (as applicable)
– Supervisor’s Name
– “Caution Radioactive”
– “Caution Radioactive”
– “Caution Radioactive”
– “Radioactive materials discharged through this sink must be readily soluble in water and within disposal limits”
– “Caution Radioactive”
– “Caution this equipment produces x-rays when energized”