Radiation Safety

The teaching and research activities at Dalhousie University employ numerous and varied sources of radiation in the form of nuclear substances and radiation emitting devices. The policies and procedures described herein are designed to provide a reasonable and practical standard of safety for the use of nuclear substances in the university and to assist in compliance with all applicable regulations and codes as well as the ALARA principle.

In Canada there are several bodies which have jurisdiction over aspects of the use of ionizing radiation. Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) licenses the acquisition and use of all nuclear substances and certain radiation emitting equipment such as nuclear reactors and accelerators. The Health Protection Branch of Health Canada and in particular the Radiation Protection Bureau formulates regulations relating to the standard of functioning of new radiation equipment under the aegis of the Radiation Emitting Devices Act. This group also prepares certain “Safety Codes” to provide for some national guidelines. Many provinces also have their own regulations regarding the use of radiation emitting equipment. In general the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) are used to formulate the rules and conditions under which radiation-emitting devices or nuclear substances are used.

Dalhousie University has a Nuclear Substance and Radiation Device License issued by the CNSC. To view sections 1-5 of this document, please access Nuclear Substance and Radiation Device License No. 07154-2-22.2 [PDF - 2.44 MB].

Documents

• Decomissioning - Renovations, Remodels, Moves, Terminations [PDF - 172 KB]
  
• Radiation Safety Manual [PDF - 1.92 MB]
• Radiation Spill Kit [PDF - 37.1 KB]

Forms

• Application for Nuclear Substance User Permit [PDF - 95 KB]
• Application for Nuclear Substance User Permit Amendment (Form RS-002) [PDF - 64 KB]
• Application for Renewal of Nuclear Substance User Permit (Form RS-003) [PDF - 63 KB]
• Declaration of Pregnancy [PDF - 9.7 KB]
• Dilution of Nuclear Substances [PDF - 24.0 KB]
  
• Industrial Radiography Form [PDF - 28.0 KB]
  
• Internal Transfer Form [PDF - 90 KB]
• Notification of Nuclear Energy Worker Status [PDF - 145 KB]
• Radiation Incident Report [PDF - 58 KB]
• Radiation Worker Registration Form [PDF - 74.3  KB]
• Record of Disposition of Radioactive Material (Form RS-001) [PDF - 172 KB]
• Safe Handling of Nuclear Substances in Undergraduate Laboratories [PDF - 48 KB]
• Signage Requirements [PDF - 726 KB]
  
• Teaching Laboratory Enrollment Form [PDF - 58 KB]

Resources

• CNSC - Radionuclide Information Booklet [PDF - 884 KB]
• Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations [PDF - 580 KB]
  
• General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations [PDF - 448 KB]
  
• Radiation Protection Regulations [PDF - 438 KB]
  
• Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (CNSC) [PDF - 438 KB]