Radiation information for Animal and Vet Science
Students going on placement

Registering as radiation workers

Students on placement in vet clinics or with ambulatory services that use x-ray apparatus could potentially be exposed to x-ray radiation when ionising radiation apparatus are being operated (eg x-ray (fixed and portable) and fluoroscopes) and as such are considered to be ‘radiation workers’.

The University is obliged to collect certain information from all radiation workers. Please complete the form available at https://unified.adelaide.edu.au/group/mycampus/vet-hsw-radiation-worker-registration in order to register as a radiation worker. This must be completed before you are able to pick up your holder which includes the dosimeter.

Monitoring your exposure to radiation

The University has a responsibility to ensure that your exposure to radiation is as low as reasonably achievable and that you receive no more than 1mSv in a year. In order to monitor the radiation doses that you are receiving you will be required to wear a TLD radiation dosimeter (monitor).

Holder and dosimeter (monitor)

Obtaining monitors and holder

The initial cost is $27.50 ($25.00 + $2.50 GST) to purchase a holder. An annual fee for inserts will be charged to your student account. The TLD inserts (monitors) are for a set period of time (i.e. 3 months). Therefore the inserts need to be changed quarterly.  Approximate time of changeover of inserts   will occur during Semester 1 - week 1 and 11, Semester 2 - week 4 and last week of end of year exams. The monitors must be stored on campus during semester time. There will be a specific allocated area for this depending on your year level and rotation. 

Before your placement begins you will need to collect your monitor and   wear the monitor while on placement when radiation work is being conducted either by you or in your presence. The monitor is to be returned on commencement or recommencement of University semester.  Final year students will be required to store their monitor in an area appropriate for their rotation during semester time.

It is important that you return your monitor to the delegated area on campus when not in use.  If the monitor is not stored in the designated area during change over time or is late, lost or damaged, a $39.60 fine from ARPANSA will be incurred. This will be charged in addition to the purchase of a new holder if required.

Sourcing your monitor

Monitors will be available at the Companion Animal Health Centre reception desk from  Thursday midday onwards. You will be able to pay by cash, eftpos or credit card. All appropriate paper work must be filled in prior to collecting badges.   Lost  badges need to be reported immediately to Wendy Hamood.

If you don’t have a monitor when you go on placement

If you don’t have a monitor you will not be prohibited from going on placement, however you will not be allowed to be present when ionising radiation apparatus are being operated.

Wearing, storage and transport of your dosimeter

Wearing

• Before you operate, or are present when ionising radiation apparatus is being operated, you must ensure that you are wearing your monitor.

• The monitor is worn at waist or chest height and underneath protective devices such as lead rubber or lead plastic aprons.

• Do not to place objects such as coins, pens, etc in front of the monitor.

• A monitor is only to be worn by one person. You must never wear a monitor assigned to another person.

Storage

• When not in use the monitor should be stored where background radiation levels are low and away from direct fluorescent light (i.e. a drawer).

Transport by air

• If you are taking your monitor on a plane you must ensure it is carried on as hand luggage.

• At the end of each quarterly monitoring period you will be asked to submit an online declaration and include details such as the number of times the monitor has been taken on a plane.

Aberrant exposure readings

AVS and the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Team, HR will be reviewing all dose reports received from ARPANSA to ensure that you don’t receive a dose greater that 1 millisievert (mSv) per year. If a report exceeds 200 microsieverts (μSv) an investigation will be conducted. You may be required to no longer participate in activities where you may be exposed to radiation.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant please refer to the Pregnancy Information Sheet (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3059/?dsn=policy.document;field=data;id=5862;m=view)