General rules for laboratories where unsealed sources are used

1. All persons handling or using radioactive materials must be radiation workers registered with the University Radiation Protection Service.
2. At all times when radioactive material is being handled, full personal protection, in the form of a well-fitting laboratory coat, gloves and, where appropriate, eye and mouth protection, must be worn.
3. Workers using ³H, ¹⁴C and ³⁵S are not normally monitored, although in the case of ³H and ¹⁴C it may be necessary to assess internal dose using urine samples, and for ³⁵S finger monitors should be used by new workers. Those using other nuclides, eg ³²P and ¹²⁵I, must wear finger-monitors when handling undiluted or slightly-diluted stock solutions.
4. All radioactive materials and solutions must only be handled and manipulated in bench-areas designated for such work. These areas must be covered in a suitably absorbent material such as "Benchcote", and the work performed over drip-trays. The areas designated for handling must be clearly delineated with marker-tape and detailed on a map of the individual laboratory.
5. No food, drinks, smoking materials, snuff or makeup may be taken into any laboratory in which radionuclides are handled, nor may medications, proprietary or prescribed, be consumed or administered in such a laboratory.
6. Anyone who has been handling or working with radionuclides in any form must wash his or her hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory, even for a brief period. No-one shall leave the laboratory wearing gloves, a laboratory coat or any other item worn for protection while handling radionuclides.
7. Stock solutions, undiluted solutions, bulk diluted solutions and all other radioactive materials must be stored separately from non-radioactive materials, in a clearly-marked, locked cupboard, freezer or refrigerator when not in use.
8. All dilution of radionuclides from stock solutions must take place at a designated site, which in the case of ³²P and ¹²⁵I may be classified a controlled area, depending upon risk assessment. The transportation of radioactive materials from one laboratory to another should be restricted to the minimum. Under no circumstances may radioactive material be transferred from one building to another, or off the University campus, without prior discussion with the URPO.
9. All areas where radionuclides are handled and used shall be subjected to regular checks for contamination and these checks recorded. Any contamination found must be removed and recorded.
10. Any accident or spillage which involves radioactive materials must be contained, the area sealed off and the URPO informed immediately (see section on emergency procedures in Main Rules for further details).
11. Careful and complete records must be kept of all radioactive materials used, stating amounts drawn from stock and amounts disposed of, together with the method of disposal. These records shall be collected by the SRPO and made available to the URPO on request for audit. The location of all sources must be known at all times.
12. Accumulation of waste material must be avoided. When a significant amount has been collected it must be passed, with prior arrangement, to the University Radiation Protection Service for disposal.