Program: Radiation Safety Training


Lead: Jason Smith
Phone:(510) 643-8529
E-mail: tguncle@berkeley.edu

Team: Radiation Safety
Associate Director: Patrick Goff

Description


Initial Training for Radiation Users: Every person who works with an ionizing radiation source at UC Berkeley is required to complete initial radiation safety training before being added to a Radiation Use Authorization (RUA). Being named on an RUA is a prerequisite to being permitted to using a radiation source (the one exception is that in the case of electron microscope use, the only person required to be listed on the RUA is the RUA Holder).

Ionizing radiation sources include unsealed radioactive material, sealed sources containing radioactive materials, devices containing radioactive sources, and machines that produce ionizing radiation by electronic means.

Further details are available at: Initial training


Refresher Training for Radiation Users: In addition to initial training, everyone who works with a radiation source is required to complete annual refresher training in order to remain on an active RUA.

Initial and annual refresher training requirements apply to the person who holds the RUA, as well as to the other individuals named on the RUA. Initial and annual radiation safety training is not optional. Besides insuring that all radiation users are appropriately informed of hazards and necessary controls, initial and refresher training are among the commitments UC Berkeley has been required to make in order to be granted a license for radiation source use by the California Department of Public Health.

Further details are available at: Refresher training


Training for Ancillary Personnel: RUA Holders are responsible for providing safety briefings to people who are not named on the RUA, but who will visit or work in any of the authorized use locations. The briefings must summarize potential hazards, the meaning of posting, labeling, and access control measures and the actions that should be taken in response to radiological alarms. RUA Holders must provide follow-up briefings whenever there are changes in the work that impacts radiation safety and also as needed due to visitors or turnover in ancillary personnel accessing the use locations. RUA Holders must also maintain documentation of the safety briefings (including dates and personnel involved) and must make the documentation available for inspection.

Written materials that may be used to cover some basic information is available at: Ancillary Personnel

Initial Radiation Safety Training
Course Title Applies to: Note Course Format How to register/complete
Radioactive Material User Training Anyone planning to become an RUA Holder or a user on an RUA authorizing unsealed radioactive source possession/use. This is not the right course for those whose radiation use will be limited to devices that produce radiation electronically (e.g. x-ray machines) 4 hour in-person lecture with quiz (presented approx. monthly) See instructions below.
Sealed Source User Training Anyone planning to become an RUA Holder or a user on an RUA authorizing sealed source possession/use only. (Note: this is the initial training required for people who will use irradiators that contain Cs-137.) Anyone who has already completed initial training for unsealed radioactive material use isn't required to complete this course. Read-and-sign Read material at: (sealed source training material) Print, sign, date & submit certificate to EH&S.
Radiation Producing Machine Safety Except as noted in next column, applies to anyone planning to become an RUA Holder or a user on an RUA authorizing RPM possession or use. Not required for electron microscope use except for those planning to be named on the RUA (e.g. RUA Holder) This isn't the correct training for people who will use irradiators that contain Cs-137. On-line course (three modules) with quizzes See instructions below.


To register for any online course OR for the lecture for the Radioactive Material User Training:

  1. Log in to BLU.BERKELEY.EDU
  2. After logging in, "The UC Berkeley Learning Center" is the last listing under self-service in the left hand column - click on the "The UC Berkeley Learning Center" link to see the catalog.
  3. Type the word "radiation" into the search box at the top of the catalog page and click the "Go" button.
  4. Search results will be listed - click on the applicable course. Options for that course will be displayed - click the "Register" button.

    5. IF YOU ARE UNABLE to register for the needed course by following the steps provided above, we apologize - the transition to UC's new training administration and tracking system is not 100% complete. Please follow applicable instructions below:

  5. If you need information about when/where the next "Radioactive Material User Training" lecture will be held and/or want to register, please send an email to radtraining@berkeley.edu.
  6. For other courses, please go to http://ehs.berkeley.edu/trainnonemploy.html. If you're a UC Berkeley employee, don't be deterred by any "non-employee" statements on the webpage and/or within the course material.
  7. For online courses, please be sure to click through to the final slide and follow any instructions provided - this is important to insure that your course completion is communicated to EH&S.
For assistance with either the UCB Learning Center or an EH&S training class, you may also contact Tim Bean, the EH&S Training Manager, at (510) 643-3482 or mtbean@berkeley.edu.


Annual Refresher Radiaiton Safety Training
Course Title Applies to: Note Format How to register/complete
Radiation Safety Online Retraining Anyone who has completed the applicable initial radiation safety training in a prior calendar year and who wishes to either remain on an RUA or be added to an RUA as the RUA holder or as a user. Doesn't apply to anyone who doesn't need to be named on an RUA. On-line course See instructions below.


  1. Log in to BLU.BERKELEY.EDU
  2. After logging in, "The UC Berkeley Learning Center" is the last listing under self-service in the left hand column - click on the "The UC Berkeley Learning Center" link to see the catalog.
  3. Type the word "radiation" into the search box at the top of the catalog page and click the "Go" button.
  4. Search results will be listed - click on the applicable course. Options for that course will be displayed - click the "Register" button.

    5. IF YOU ARE UNABLE to register for the needed course by following the steps provided above, we apologize - the transition to UC's new training administration and tracking system is not 100% complete. Please follow applicable instructions below:

  5. If you need information about when/where the next "Radioactive Material User Training" lecture will be held and/or want to register, please send an email to radtraining@berkeley.edu.
  6. For other courses, please go to http://ehs.berkeley.edu/trainnonemploy.html. If you're a UC Berkeley employee, don't be deterred by any "non-employee" statements on the webpage and/or within the course material.
  7. For online courses, please be sure to click through to the final slide and follow any instructions provided - this is important to insure that your course completion is communicated to EH&S.
For assistance with either the UCB Learning Center or an EH&S training class, you may also contact Tim Bean, the EH&S Training Manager, at (510) 643-3482 or mtbean@berkeley.edu.


Radiation Safety Training for Ancillary Personnel
Course Applies to: Note Format How to register/complete
Non-user Training People who won't personally use radiation sources, but who:
- share facilities with users, or
- clean or repair facilities where radioactive material &/or radiation is present 		If this material is used, RUA Holder must still provide ancillary personnel with information specific to the RUA & the use locations. read & submit Read material; print, sign, date & submit certificate to applicable RUA Holder.


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