Radiation Safety Officer Training for Laboratory Professionals
June 9–13, 2008
Boston, Massachusetts
Register for 2008
Download the 2008 Brochure
Scholarships Available!
Program Overview
There is no other single program available in the U.S. that specifically trains individuals for the radiological safety issues faced by the biotechnology, university, hospital, and medical laboratory.
This is a fundamental 40-hour training program designed to prepare researchers and safety officers with the necessary skills to implement a radiation protection program in a biotechnology, university, hospital or medical laboratory and comply with state regulations standards regarding the use of radionuclides.
There are thousands of small biotechnology, university, hospital, and medical laboratories throughout the country that use radionuclides in their research and clinical practice. Each of these institutions is required to appoint a qualified Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) to oversee the use, application, monitoring, and disposal of radionuclides. The person occupying this position must meet the training and experience qualifications specified in licenses issued by the NRC or Agreement States.
This program will focus primarily on the radionuclides most commonly used in biotechnology, hospitals, and medical facilities (i.e., C-14, H-3, S-35, P-32/33, Ni-63, Tc-99m, and radioiodines), as well as
the techniques used to assay these radionuclides in laboratory radiation safety surveys.
This program is a unique training experience providing the perspectives and experiences of laboratory radiation safety officers and agreement state regulators!
Practical Format
- Practical applications (not theory) focusing on lessons learned through experience better prepare you to meet your responsibilities and reinforce the lectures.
- Hands-on laboratory exercises highlight applications of hand-held instruments and liquid scintillation counting.
- Interaction with Agreement State regulators provides education on inspection practices.
- The software applications used are invaluable “tools of the trade.”
- Interactive discussions following all program assignments allow for further analysis of the topic.
Special Benefit
Every participant will receive:
- Personal copy of 105 CMR 120 — Radiological Protection Regulations
- Course certificate showing completion of 40 hours of RSO training
Who Should Attend
- People who want to be Radiation Safety Officers in a university, biotechnology center, or medical facility
- Laboratory staff scientists who need radiation safety training to qualify as a “user” of radionuclides
- Biotechnology scientists who use radionuclide tracers
- Scientists in the radiopharmaceutical industry (production and R&D)
- Physicians and medical staff who use radionuclides in the healing arts
- Laboratory staff (all fields) who use radionuclides
Upon Completion Of This Program You Will
- Possess Radiation Safety Officer skills specific to the biotechnology, university, hospital, and medical laboratory environments
- Know how to avoid regulatory compliance problems and maintain a safe laboratory environment
- Assess and discuss risks of radiation and biological effects with employees
- Possess the “tools of health physics practice” applied to laboratories
- Properly manage and document radiological effluents and waste streams associated with biotechnology research laboratories
- Know what the regulators require and expect you to provide to demonstrate compliance with a radionuclide permit and license requirements
Program Director
Edward F. Maher, ScD, CHP
Adjunct Lecturer
Department of Environmental Science
Harvard School of Public Health
Associate & Senior Health Physicist
Dade Moeller & Associates, Inc.
Faculty
Christopher B. Martel, MS, CHP
Radiation Safety Officer
Director, Office of Medical Physics and Radiation Safety
Assistant Professor of Radiology
Boston University Medical Center
Nicholas M. Panzarino, MS, CHP
Senior Health Physicist
Dade Moeller & Associates, Inc.
Joseph P. Ring, PhD, CHP
Associate Director, Radiological Services
Radiation Safety Officer
Environmental Health & Safety
Harvard University
James Rohrbacher, MS
Radiological Engineer
Wyeth Research, Inc.
Michael O. Whalen, Jr., MS, CHP
Senior Health Physicist
Radiation Control Program
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Agenda
| Monday, June 9, 2008 | |
| 8:00 am |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30 | Welcome and Program Objectives and Overview – Maher |
| 9:00 | Atomic Structure and Radioactivity – Panzarino |
| 9:45 | Radiation Quantities and Units – Panzarino |
| 10:30 | Refreshment Break |
| 10:45 | Radiation Interaction with Matter, Types and Sources of Radiation – Maher |
| 11:15 | Biological Effects of Radiation, Understanding Risks of Radiation – Maher |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Risks to the Pregnant Worker, Radiation Risk Communication – Maher |
| 2:00 | Radiation Exposure Control: Time, Distance, and Shielding – Panzarino |
| 3:00 | Refreshment Break |
| 3:15 | External and Internal Dosimetry: Regulatory and Other Practical Considerations – Panzarino |
| 5:00 | Homework Assignment #1 – Panzarino |
| 5:15 | Sessions End |
| Tuesday, June 10, 2008 | |
| 7:30 am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00 | Discussion of Homework Assignment #1 – Maher |
| 8:30 | Radiation Protection Standards, 105 CMR 120, and 10 CFR Parts 19 & 20 – Whalen |
| 10:00 | Refreshment Break |
| 10:15 | Demonstration of Compliance with Effluents Release Limits (Air & Water) – Martel/Whalen |
| 11:00 | Recordkeeping and Retention for Compliance Demonstration – Martel/Whalen |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Preparing for MA RCP License Inspection, Notice of Violation, Penalties, Expectations – Whalen |
| 3:00 | Refreshment Break |
| 3:15 | Survey Documentation, Contamination Control, Good Practices and Procedures – Martel |
| 4:45 | Skin Dose from Radioactive Contamination – Martel |
| 5:15 | Homework Assignment #2 – Martel |
| 5:30 | Sessions End |
| Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | |
| 7:30 am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00 |
Discussion of Homework Assignment #2 – Maher |
| 9:00 | Introduction to Liquid Scintillation Counting, Instrumentation, Standards, Quenching, and Instrument QA/QC – Ring |
| 10:15 |
Refreshment Break |
| 10:30 | Radiation Hazard Assessment, Instrument Surveys, Counting Statistics, Contamination Levels, Wipe Testing and Documentation – Ring |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 |
Hand-Held Instrument Laboratory Practical or Liquid Scintillation Laboratory Practical – Ring/Martel |
| 2:45 | Refreshment Break |
| 3:00 | Hand-Held Instrument Laboratory Practical or Liquid Scintillation Laboratory Practical – Ring/Martel |
| 4:30 | Homework Assignment #3 – Ring |
| 5:15 | Sessions End |
| Thursday, June 12, 2008 | |
| 7:30 am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00 |
Discussion of Homework Assignment #3 – Maher |
| 8:30 | Introduction to Radioactive and Mixed Waste Management, Status of National Radiation Waste Policy Act – Maher |
| 10:15 | Refreshment Break |
| 10:30 | Waste Minimization and Volume Reduction Practices, Waste Management Brokers and Service Vendors, Disposal – Maher |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Shipping of Radioactive Materials Regulations – Rohrbacher |
| 2:30 | Refreshment Break |
| 2:45 | Shipping and Transportation Incidents, the Procurement and Receipt of Radioactive Material – Rohrbacher |
| 4:00 | Inventory Control of Radioactive Materials; Response to Personnel Contamination Incidents – Rohrbacher |
| 5:15 | Homework Assignment #4 – Rohrbacher |
| 5:30 | Sessions End |
| Friday, June 13, 2008 | |
| 7:30 am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00 |
Discussion of Homework Assignment #4 – Maher |
| 8:30 | Introduction of Air Sampling for CHIPS – Panzarino |
| 10:00 | Refreshment Break |
| 10:15 | Air Monitoring for Radioactive Iodine and Employee Bioassay Programs – Panzarino |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Security and Protection of Radioactive Materials – Maher/Whalen |
| 2:30 | Refreshment Break |
| 2:45 | Management Systems in Radiation Protection, Audits, License Renewal, Procedures, Training, and Technical Resources for RSOs – Maher |
| 4:00 | Program Evaluation and Closing – Maher |
| 4:30 | Adjournment |
| Agenda is subject to change | |
Continuing Education Credit
- 5 Industrial Hygiene CM Points, American Board of Industrial Hygiene
- 32 CECs, American Academy of Health Physics
- 3.7 CEUs
The CEUs earned in this program may be applied towards the following credits:
- Board Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Continuance of Certification (COC) Points
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) Maintenance Points
- Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Certification Maintenance Points
- National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT) Maintenance Points
- Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) Certification Maintenance Points
- Other specialty CEUs may be available
The Harvard School of Public Health has an Education and Research Center (ERC) that is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Program Check-In
On the first day, please check in at:
Harvard School of Public Health
Kresge Building
677 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
(617) 384-8692
The program takes place at the Harvard School of Public Health, located in the heart of the Harvard Longwood Campus in Boston. Public transportation is also readily available to the city's many shopping districts, museums and restaurants. For directions, please visit: the Longwood Campus directions page.
Accommodations
Hilton Boston Back Bay
40 Dalton Street
Boston, MA 02115
617-236-1100
$229 single/double occupancy + 12.45% tax
Rooms have been reserved at this reduced rate until May 9, 2008. Reservations should be made when you receive your registration and payment confirmation. Please mention the program name and the Harvard School of Public Health to receive the special rate.
What Participants Say
“Best class ever on radiation safety. A great mix of theories and practical ideas to incorporate into our everyday programs.”
— Roberta L. Clarke
EHS Specialist
Wyeth Research
Cambridge, MA
“I give two thumbs up for the program and faculty members who conducted it. I learned a lot from intensive lectures, homework, and interaction with other participants. Through this program, I got a better understanding of radiation safety and the full responsibility of a RSO. I am now equipped to do training and review the RS manual and make use of international standards to address the problems and deficiencies in our Radiation Safety program.”
— Lilia Molina
RHSO & Assistant Manager II
International Rice Research Institute
Philippines
Program Fee
$1,795 if payment received between March 15 and May 30, 2008
$1,895 if payment received after May 30, 2008
Program fee includes:
- Comprehensive take-home reference manual
- Continental breakfasts, lunches and refreshment breaks
- Harvard School of Public Health certificate of attendance
- Personal copy of 105 CMR 120 — Radiological Protection Regulations
- Continuing education credit
Partial Tuition Scholarships Available
This program is supported by a grant from NIOSH which offers tuition scholarships reserved primarily for state and local public employees. Private institutions are also eligible. Along with your registration form, each scholarship applicant must send a letter or note (click here for mailing address) with all of the following information:
(You can also fill out this information in the online registration form)
- Your title and job duties
- How this program would help you do your duties for your organization
- Why you and your organization need this training
- How much scholarship money you need in order to attend.
All scholarship applications must be received by April 28, 2008.
Workforce Training Funding for Massachusetts Employers: This program is eligible for Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development funding grants. Massachusetts companies may be eligible for up to 50% off program fees. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development for assistance on filling out the approval forms:
800-252-1591
http://www.mass.gov/wtf
Payment Policy
Payment must be made in US funds and received in order to process your registration. Payment by credit card is strongly preferred (Visa, MasterCard, AmEx). If paying by check, please make check payable to: Harvard School of Public Health-CCPE, and be sure participants name is on the check. Note: Please do not make non-refundable flight arrangements until you have received confirmation from us.
Substitution/Cancellation Policy
Substitutions may be made without additional charge. All requests for substitutions or cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellation on or before April 18, 2008 will be issued a refund less $150 administrative fee per person. Cancellations received between April 19, 2008 and May 16, 2008 will be issued a refund of 50%. After May 16, 2008, no refund will be issued. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
Ways to Register
- To register online simply check off the items below and click Register Now.
- Call 617-384-8692 and register over the phone. You may also call this number for any registration questions you may have.
- Print the PDF Registration Form and fax it to 617-384-8690 with credit card information.
- You may also fill out, print and mail the form with payment to:
Harvard School of Public Health
Center for Continuing Professional Education
CCPE – Dept. A
677 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115(If you are planning on sending an overnight package, please send to this address.)

