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Bernie Quinn, CIH |
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A quality radiation safety program is determined by how well an organization can take existing regulations and apply those requirements to the specific needs of their organization. Throughout this process, a licensee may have a written radiation safety program designed to promote the safe, effective use of radioactive material in their normal day-to-day requirements. These activities require enormous attention by facility radiation safety officers to ensure exposures to their employees are as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) and to ensure emergencies involving radioactivity are controlled.
AM H&S provides professional health physics support services designed to assist licensees in ensuring compliance with federal, state and local laws. The addition of the AM H&S team to a company's radiation safety department increases productivity, training, and safety of personnel, as well as increased credibility with management, employees and organized work forces. AM H&S offers a wide variety of radiation safety services that are formulated to meet the needs of all industrial, academic and healthcare facilities. AM H&S's wide range of services are designed to maximize the efficiency of use by allowing our customers to select any individual task or a combination of tasks to be performed. Safety Program Review We review the customer's radiation safety program, policies, and procedures to assure compliance with appropriate rules and regulations. Field Audits and Inspections Random and scheduled site visits are conducted to assure compliance with appropriate rules and regulations. A list of deficiencies are identified and provided to the customer for corrective action. Copies of all reports and actions by the customer are tracked by AM H&S until corrected. Program Development AM H&S works with the client to review and/or develop programs and procedures, which may be necessary to assure compliance with appropriate federal, state or local requirements. An example of these services may be the development of a facility's radiation protection manual, or portions thereof, such as emergency procedures, lockout/tagout procedures of radiation producing devices and waste management procedures. Sealed Source Leak Test/Survey Periodic leak test of sealed sources are required of all licensees of sources utilized at customer facilities. AM H&S will conduct wipe tests of sources for analysis at independent laboratories, and will perform radiation surveys of sealed source radiation producing devices in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and current regulations. Training and Education AM H&S provides training and educational programs as directed by the client to maintain compliance with all initial and refresher training requirements. AM H&S provides radiation safety training at customer facilities or at designated training areas, covering topics unique to the client, including general client radiation safety requirements, biological effects and emergency procedures. Radiation Contamination Surveys AM H&S can conduct on-site characterization/radiation surveys of facilities and structures for radioactive contaminants. Additional Support Customized support is available depending on the nature of the work being performed, such as assisting radiation safety officers in license renewal requests, representation during government audits, dose assessments, etc. AM H&S clients can select any of the services outlined above that are appropriate for their needs. The overall effectiveness of the services provided is related to the authority the client transfers to AM H&S We will work with the customer to determine their needs, and to devise a plan that maximizes the effectiveness of their radiation safety program. |
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