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Radiation Safety

Ensure the safety of your research and the community with comprehensive radiation safety practices on campus.

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Navigating radiation safety in your research

Radiation can be a vital tool in advancing research, but it comes with critical responsibilities. Whether you’re working with radioactive materials or radiation generating devices, this page offers the guidance and resources you need to conduct your work safely and in compliance with university and federal regulations.

Radiation Safety Policy

Mandatory training

Personnel must meet with the RSO before beginning work with radioactive materials, radiation-generating devices, or class 3B and 4 lasers.

For all personnel working with radioactive materials, radiation-generating devices, and/or lasers (Class 3B and/or 4 lasers):

  1. Complete the Application for the Authorization to Use Radioactive Materials, Radiation Generating Devices, or Laser.
  2. Complete required CITI training (We have instructions for CITI registration):
    • Radiation Safety (if working with radioactive materials)
    • Radiation-generating Devices Training (if working with radiation-generating devices)
    • Laser Safety (if working with Class 3B and 4 lasers)
  3. Email rsc@olemiss.edu with training certificate.
  4. For users of Radioactive Materials and/or Radiation-Generating Devices, the RSO will email you after you submit your form to schedule a meeting with you to review your application, complete any additional training, and discuss dosimetry needs.
  5. You and your supervisor will be sent a Personnel Approval Letter.
  6. The RSO will deliver a dosimeter to the appropriate location if needed.

CITI certification is good for three years. On or before your three-year anniversary date, you must complete a CITI Refresher course. Information about Refresher courses can be found on the CITI website.

Understand radiation terms

A term that refers directly to the energy, either particulate or ray, that an unstable atom gives off or a machine directly produces.

A term that refers to an atom that releases energy as radiation.

A term that refers to a radioactive substance composed of radioactive atoms that release energy as radiation. Radioactive materials can be in a liquid, solid, or gaseous phase. Examples include tritium, phosphorus-32, Sulfur-35, etc.

A term that refers to a device that produces radiation when the power source is turned on. Examples include X-ray machines, X-ray Diffractors, Particle Accelerators, etc.

The professional disciplines authorized by the laws of Mississippi to use sources of radiation in the diagnosis or treatment of human or animal diseases.

Acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a device that stimulates atoms or molecules to emit light at particular wavelengths and amplifies that light, typically producing a narrow beam of radiation. Radiation emitted by a laser beam is non-ionizing radiation (radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum with energies too low to free an electron and result in ionization).

Lasers or laser systems that emit between 5 and 500 milliwatts (mW) and can cause injury if someone views the beam directly. Class 3B lasers can produce eye injury before the aversion response takes over. Examples include microscopy and laser engravers.

Lasers or laser systems that emit powers greater than 500 milliwatts (mW) and can cause injury if someone views the beam directly or views a reflection of the laser beam. Class 4 lasers present a hazard for eye and skin injury, can produce laser-generated air contaminants, and can cause fires from interactions of the beam with flammable materials. Examples include laser cutters, laser engravers, etc.

Device location forms

Obtaining new radioactive materials, radiation-generating devices, and lasers (Class 3B or 4)

Complete these forms prior to purchasing materials/devices.

  • Complete this form and submit to rsc@olemiss.edu
  • RSC Chair will review and sign form.
  • Form will be returned to Registrant.

  1. To order radioactive materials:
    1. Complete this form and submit to rsc@olemiss.edu.
    2. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) will order radioactive materials and deliver to the appropriate lab.
  2. ​To classify a room for the use of radioactive materials:
    1. ​Complete this form.
    2. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) will work with the PI to classify the room for the use of radioactive materials.
  3. ​To transfer radioactive materials to another PI:
    1. ​Complete this form.
    2. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) will review the request.

  • Complete this form.
  • Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) will meet with the PI and complete the registration with MSDH.

  • Complete this form.
  • Laser Safety Officer (LSO) will inspect laser and lab once laser has been delivered.

Policies & procedures

Environmental Health & Safety Materials

  • Radiation Safety Program - Standard Operating Procedures 
  • MSDH Form 935- Notice to Employees 
  • Voluntary Declaration of Pregnancy 
  • Authorization for Release of Information
  • Authorization to Release Occupational Exposure History Form
  • Instrument Calibration Report

Radioactive Material Specific

​Radiation-Generating Device Specific

  • Guidelines on Radiation-Generating Devices Safety

Laser Specific

  • Laser Safety Manual - Under Revision
  • Engineering Control Measures for Lasers
  • Administrative and Procedural Laser Control Measures
  • Selected Laser Device Biological Effects
  • Examples of Biological Effects for Selected Wavelengths of Light

How to report concerns

Any concerns should be reported to the RSO (jsmurph3@olemiss.edu) and the RSC email rsc@olemiss.edu.

The RSC plans to implement an anonymous online reporting form in the near future.

Looking for more resources?

About the Radiation Safety Committee

The University of Mississippi’s Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), established in accordance with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (CFR Title 10: NUREG-1556) and the Division of Radiological Health in the Mississippi State Health Department (MSDH; Title 15, Part 21, Subpart 78) regulations, is responsible for overseeing radiation safety practices and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations at the University of Mississippi.

The activities requiring RSC approval are:

  • Radioactive materials
  • Radiation-generating devices (including x-rays, etc.)
  • Regulated lasers (class 3B and 4)

The RSC is responsible for establishing and maintaining a comprehensive radiation safety program at the University of Mississippi, in collaboration with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), Laser Safety Officer (LSO), and Executive Management. The RSC is also responsible for reviewing and approving applications for radioactive material permit holders, reviewing and approving laser registration permits, establishing training expectations for authorized users, performing periodic audits of the program, and establishing corrective actions when noncompliance is identified. The committee meets at least twice a year to review reports on the receipt and disposal of radioactive materials/radiation-generating devices, and to act on applications for authorization to use these sources.

RSC members are appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. RSC is composed of faculty, staff, and community members (including the Chair, RSO, and Executive Management) with expertise in radioactive materials, devices, or lasers and serve three-year terms.

Radiation Safety Committee contact information

Nicole Ashpole

Nicole Ashpole

  • Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Research Associate Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of Academic Affairs for Biomolecular Sciences
Mandy King

Mandy King

  • Assistant Vice Chancellor of Research Integrity, Security, and Compliance
Rob Murphy

Rob Murphy

  • Director Research Laboratory Safety
Cammi Thornton

Cammi Thornton

  • Research Compliance Specialist II