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Moving

  1. Designate one individual to be in charge of radiation safety issues for your lab during the moving process.
     
  2. Once you know your move date, contact our office at 412-624-2728 two weeks prior to the actual physical move. 
     
  3. Suspend use of radioactive materials at least three (3) days before the physical move. Your lab(s) will be “final” surveyed by RSO personnel. All equipment labeled with a Caution Radioactive Materials sticker, (centrifuges, refrigerators, etc), will be smear checked for contamination. 
     
  4. Lab personnel are responsible for the transfer of all radioactive waste to the waste storage area.
     
  5. The Authorized User is responsible for the cleanup of any contamination in the vacated laboratory.


​Moves Within the University Complex

  • Refrigerators must be unpacked before moving. Freezers with nonradioactive contents may be moved intact; however, all material must be secured or overpacked to prevent breakage or leakage.
  • Small items with radioactive materials labels may be moved by lab personnel. Care should be taken to assure that contamination is not spread during the move. Large items requiring the services of non-lab personnel (professional movers, service technicians, in-house movers) MAY NOT BE MOVED UNTIL the survey is complete, the item is free of contamination, and either labels are removed or an "Approved for Move" sticker has been applied by the RSO.
  • Scintillation and Gamma counters need to be prepared for shipment by service technicians.
  • Radioactive material (isotopes, experiment solutions, etc.) must be hand-carried to the new lab. Transportation by vehicle requires U.S. DOT packaging and labeling. Material should be properly overpacked or contained to prevent a spill if dropped.
  • New labs require door labels, fume hood checks, and baseline surveys prior to the initiation of radioactive materials work.

Moves Leaving the University Complex

  • All items labeled with a Caution Radioactive Materials label must be surveyed by RSO personnel. Once the survey determines that the item is free of contamination, the radiation labels will be removed. The items may then be packed for shipment.
  • Refrigerators and freezers must be emptied before moving. 
  • Transfer of radioactive material to the new location must be done by the Radiation Safety Office. Pennsylvania DEP regulations require verification of a license to possess materials, and DOT regulations specify how material may be packaged. Material will be shipped overnight express. Costs associated with the transfer are the responsibility of the authorized user.

Decertification of Radiation Laboratory or Equipment

  1. Designate one individual to be in charge of radiation safety issues for your lab during the decertification process.
     
  2. Contact our office at 412-624-2728.
     
  3. Suspend use of radioactive materials. Your lab(s) or equipment will be “final” surveyed by RSO personnel. All equipment labeled with a Caution Radioactive Materials sticker, (centrifuges, refrigerators, etc), will be smear checked for contamination. Any equipment used with biohazardous agents must be decontaminated by laboratory personnel prior to RSO final survey. 
     
  4. If the equipment contains any radioactive sources (e.g. liquid scintillation counters, gas chromatographs), the sources must be removed by authorized personnel. Contact RSO for information.  
     
  5. Lab personnel are responsible for the transfer of all radioactive waste to the waste storage area.
     
  6. The Authorized User is responsible for the cleanup of any contamination in the vacated laboratory.

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