Re: laboratory surveys and inspections

[amattox@mbl.edu (Andy Mattox)]

>The University of Rochester Radiation Safety Office is currently performing
>monthly surveys of all posted laboratories.  I am trying to turn the
>majority of this responsibility over to the researchers so that we can
>start performing less frequent but more thorough inspections.

IMHO you're heading in the wrong direction. I feel strongly that all
required surveys other than daily work area checks should be done by RSO
personnel.

Placing burden back on researchers reduces the level of service provided by
your office (and the perception that you are a service provider as well as
a regulator).

You will also find that it will take almost as much effort to ensure that
researchers are conducting surveys in a timely manner as it would to
conduct them yourself.

Since your survey frequency is defined in your license, you increase
potential for problems during inspections.

You reduce the frequency of visits by your personnel and your visibility.
Our visits frequently trigger questions from lab personnel which they
otherwise wouldn't raise and informal discussions with a strong educational
component.

amattox@mbl.edu

Andrew Mattox, CSP
Environmental Health and Safety Manager
Marine Biological Laboratory
7 MBL street
Woods Hole, Ma 02543
amattox@mbl.edu
508-289-7424


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