This section provides general information on the USDA Safety and Health Program and specific information regarding the extent of the Radiation Safety Program.

This section contains the following information:

Topic

USDA Safety and Health Program

Purpose of this Handbook

Areas Controlled by the Radiation Safety Program

Areas Not Controlled by the Radiation Safety Program

Scope of Agency Radiation Safety Programs

USDA Safety and Health Program


The Office of Procurement and Property Management (OPPM), manages the USDA's Safety and Health Program.

The Office of Human Capital Management, has issued a safety and health manual that describes the overall responsibilities and authorities within the Department for various Federally mandated programs. These include:

- Occupational Safety and Health;

- Workers Compensation;

- Hazard Communication and Laboratory Chemical Hygiene; and

- Radiation Safety.

The Safety and Health Manual provides general information on the Department's commitment to furnish its employees with places and conditions of employment that are free from recognized hazards.

Additional information regarding this program can be obtained from the Director, SHMD. The address and telephone number are listed in Section 2.1: USDA Management Representative to the Radiation Safety Committee.

Purpose of this Handbook

The purpose of the Radiation Safety Handbook is to:

- Describe the Radiation Safety Program managed by the United States Department of Agriculture. This includes the organization developed to control the use of ionizing radiation within the Department and within the Agencies that utilize radiation sources;

- Provide guidance to USDA employees on the steps that must be taken to become permitted to use radiation sources for research or program requirements; and

- Provide specific guidance on the safe use of radiation sources. This reflects the mission of the Radiation Safety Program.

Areas Controlled by the Radiation Safety Program

The USDA Radiation Safety Program controls the use of radioactive materials licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, naturally occurring and accelerator produced radioactive materials, and electronic equipment that produces ionizing radiation.

Areas Not Controlled by the Radiation Safety Program

The USDA Radiation Safety Program does not control non-ionizing radiation sources such as lasers, microwave radiation, or ultrasound. Electronic equipment that produces non-ionizing electromagnetic fields is also excluded from the USDA ionizing radiation safety program.

Commercially available products containing radioactive materials that are purchased under a general license, such as static eliminators and certain types of smoke detectors, are also not controlled by the USDA radiation safety program.

Individuals who are concerned about the radiation sources listed above should contact their Agency's Occupational Safety and Health Manager.

Scope of Agency Radiation Safety Programs

There is a wide variation in the scope of radioactive materials and x-ray producing equipment use among the USDA Agencies currently utilizing radiation sources.

This Handbook covers all aspects of a comprehensive radiation safety program and some sections may not be applicable to every Agency.

For example, two Agencies only use analytical x-ray units and electron capture detectors, which are sealed radioactive sources that emit no external radiation.

One Agency only uses moisture/density gauges.

One Agency has users permitted for every type of device covered by the radiation safety program.

Agency management, safety personnel, and Permit Holders are encouraged to maintain the scope of their radiation safety program to the magnitude of the radiation hazard present within their Agency.