The current Agency member and alternate to the USDA Radiation Safety Committee can be found in Section 2.1.
Agency
Agricultural Marketing Service
Agricultural Research Service
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Forest Service
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Agricultural Marketing Service
- Radiation Safety Policy
It is the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) policy to comply with the requirements of Departmental Regulation 4400-5: Radiation Safety Program.
The AMS policy on radiation safety is found in its Directive 370.5, titled: "Procurement, Use, and Safety of Radioactive Materials and Radiation Emitting Equipment".
- Scope of Program Activities
The AMS Radiation Safety Program addresses one specific area.
Analytical laboratories of the Science and Technology Division use gas chromatographs containing electron capture detectors for some of their procedures.
- Headquarters Radiation Safety Organization
The responsibility for the radiation safety program within AMS has been delegated to the Science and Technology Division. The Agency Administrator nominates individuals for membership on the USDA Radiation Safety Committee.
- Regional Organization
No specific regional organization has been developed for AMS due to the limited scope of their program.
Location Radiation Protection Officers
(LRPOs) have been appointed for each laboratory that possesses radioactive
materials. These LRPOs report directly to the Laboratory Director.
Agricultural Research Service
- Radiation Safety Policy
The Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) policy is found in its Directive 124.1 titled: Radiation Safety Program. This states:
"It is ARS policy to protect its employees, visitors, and the environment in and around ARS facilities from the potential hazards and risks to health from exposure to ionizing radiation. It is the policy of ARS to maintain an ARS Radiation Safety Program that ensures that ARS is in compliance with all applicable Federal, State and local regulations governing the acquisition, use, and disposition of radioactive materials and radiation emitting devices."
- Scope of Program Activities
The Agricultural Research Service is the largest user of unsealed radioactive materials within the US Department of Agriculture.
Radioisotopes are used as tracers for plant and animal genetic research, in metabolic studies and molecular research. Sealed sources are used in self shielded irradiators to produce sterile insects for agricultural studies and to perform basic research in sterilization of agricultural products.
- Headquarters Organization
Headquarters operations of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are divided into two general areas:
Administrative and Financial Management (AFM), and
National Program Staff (NPS).
- Field Organization
ARS locations are divided among eight geographic areas within the United States, with each Area having a Director, Administrative Officer, and Area Safety and Health Manager.
At each facility where either radioactive materials or x-ray producing equipment is used, a Location Radiation Protection Officer (LRPO) has been appointed to coordinate the facility's radiation safety program and to serve as a point of contact to the USDA Radiation Safety Staff.
Members to the USDA Radiation Safety Committee are generally selected from all areas of the ARS organization.
- Employee Responsibility
Employees who use radioactive materials
or x-ray producing equipment are responsible for using the materials or
equipment in accordance with Departmental and Agency guidelines, and in
accordance with applicable safety and health standards.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- Radiation Safety Policy
It is the policy of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to comply with the requirements of Department Regulation 4400-5: Radiation Safety Program.
The APHIS policy on radiation safety can be found in Chapter 10, Section 7 of the APHIS Safety and Health Manual.
- Scope of Program Activities
APHIS uses radioactive materials as part of its sterile insect release program to control screwworm, fruit fly, and pink bollworm infestations.
APHIS uses x-ray machines to inspect baggage at airports throughout the country to monitor for contraband fruits and vegetables and uses electron capture detectors in its analytical laboratories.
- Headquarters Organization
Responsibility for the radiation safety program has been delegated to the Management Services Division, Safety, Health, and Environmental Section (SHES).
Representation on the RSC is rotated on a biennial basis between the Safety, Health, and Environmental Staff, and agency programs which utilize radioactive materials or x-ray producing equipment such as Plant Protection and Quarantine, Veterinary Services, and Animal Damage Control.
- Regional Organization
Center Directors, Rearing Facility Directors, and Laboratory Directors are responsible for ensuring facility compliance with the Departmental Regulation and for appointing a Location Radiation Protection Officer to serve as a liaison between the facility and the Department's Radiation Safety Staff.
- Employee Responsibility
Employees who use radioactive materials
or x-ray producing equipment are responsible for using the materials or
equipment in accordance with Departmental and Agency guidelines, and in
accordance with applicable safety and health standards.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
- Radiation Safety Policy
It is Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) policy to comply with the requirements of Departmental Regulation 4400-5: Radiation Safety Program.
The FSIS policy on radiation safety is found in its Directive titled: "Radiation Safety Program".
- Scope of Program Activities
The FSIS Radiation Safety Program addresses the analytical laboratories using x-ray machines and gas chromatographs containing electron capture detectors for some of their procedures.
- Headquarters Radiation Safety Organization
The Deputy Administrator for Administrative Management has the responsibility to nominate qualified individuals to serve as the Agency's representative to the USDA Radiation Safety Committee and to support the Department's Radiation Safety Program.
- Regional Organization
No specific regional organization has been developed for FSIS due to the limited scope of their program.
The Deputy Administrator for Technical
Support, Laboratory Directors, Location Radiation Protection Officers,
and FSIS Employees have specific roles in protecting themselves, the public
and the environment from potential radiation hazards.
- Radiation Safety Policy
Guidance on radiation safety is found in Chapter 6741 of the Forest Service's Safety and Health Program Manual.
The policy of the Forest Service is to:
Comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations governing the use, storage, and transportation of radioactive materials, equipment, and devices that emit ionizing radiation; and
Protect employees, general public, visitors, and the environment from the risk of hazards which could result from the use, storage, and transportation of such radioactive materials, equipment, and devices under the control of the Forest Service.
- Scope of Program Activities
The Forest Service has two primary programs.
The National Forest System uses nuclear gauges to verify the proper construction and maintenance of temporary roads.
Forest Service research units use unsealed radioactive materials, sealed sources, electron capture detectors, and x-ray equipment in their research programs.
- Headquarters Organization
Responsibility for the radiation safety program is delegated to the Forest Service's National Safety and Health Program, Washington Office.
The Agency's National Radiation Protection Officer is a member of the FS, Safety and Health Branch, who also serves as the Agency's representative to the USDA Radiation Safety Committee.
The Forest Service has a Radiation Technical Advisor to assist the Radiation Protection Officer on technical issues and regulatory interpretations.
- Regional Organization
The Forest Service maintains nine regions within the National Forest System. A Radiation Protection Coordinator has been appointed at each Regional Headquarters to coordinate the radiation protection activities in their region.
Location Radiation Protection Officers (LRPOs) have been appointed at each forest where radioactive materials or x-ray producing equipment is used.
- Research Organization
The Forest Service also maintains eight
Research Stations with a Radiation Protection Coordinator at each Station
Headquarters, and an LRPO at the respective laboratories.
- Radiation Safety Policy
It is Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) policy to comply with the requirements of Departmental Regulation 4400-5: Radiation Safety Program.
The GIPSA policy on radiation safety is found in its Directive titled "Radioactive Material Program".
- Scope of Program Activities
The GIPSA Radiation Safety Program addresses the analytical laboratories using gas chromatographs containing electron capture detectors.
- Headquarters Radiation Safety Organization
The responsibility for the radiation safety program within GIPSA has been delegated to the Agency's Safety and Occupational Health Manager. This individual also serves as the Agency's representative on the USDA Radiation Safety Committee.
- Regional Organization
No specific regional organization has been developed for GIPSA due to the limited scope of their program.
Division Directors at the Testing Laboratories
and at the Research Laboratories provide general oversight of the radiation
safety program at their facility.
- Radiation Safety Policy
It is the policy of NRCS that:
All NRCS employees are protected against the accidental exposure to radiation from radiation emanating equipment;
Appropriate action be taken in the event of an incident involving a nuclear gauge; and
All NRCS employees who use nuclear gauges receive appropriate training in the use and transportation of the equipment.
- Scope of Program Activities
The NRCS uses nuclear moisture / density gauges to verify the adequacy of storm water management impoundments.
- Headquarters Organization
Within the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Safety and Occupational Health Manager has been assigned primary responsibility for the radiation protection program. This individual is the Agency's representative to the USDA Radiation Safety Committee.
- Regional Organization
State Radiation Protection Officers are appointed at each State Office where facilities within the State maintain nuclear gauges. The State LRPOs coordinate the radiation protection program for the nuclear gauge users within their State.