Radiation safety

The University of Manitoba Radiation Safety Program was developed in consultation with the Radiation Protection Committee.

The Radiation Safety Program consists of three parts:

  • Radioisotopes/Radioactive Materials
  • Radiation Emitting Devices (X-rays)
  • Laser Safety
Demonstration space for safe work with radioisotopes

Radioisotopes/Radioactive materials

Before handling radioisotopes at the University of Manitoba, workers must complete Radiation Safety Training to be added as a designated worker to an Internal Radioisotope Permit.

The Radiation Protection Committee issues and Internal Radioisotope Permit to control all procurement, use, storage, transfer and disposal off all radioactive materials in all areas under the control of the University. To apply for a permit, please fill out the applicable form and follow submission instructions:

Radiation Emitting Devices (X-rays)

A Radiation Emitting Device (X-ray) is an operable device emitting electromagnetic radiation of a wave-length shorter than 0.25 nanometres.

All X-ray equipment in Manitoba must be registered with Radiation Protection Services and CancerCare Manitoba before it can be used. To register X-ray equipment, please complete the Department of Health: Registration of X-Ray Equipment form (PDF). X-ray equipment at the University of Manitoba is regulated depending on what the equipment is used for.

Clinical X-ray equipment

Any device that is used on human subjects to provide medical or dental care. Clinical X-ray equipment does not require an Internal X-ray permit.

Internal X-ray equipment

Any device which is used for research purposes at locations controlled by the University of Manitoba requires an Internal X-ray permit. To apply for an Internal X-ray permit, please fill out an Internal X-ray permit application (PDF) and the Personnel Registration and Consent Form – X-ray (PDF)

Once a permit is issued, every person identified in the permit application must wear a dosimeter when operating X-ray equipment. To register for a dosimeter, please fill out the Dosimeter Sign-Up Form (PDF).

To cancel an internal X-ray permit, please fill out an X-ray Permit Decommissioning Form (PDF).

X-Ray Area/Room Warning sign

An ‘X-Ray Area/Room warning sign’ and a Workplace Hazardous Information Placard must be placed in the entrance to any room where X-ray equipment is being used. To get your individualized ‘X-Ray Area/Room Warning’ sign, complete the following steps:

Once the information is received, EHS will provide and place a laminated, colour printout of your submitted template on each door/entrance to the X-ray room. 

X-ray safety resources

In Manitoba, owners and operators of X-ray equipment are bound by a number of codes and regulations:

Acts and Regulations

Laser safety

Lasers are used throughout the University community in research and teaching. Since the use of this technology constitutes a potential hazard to health, the possession and use of lasers are governed in the workplace by Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health.

Effective February 1, 2007, the University of Manitoba has a duty to inform anyone that may be exposed to radiation from lasers at the University of the potential hazards of exposure.

Additionally, lasers must be installed, used and maintained in accordance with the American National Standard for the safe use of Lasers (Section 16.28). High-powered lasers (Class 3B or Class 4) may be hazardous under direct or reflected viewing and may cause eye injury, skin damage or fire risk.

Environmental Health and Safety maintains a resource of all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers in areas under the control of the University.

Laser Area/Room warning sign

A ‘Laser Area/Room warning sign’ and a Workplace Hazardous Information Placard must be placed in the entrance to a laser room where a Class 3B or Class 4 laser is being used. To get your individualized ‘Laser Warning’ sign, complete the following steps:

  • Fill in the details for your laser in the Class 3B template (DOC) or Class 4 template (DOC)
  • Email the form to EHS with the location and number of doors/entrances to the laser room. Once the information is received, EHS will provide and place a red-framed, colour printout of your submitted template on each door/entrance to the laser room.

Laser safety resources

Radiation safety training

Radiation Safety Training is required for any person working with or around radiation hazards. The type of training required depends on whether you work directly with the hazard, work in the vicinity or are supervised by someone from the lab.

Radiation training for ancillary workers

Ancillary staff or students that work in labs when staff are not present (e.g., caretakers, Physical Plant staff, IT staff and Security Services staff) require radiation awareness training.

Ancillary staff and students can complete radiation training by:

  1. Completing Lab Safety for Non-Lab Workers training
    1. Self-register for this online course in UM Learn.
  2. Reading the following radiation safety materials:
    1. Radioactive Materials Safety Pamphlet for Non-Permitted Workers (PDF)
    2. X-ray Equipment Safety Pamphlet (PDF)
    3. Laser Safety Pamphlet (PDF)

Staff and students working with radiation hazards in labs

There are two types of training for staff or students working with radioisotopes or radioactive materials:

  • Sealed Source Radiation Safety Orientation
  • Open Source Radiation Safety Orientation

Sealed source radiation safety orientation

To register for the sealed source radiation safety orientation, please fill out the Internal Radioscope Permit – Sealed Source form (PDF) and have it signed by your future permit holder.

You must also submit the Sealed Source Orientation Self Study Assignment (PDF) and the Sealed Source Orientation Lab Assignment (PDF) to Radiation Safety prior to being added as a ‘designated worker’ on a sealed source Internal Radioscope Permit.

Please read the following documents before completing the Sealed Source Self Study Assignment. These documents cover all the information you need to know to answer the written assignment.

Your completed Internal Radioscope Permit – Sealed Source form, Self Study and Lab Assignments must be mailed to:

Radiation Safety
Environmental Health and Safety
P310 Pathology Building
770 Bannaytne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada

You may submit electronic copies of these documents to radsafety@umanitoba.ca, however you must follow up with hard copies.

Please contact Radiation Safety at radsafety@umanitoba.ca or 204-789-3654 if you have any questions or require assistance.

Open source radiation safety orientation

To register for the open source radiation safety orientation, please fill out the Radiation Safety Workshop – Open Source form (PDF) and have it signed by your future permit holder.

You must also submit the Open Source Self Study Assignment (PDF) and the Open Source Lab Assignment to Radiation Safety (PDF) prior to being added as a ‘designated worker’ on an open source Internal Radioscope Permit.

Please read the following documents before completing the Open Source Self Study Assignment. These documents cover all the information you need to know to answer the written assignment.

Your completed internal Radiation Safety Workshop – Open Source form, Self Study and Lab Assignments can be scanned and emailed to radsafety@umanitoba.ca

You may also scan and fax these forms to 204-789-3906 or mail them to:

Radiation Safety
Environmental Health and Safety
P310 Pathology Building

Please contact Radiation Safety at radsafety@umanitoba.ca or 204-789-3654 if you have any questions or require assistance.

Radioactive waste disposal

Environmental Health and Safety has put together a variety of resources for information on radioactive waste disposal.

For both campuses, the Radioactive Waste Calendar schedules are temporarily suspended until further notice.  If you need radioactive waste pick up, complete the Radioactive Waste Removal Form and send it to radsafety@umanitoba.ca.

Special permission may be required before starting procedures that combine radioactive and biohazardous materials. Please consult the Radiation Safety Manual (RSP-3, Section 12), the Approved Waste Disposal Section of the Internal Radioisotope Permit or EHS staff for guidance.

Disposal of X-ray equipment

EHS, Radiation Protection and Cancer Care Manitoba MUST be informed to keep inventories up to date. Before you dispose or transfer/sell any type of X-ray equipment read this and complete a Decommissioning of Laboratory Equipment Form (PDF).

When disposing of equipment the procedures outlined by Capital Asset Management must also be adhered to. These can be found under Disposal of equipment and assets page within the Capital projects and asset management UM Intranet site.

Contact us

Radiation Safety Officer

William Grierson
william.grierson@umanitoba.ca
(204) 789-3613 Office

Radiation Safety
P310 Pathology Building
770 Bannaytne Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada

radsafety@umanitoba.ca
204-789-3613
204-789-3906