Department of Chemistry - Health and Safety Information

Radiation Safety

Ionising Radiation

Work with an unsealed radioactive material is permitted within the Department of Chemistry in its designated Supervised Radiation Facility, Radiochemistry Lab 288B. This laboratory is located within the Centre of Biological Chemistry, CBC.

Currently the only unsealed radioisotopes used within the Department are 32P and 35S. All work involving the use of either 32P or 35S MUST be carried out in Lab 288B, unless prior approval has been granted by the Departmental Lead RPS (Dr. Margaret Glendenning).

Lasers

The Department requires all lasers and users thereof to be registered. The Departmental Laser Safety Officer (LSO) is Prof. David Klenerman, <dk10012@cam.ac.uk>, phone ext. 36481. There is some local information about laser safety. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) have produced a list of frequently-asked questions (FAQ).

PDF and Word copies of laser registration forms, survey forms, risk assessment forms (with examples), a checklist for laser safety and the laser users' eye test form are available for download.


Please note that some of these forms are in the process of being updated, and will be available soon.

The Health & Safety Office webpages contain advice on:

The University has a number of policies and Codes of Practice governing both ionising and non-ionising radiation:

  • Safe Use of UV (PDF)
  • Transport and Movement of Radioactive Materials (PDF)
  • Safe Use of Lasers (PDF)
  • Management of Work with Ionising Radiations (PDF)
  • Working Safely with Unsealed Radioactive Sources (PDF)
  • Working Safely with Sealed Radioactive Sources & Radiation Generators (PDF)
  • Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Display Screen Equipment