12/15/97
ATHENS, Ohio -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission found no violations in a recent review of Ohio University's radiation safety program, giving the agency the option of reducing the frequency of its inspections at the university.
NRC radiation specialist Michael LaFranzo, who conducted the surprise inspection in late November, said neither the most recent check nor one in 1995 turned up infractions. That means the agency may extend the length of time between inspections from three years to five years.
The university holds an NRC broad license, which authorizes it to license users of radioactive materials through a Radiation Safety Committee. The committee, made up of faculty and staff, monitors the university's compliance with NRC regulations. Radioactive isotopes are used in a variety of experiments and tests conducted by university researchers.
"Ohio University does have a good enforcement history," LaFranzo said. "The program there is very stable. You don't have a lot of staff turnover." Stable staffing within radiation safety programs generally helps limit violations, he said.
Jimmy Matthews, the university's director of environmental health and safety, said the inspection covered record keeping, radiation laboratories, instrument calibration, waste storage and disposal, security, safety procedures and other aspects of the radiation safety program. Radiation-producing equipment such as X-ray machines are regulated by the Ohio Department of Health.
"We're probably one of the very few universities licensed in the state of Ohio that has never been in trouble with the NRC," Matthews said.
Vice President for Administration Gary North attributes the university's good record to a strong commitment by the Radiation Safety Committee and the environmental health and safety staff.
"It's a good partnership, one that's worked well for us and certainly has protected people in the university," North said.