IRB Application Instructions: Radiation Safety

Use of Radioactive Materials (Radiation Safety)

Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) Process:

With regard to radiation safety matters, the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), appointed by the President, is responsible for establishing University policies governing the procurement, use, storage and disposal of radioactive material and radiation producing devices in accordance with requirements set forth by State and Federal regulatory agencies. The University of Kentucky's Radiation Safety Committee authorizes individuals to use radioactive material. If your research involves procurement and use of new radioactive materials, you must submit an application for this to the RSC, or be previously authorized to use radioactive materials by the RSC. It is your responsibility to obtain approval from the RSC. The RSC review is outside of IRB purview. For more information, visit the Radiation Safety web page.

If you are proposing research which falls under the purview of the RSC, check the applicable box under the Other Review Committees section of your E-IRB application. The use of radioactive investigational drugs or devices requires active involvement by an Authorized User approved by the UK RSC who must be listed on the protocol as a co-investigator in addition to all other requirements.

Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Process:

ORI staff may, on behalf of the IRB, consult with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) regarding use of existing radioactive materials/devices (x-ray, PET, etc.) for research purposes. The primary focus of this consult would be to review radiation safety statements in the study Consent Form(s) but additional radiation safety issues may be discussed. You do not have to do anything to initiate this consultation.