Radiation Safety

rad

The University of Toronto Radiation Safety Program oversees the safe use and possession of radioactive materials across all three U of T campuses according to the regulations set by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) under the authority of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA). The program is implemented and enforced by the Institutional Radiation Protection Committee (ICRP) through the EHS Radiation Protection Service (RPS) team.

Program Resources:

Internal Permit System

An EHS radioactive materials permit is required for purchasing, possessing and using radioactive materials at the University of Toronto. General information related to applying for a permit can be found below. Please contact the Radiation Safety Officer or your Health & Safety Officer for any inquiries or assistance related radioactive materials permits.

Radioactive Materials and Devices Permits

  1. Permit Application Form and Guidelines Radiation

Irradiator Permits

  1. Irradiator Permit Application Form and Guidelines
  2. Obtaining Irradiator Access

Industrial Radiography Permits

(Includes x-ray scanning, industrial radiography, etc.)

  1. Industrial Radiography Safety Program
  2. Industrial Radiography Permit Application
  3. Industrial Radiography Exposure Calculator

EHS Database

You can access the EHS Online Database (ELMER) to record radioisotope usage, contamination monitoring, radioactive waste disposal and more. 

  1. Receiving Radioactive Material (PPTX)
  2. Entering Data in Your Inventory Records (PPTX)
  3. Contamination Survey (PPTX)

Note: VPN connection required to access database

Forms

  1. Contamination Survey (PDF)
  2. Designation of Nuclear Energy Workers (NEW)
  3. Laboratory Work Specific Training (PDF)
  4. Purchase Request Form (PDF)
  5. Dosimeter Application Form (PDF)
  6. Transfer of Radioactive Material Off-Campus Form (PDF)

Procedures

  1. Maintenance and Repairs of Fume Hood Exhaust System
  2. Purchasing Radioactive Material
  3. Radiation Emergency Procedures
  4. Radioactive Waste Disposal

Radiation Safety Training

EHS offers many radiation safety training courses depending on the type and application of the radioactive material(s). For more information on our training courses please refer to the links below or contact your HSO for assistance:

  1. Course List and Radiation Safety Training Requirements
  2. My EHS Training
  3. Laboratory Personnel Training Matrix

A more in-depth presentation of the radiation safety theory can be found in the Radiation Safety Training Manual.

Decommissioning

  1. Laboratory Decommissioning 
    1. Decommissioning a Radioisotope Laboratory
  1. Equipment Decommissioning/Decontamination
    1. Equipment Decontamination Procedure
    2. Procedure for Equipment Radiation Monitoring
    3. Equipment Radiation Monitoring Contamination Criteria

Calculators 

Disclaimer: calculators are intended to help you in your work and consultation with RPS. In no case should their use substitute the knowledge of the regulations and/or conditions under which their application is correct. 

  1. EQ, ALI, Basic, Intermediate and High level labs limits per container and accident notification
  2. Decay calculator
  3. Conversion of cpm to Bq/cm2
  4. Dose calculations for spills and skin contaminations
  5. Dose calculations for ingestion and inhalation
  6. Gamma radiation shielding calculations
  7. Packaging and Transport of Radioactive Substances
  8. Exposure in Industrial Radiography

Useful Radiation Links

  1. Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
  2. Understanding Radiation (CNSC fact sheet) (PDF)
  3. Canadian Radiation Protection Association
  4. National Dose Registry – Health Canada 
  5. Understanding Radiation in Your Life, Your World  
  6. Radiation Dose Chart

Updated: February 2025