USGS Radiation Safety Advisory Board
I. Purpose/Scope. The purpose of the USGS Radiation Safety Advisory Board (RSAB) is to provide oversight, recommend policy, and provide guidance to protect USGS employees, volunteers, and members of the public from the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. The RSAB determines collective actions to achieve radiation safety program objectives and goals aligned with the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the USGS Occupational Safety and Health Strategic Plan. The scope of the RSAB is bureau-wide and operates in cooperation with the Bureau Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Environmental Management (EM) Councils; Bureau Specialized Program Committees; and Regional Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental (OSHE) Committees. The Bureau OSHE Program Manager will provide administrative support to the committee and coordinate with the Chairperson, as appropriate.
II. Authority.
A. 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1960 – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for occupational safety and health.
B. 10 CFR Part 0-199 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
C. ANSI Z136.1-2000 Safe Use of Lasers.
D. ANSI C95.1-1982 Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields.
E. October 1, 2001 Charter, as approved by the USGS Designated Agency Safety
and Health Official (DASHO).
III. Membership.
A. The RSAB will consist of at least the following members:
(1) Bureau Radiation Safety Advisory Board Manager.
(2) Bureau OSHE Program Manager or designee.
(3) Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - designated Radiation Safety Officers from USGS sites possessing NRC licenses.
(4) The Bureau Nuclear Reactor Manager.
(5) Regional Safety Managers.
B. Designated representatives are authorized to speak for their respective radiation safety programs and make decisions/commitments on recommendations.
IV. Responsibilities.
A. Distributes guidance and findings through the Safety and Environmental Management Branch (SEMB) in the Headquarters Office of Management Services (OMS), Office of Administrative Policy and Services and through internal channels of communication by line management.
B. Reviews and evaluates NRC, DOI, and USGS regulations for effect on USGS radiological operations.
C. Participates in DOI and USGS program planning for ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
D. Assists in the identification of qualified instructors for training of radiation workers or principal operators in the case of non-ionizing radiation.
E. Assists licensees in decommissioning facilities and sites where licensed radioactive materials were used.
F. Assists licensees in maintaining or restoring compliance with NRC rules and regulations.
G. Assists licensees in addressing regulatory findings of compliance.
H. Identifies and addresses issues in the ionizing radiation safety programs of the USGS.
I. Evaluates and recommends safety equipment for USGS radiation workers.
J. Investigates accidents involving ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
K. Details of RSAB responsibilities are found in USGS 445-2-H, Occupational Safety and Health Program Requirements Handbook, Chapter 30.
V. Meetings and Reports. The RSAB will establish meeting dates and develop reports needed to conduct business and evaluate the overall performance and accomplishments of committee decisions. The RSAB will meet no less than twice a year. Agendas and minutes will be published and distributed to all committee members and Bureau and Regional Safety Managers. The Chairperson will ensure that minutes are retained for a minimum of two years from the date of the meeting. The RSAB will report annually the status of the previous fiscal year program accomplishments and upcoming fiscal year program plans to the Bureau Executive Leadership Team (ELT) through the Bureau DASHO.
VI. Voting. The act of the majority of members will be the act of the RSAB.
VII. Salary, Travel, and Incidental Costs. RSAB members' costs are borne by each participant's local or regional organization. Costs of Bureau-level members are borne by the SEMB. Extraordinary expenses must be pre-approved by the appropriate authority and covered by a written agreement.
Approved:
signed_________________________________
Carol F. Aten
Chief, Office of Administrative Policy and Services
Designated Agency Safety and Health Official