While we recognize that radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices are important to scientific research, UMKC is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our researchers and their staff.
UMKC's Radiation Safety Committee, or RSC, is responsible for developing those policies that ensure compliance with the applicable federal, state, and university regulations. That includes more constraining conditions appearing in the university's U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license.
The RSC is required by NRC regulations and license conditions to maintain oversight of operations involving radioactive materials and to perform an annual audit of the radiation safety program at UMKC.
State regulations require that radiation-producing devices be registered with the State of Missouri and that registered devices are operated in accordance with state radiation safety regulations.
The UMKC radiation safety program, as overseen by the RSC, provides an integrated approach to hazard control and efficient use of University resources.
The RSC advises the chancellor, the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and UMKC'sDepartment of Environmental Health and Safety on matters impacting the safe use of radiation hazards at UMKC.
The RSC meets quarterly. Members are appointed by the Chancellor for three year terms and represent members of the university community with vested interests in the appropriate use of radiation sources in research, development, student instruction, and instrument calibration.
Matters of concern may be brought to the committee through contacting the RSO, the chair of the RSC or the RSC Compliance Officer by mail or email.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent federal regulatory agency. It is responsible for ensuring that workers and the public do not encounter unnecessary or excessive radiation exposure in the workplace. The NRC establishes regulations describing safety requirements for possession, use, storage and disposal of radioactive materials. The agency issues licenses under these regulations to users of radioactive materials. It then inspects the license holders to be certain they are operating in a safe and secure manner. If a license holder violates safety requirements, it can be fined or have its license modified, suspended or revoked.