Cs-137 Irradiator Access

Last Revised: May 17, 2023

 

Federal and State regulations require that all persons with unaccompanied access to irradiators must be background checked in order to determine whether they are trustworthy and reliable. This process includes fingerprinting and an FBI criminal history check. The NRC regulations (10CFR Part 37) can be found HERE.

Each employee or student needing to use an irradiator must complete an application and receive approval from Environmental Health and Radiation Safety prior to irradiator use.

In order to be granted access to the irradiator, you will need to complete the following steps in the order listed:

  1. Print and complete the Irradiator Access Supervisor Approval form. You will need to bring this signed form signed by your supervisor to EHRS when completing step 3.

  2. Complete and submit the online Irradiator Access Request Form. Do not submit any PDFs or previous versions of this form.

  3. Fingerprint and verification of true identity at Penn Police. These sessions are held for individuals by appointment only. Please email Megan Harkins to make an appointment. *IMPORTANT: do not provide your social security number in any other form until this time.

    1. You will need to come to the Penn Police Station at 4040 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. You will need a form of government ID and your Penn ID.  You will also need to bring your signed copy of the “Irradiator Access Supervisor Approval form”.

  4. Security training. This will be provided as a virtual class once a month. Please call or email Megan Harkins (215-341-1447) to set up an appointment. 

  5. Online Irradiator training. When you click on "Enter Training" you will be directed to a list of modules. Choose "irradiator training" in Section 5. You will be asked for contact info and a PI. Please select the PI for the requested irradiator, not your supervisor.

  6. In person hands on training. We will provide you with further instructions when you meet with EHRS.

Expand All Items

Additional Application Instructions for Step 2

  • The more information you can provide on your Irradiator Request Form, the faster it is for the company (Certiphi) that performs the check, to verify the information.

  • Phone numbers or contact information of people who can verify employment/education (such as HR departments or bursar's offices) significantly speeds up the process.

  • Regulations require that all employment must be checked for 7 years prior to the date of the application or until the applicants eighteenth birthday.

  • Certiphi uses translators so references do not have to be English speakers.

  • Many educational establishments outside of the USA require a copy of any diplomas before they can verify education. If you provide this in the beginning, it will speed up the process.

More In Irradiator