Radiation/Laser Safety & Ethyl Alcohol

Radiation/Laser Safety & Ethyl Alcohol

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Ensuring safe use of radiation, lasers & ethyl alcohol

The University of South Florida (USF) is committed to the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) concept for working with ionizing radiation. USF maintains a radiation safety program with the objective of maintaining all exposures to ionizing radiation ALARA. USF also has an approved Industrial Alcohol Permit from the U.S. Tobacco Trade Bureau [TTB], (formerly known as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms), to purchase alcohol, free of the Federal Alcohol Tax.

Contact Staff

Radiation Safety

The goal of the Radiation Safety Office is to keep radiation exposure to university personnel, members of the public, and the environment As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and in compliance with state and federal regulations. The ALARA concept dictates that we implement safety measures that are commensurate with the level of risk presented by the radiation hazard. This risk may be minimized by education and the application of appropriate radiological controls.

The USF Ionizing Radiation Safety Office provides administrative, educational training and hands-on support to the USF researcher utilizing radioactive materials or equipment that produces ionizing radiation. All research and teaching activities performed by USF or affiliated faculty, staff, or students utilizing radioactive materials or equipment must be approved prior to initiation of such activities and must be performed in accordance with the Ionizing Radiation Safety Program procedures as specified in the Radiation Safety User Manual.

Safety Manuals

Education & Training

Forms

Laser Safety

The purpose of the USF Laser Safety Program is to ensure the safe use of lasers in the University of South Florida (USF) research by identifying hazards, providing recommendations for proper use, and for laser safety training for individuals using lasers. Lasers used at USF are capable of causing eye injury to anyone who looks directly into the beam or its reflections from a specular (mirror-like) surface. High-power laser beams can burn exposed skin, ignite flammable materials, and heat materials that release hazardous fumes and gases. All laser users must understand hazards and ways to minimize them.

The USF Laser Safety Program applies to individuals who operate or work in proximity to Class 3B or Class 4 lasers at USF. For more information, please look at our USF Laser Safety Manual (PDF) which will provide additional information. You can also view the Basic Laser Safety Training presentation (PDF) and the Laser Quiz (PDF).

Download Manual
View Presentation
Take Laser Quiz

tax-free Ethyl Alcohol

Researchers who obtain tax-free ethanol from the USF Radiation Safety Office MUST agree to comply with the following requirements:

  • Tax-free ethanol will be used for legitimate research, scientific, medicinal, or mechanical purposes only (ethanol will not be used for beverages, food products or human consumption).

  • Tax-free ethanol containers must be secure inside a locked, flammable-rated storage cabinet at all times when not in use.

  • You are not allowed to re-sell tax-free alcohol, use tax-free alcohol in the manufacture of any product for sale, or sell any products resulting from the use of tax-free alcohol.

  • You may not remove tax-free alcohol from any USF or affiliate premises.

  • You must maintain tax-free alcohol use records.

  • Use records and storage areas are subject to inspection at any time by representatives of the USF Radiation Safety Program staff and/or agents of the TTB.

Note: If there are any questions regarding the researcher responsibilities or the Federal regulations or any questions regarding ordering tax-free alcohol, please call Adam Weaver at 813-974-1194.

Ordering Process

Please note that only USF and affiliated researchers located on the USF Tampa or St. Petersburg regional institutions are allowed to order tax-free alcohol from the USF Radiation Safety Program.

Download Order Form

Provide all of the following information:

  • Complete department account information:
      • USF researchers must provide FAST chart fields
      • USF affiliated researchers must provide a Purchase Order number
    • Bill-to address
    • Complete delivery address (Building, room number, and contact phone number)

  • Save the completed form to your computer

  • When the order form is completed, email it to RSCH-ALCOH@usf.edu

Note: The USF price of tax-free alcohol is based on our costs for purchasing and delivering alcohol to research labs. The price of ethyl alcohol from an approved vendor frequently changes.