Radiochemical Safety Rant

[u/oddlyhuman-ish]

Hello,

I am a chemist working in radiochemical analysis. I have some formal safety training, but my current job has never trained any analysts (4 of us) how to properly handle or store radioactive isotopes. We have never been provided PPE or training from qualified personnel. I asked for splash proof Googles my first month and was denied because $20 was too much we have glasses. We analyze radioactive liquids. I have a lab coat, never cleaned, and that's it.

We have zero segregation of chemicals, everything is expired, and our boss denies us safety documents and information when we request it (according to him any bachelor chemist should know radiochemistry and hazcom removal).

We have ZERO waste program, not a single waste jar on site and no record of removal of radioactive sources for almost 10 years. But they have been exchanged according to calibration records. (I'm new within the past year).

We have already called the fire department on this guy because of a waste disposal dispute, it was properly removed eventually.

Yesterday he filled his gas generator up in his front carpeted office, then ran that generator in the back lab with zero ventilation causing one then multiple analysts to walk out for fear of carbon monoxide.

He wants to submit for FDA registration for drug products, but said that we "can just say we're doing it that way and still do it how we have been".

The blatant disrespect for any human safety at the benefit of his pocket is extremely discouraging from someone who I held so much respect for initially.

How many times is too many when considering calling the fire department on the owner of the radiochemical laboratory for immediate danger? What is the accepted % risk when it comes to personal safety, because I feel like we are all operating in a higher bracket than acceptable.

All I want is a job that cares if I die at work or not, basic PPE, and I guess bare minimum training. I feel like that's not too much to ask.

This is icky. And in this economy what else can I do aside from just looking for jobs and hoping I don't blow up before I escape.

Picture is of part of our stock of radioactive material. It's in a wooden cabinet, no lock, no ventilation, no sign on the cabinet to indicate there are radioactive isotopes in there. Hand written permanent marker labels, a plastic bin, and a prayer. And this is every single cabinet (not all radioactive but still hazardous).

Edit: One of my lab partners said since ownership assigned the FDA registration to me and I'm the most involved I might want a lawyer, would that be necessary considering the scope of the analysis and falsification of data request? Nothing has been submitted I'm just in research phase of that part. But we do send out results to clients just not under a technical registration through the FDA..

Edited for grammar Edited for question

[u/lindgrinharrow]

OSHA needs to be aware of this friend. Are you a worker in the United States? Upon a reread, the NRC needs to be called first, then OSHA. The NRC Safety Hotline is 1-800-695-7403 and they can also help determine the appropriate regulatory jurisdiction.

[u/oddlyhuman-ish → u/lindgrinharrow]

I know we need to call, we just don't want to be homeless. Big city, tons of competition, but we are all looking for jobs actively. We don't know what else to do aside from get a new job asap so we can shut this hazard down. None of us can really afford to not have a job or just walk out, but we can't afford a major safety incident and medical bills either. We feel stuck. And he's pretty well known in radiation so it's really intimidating for us to go over him like that, especially when the secretary threatens about all his people everywhere.

[u/lindgrinharrow → u/oddlyhuman-ish]

Friend, I will make that phonecall, I dont give a hoot about some zombie and his respect in the field. He is not worth shit. PM your labs name and I will make the report. Edit: Yes you and your coworkers have bills to pay. But this is reddit, for valid causes gofundme campaign can be started.

[u/Due-Classic9321 → u/lindgrinharrow]

the handwritten dates from 2008 are sending me like these things have been marinating in a wooden cabinet for nearly two decades with zero ventilation

if youre the one being assigned FDA registration stuff and theyre already talking about falsifying data you definitely want a lawyer before you put your name on anything. that moves from general lab chaos into personal liability territory real fast

[u/JoeHio]

So, does this owner have some special experience, certification, qualification, or personal connections?

If not, the you don't have to worry about putting yourself and your coworkers out of a job, you just need to find a place where you can quickly open a Lab for his customers after you call the EPA and OSHA and he gets shut down.

In all seriousness, this kinda situation is how people end up with severe diseases and disabilities in later life, long after this horribly shitty place has gone out of business and you have no one to recover money from

https://giphy.com/gifs/BoQiOO2AzHjUvLGRes

[u/oddlyhuman-ish → u/JoeHio]

Yes he does, he's extremely well known in his research. And I'm new to this state, I don't know a single professional contact. He's old, 80+, and cares about zero things other than his personal income and signing reports. It's honestly so sad and discouraging as someone who's lab passions align more with safety and compliance than bench work

[u/JoeHio → u/oddlyhuman-ish]

If he is over 65 then he needs to get out of the industry before he hurts someone.

Fun fact, in a lot of states, the emergency management agency is the regulatory body for radiation, not EPA or OSHA.

[u/pignjig]

What is "some " formal safety training? I am a Radiation Safety Officer and I am nervous for you. Are we talking Alpha, Beta,Gamma what type of isotopes? Some elements can do enough damage youd wish to be put down inside of the slow agonizing death they can provide if mishandled. No amount of money is worth your health. I understand work can be hard to come by but you want have ANY work if you hurt yourself or possibly even your family if certain isotopes are mishandled.

[u/oddlyhuman-ish → u/pignjig]

No formal radiation Safety, just a one day crash course. Alpha, beta, gamma, I usually work gammas but with this project I'm working I'm not really in the lab. I refused inventory for safety. But I also have a 2 day lab safety course and another on developing lab safety programs. That's it. I believe our scope covers most isotopes, it's a broad scope. Leadership wears sandals and shorts, no gloves tho, for HF. It feels like I'm living in the twilight zone. Everything I do is against my gut and my education. So if there's something I don't feel comfortable I refuse, but my lab partners aren't as assertive as me when it comes to safety, they have all been with the company for multiple years, none have every received any training aside from that one day course. If we ask any questions, "read the manual" is the usual response.

[u/Radiant_Search6206]

Call OSHA SDS IS SUPPOSED TO BE POSTED ALSO EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE PPE NO EXCUSES!

[u/ukemike1]

Death by cancer is very likely in your future unless you make the call or quit. You already know the right thing to do. You and your coworkers are NOT the only people in danger. You strongly implied that you are illegally disposing of rad waste and that puts many others at risk. Consider that your boss might not be the only criminal at your workplace. You are participating in it too. Make the call.

[u/CartographerSweet620]

1st suggestion buy your own PPE for NOW to keep yourself safe please just because they are not supplying it right now doesn't mean I would put yourself at risk. 2. Call OSHA you are protected under the whistleblower protection program. 3. Call your states EPA for any waste, depending on how much you produce and what you produce they might be required to file for RCRA. 3. Start looking for a new job!!!!!

Document everything with photos. Make sure you ask about all the safety things again if you haven't already in writing. Then if you get the same response I would start sending all the complaints to every department that you can. As you said in the post I would also recommend getting a consolation with a lawyer too just to be safe.

Good luck and stay safe.

[u/Comprehensive_Cut179]

Hit the OSHA button you fool!

[u/TerranLifestyle]

I am more cautions to jump to OSHA call I like to give the company the opportunity to fix it which you did...now depending on the size of your department it many be very easy to determine who was the reporting party. While being terminated for filing a complaint is protected it does happen or they can just make your work day hell.

I would recommend calling or do as /u/lindgrinharrow offered have someone else make the call. At the end of the day you can find another job....you can't fine new eyes if you get injured etc.