Industrial Radiography

Industrial radiography is used by external contractors during renovation or construction work to university buildings. Radiography uses radioactive sources of significant energy to identify hidden reinforcing steel bars, conduit and plumbing within layers of concrete. It can also be used to determine concrete thickness before drilling inside building structures. This is achieved through a directed, focused beam which generates radiation capable of penetrating concrete, and may be hazardous to individuals if exposed. As such, this work is commonly performed after regular working hours or on weekends to minimize the possibility of exposure.

Contractors must apply for a permit

In order to minimize the possibility of exposure of students, faculty, staff, visitors, plants, cultures, cell lines, photographic films or other radio-sensitive materials to ionizing radiation, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) has developed guidelines and a radiography source permit system to support contractors before they conduct radiography work on campus.

The permit system requires that the radiography source exposure device operator:

• be licensed by regulatory authorities;
• identify and assess the potential for exposure;
• take the necessary safety measures to minimize any possibility of exposure to persons and radio-sensitive materials; and
• work with EHS to ensure that students, faculty and staff are aware of the testing and that necessary safety precautions are taken to protect them from exposure.

Requests for this work should be made through the Facilities Help Desk at fixit@torontomu.ca or 416-979-5091, who will work with the radiation safety officer to issue a permit.