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Facilities - Environmental Health and Safety

Radiation and Laser Safety

Section Contents

Laser Safety

The laser safety team ensures the safety use of lasers, laser systems, and other non-ionizing radiation sources such as ultraviolet (UV) light.

The laser safety team:

  • Provides guidance on standard operating procedures and personal protective equipment
  • Consults on laser lab design
  • Analyzes hazards of laser systems
  • Provides laser safety and laser alignment training for laser operators as well as awareness training for non-users present in the lab when lasers are being used
  • Coordinate and supports activities of the Laser Safety Committee
  • Uses tool EHS Assist (EHSA) to assist researchers in managing hazardous material and equipment user, training, inventory, inspection, and waste disposal data

Our program fosters a progressive safety culture by continuously improving through collaboration with the research community, incorporating feedback, and staying abreast of current standards, practices, and lessons learned. 

Contact Us: lasersafety@vanderbilt.edu

Laser Safety Documents and Resources

Radiation Safety

VUMC Office of Clinical and Research Safety (OCRS) is currently administering the Radiation Safety program. For information on how to apply to use radioactive materials at Vanderbilt or other information on VU’s radiation safety program, click here.

Contact Us: radiationsafety@vanderbilt.edu

Radiation Safety Documents and Resources

  • Radioactive Material (RAM) Purchasing

    All RAM orders are now being placed through EHS Assist. EHS Assist is a user-friendly, comprehensive, online information management system that assists VU researchers with managing their safety and compliance responsibilities and information related to the use of hazardous research materials and equipment.

    To help researchers navigate this new procedure, a detailed RAM Buyer’s user guide has been created and a recording of the RAM Buyer’s orientation session can be viewed here.

    If you have questions or need assistance placing an order, please contact the Radiation Safety team at radiationsafety@vanderbilt.edu.

  • Radiation Safety Forms
    • Declared Pregnant Worker Form – To voluntarily declare your pregnancy through Vanderbilt Research Safety and the Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic, you must complete and submit your declaration using the online Declaration of Pregnancy form
    • Notice to Employees Form - This is required for all labs that have an x-ray machine or RAM in them.

Quick Links

EHS Resources

Lab Safety Training

Lab Onboarding and Closing

EHS Safety Committees