What is the primary role of the permit Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)?

The primary role of the permit Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is to manage permits and oversee inventory related to radioactive materials and radiation-emitting devices. This involves ensuring that all use of radiation within a facility is conducted under the terms of the permit, which typically involves compliance with regulatory requirements. The RSO is responsible for maintaining accurate records of radioactive materials, managing inventory to prevent loss or misuse, and ensuring that all operations align with established safety protocols. This pivotal role helps to ensure both safety and regulatory compliance within facilities that use radioactive substances.

While conducting health assessments of personnel, enforcing safety regulations outside of the facility, and monitoring public exposure to radiation are important activities related to radiation safety, they are not the primary responsibility of the permit RSO. The focus of the RSO primarily revolves around regulatory compliance, permit management, and inventory oversight, which are crucial for maintaining safe operations involving radiation.