Provides functions for the user to handle waste at a department level, i.e. waste that is manipulated within the laboratory.
The screen displays a list of containers with the following information:
| Reference | the unique identifier for the waste |
| Start date | the date the container was first used |
| Radionuclides | the list of radionuclides it contains |
| Activity | the total activity of all radionuclides |
| Days | the age of the container |
| Location | where it is kept |
| Sealed? | whether the container is sealed to prevent being used for further waste |
| Type | the type of container |
Colour is used to indicate status:
| Black | unsealed / open container |
| Green | sealed / closed container |
| Grey | marked for collection |
| Purple | over the department time limit for that container type |
| Pink | Close to the maximum time limit waste type / radionuclide |
| Red | Over the maximum time limit for that waste type / radionuclide |
There is a drop-down for selecting the waste to display:
| For my department | all waste belonging to any of the departments that the user has access to |
| Due for collection / disposal | all waste that has reached the maximum department holding time for that waste type |
| Approaching time limit | All waste that is approaching the licenced time limit for that waste type / radionuclide |
| For department | all waste belonging to the selected department |
| All waste | all waste containers (within departments) |
The user can select the order of the list by clicking on the headers, Reference, Radionuclides, Days, Location.
The lower part of the screen displays the details of the highlighted waste container.
There is search facility to allow the user to enter a Container Reference.
Seal This Waste
Allows the user to mark the container as sealed so that it can no longer be used for further waste.
The information that must be recorded is:
| Date / time sealed | when it was sealed |
| Sealed by | who sealed the waste |
Request Collection
Allows the user to request that the container is collected.
The information that must be recorded is:
| To be collected from | the location where the container will be placed for collection |
| Date / time collection requested | when the request was made |
| Requested by | who made the request |
If the container is not already sealed, requesting collection will mark the container as sealed at the same time
Move to Decay Store
Allows the user to move a container directly to the decay store without using the collection functions.
The details that need to be entered are:
| To Decay Store | the store where it will be placed |
| Date / Time Moved | when it was moved |
| Moved By | who moved it |
If the container is not already sealed, moving it to the decay store will mark the container as sealed at the same time.
Dispose of This Waste
Allows the user to dispose of the waste directly to an available waste route without having to have the waste collected and place onto a consignment
The details that need to be entered are:
| Date / time sent | when it was sent |
| Sent by | who sent/disposed of it |
| Disposed to / by | the route by which it was sent |
| Company name / address | the name and address where necessary |
| Contact | waste contractors contact name |
| Reference | waste contractors reference code |
The disposal will automatically create a consignment for the single container.
On confirmation, the consignment is allocated a unique reference if applicable.
Transfer to Another Container
Allows the user to transfer a number of containers into another container.
After highlighting the container to transfer the user must enter:
| Date / time | when they were transferred |
| Transferred by | who transferred them |
| To waste type | the type of container they were transferred to |
| To waste number | the reference number of the container they were transferred to |
On confirmation, the original container will change to disposed.
Edit Seal Details
Allows the user to edit the seal information. It is identical in operation to Seal this waste.
Edit Waste Notes
You can record free text notes against each container. Highlight the container and select Edit Waste Notes to open the edit screen.
Within this option you can also adjust the number of containers (for multi-container types) and specify the container has further hazards (beyond radioactivity).
Edit Collection Request
Allows the user to edit the Collection Request information. It is identical in operation to Request Collection
Edit Move Details
Allows the user to edit the Move to Decay Store information. It is identical in operation to Move to Decay Store.
Edit / View Contents
Allows the user to view and edit the contents of a container.
A list of disposals will be displayed showing:
| Date / time | when the disposal was made |
| Detail | the compound disposed of |
| Radionuclide | the radionuclide it contained |
| Activity | the current activity of that piece of waste |
Highlighting an entry and clicking Edit Waste will allow the user to edit the original disposal. This option is identical to Compound Details – Dispose.
Highlighting an entry and clicking Remove Waste will allow the user to delete the original disposal removing the compound from the container.
Manually Adjust Contents
Allows the user to manually specify the amount of activity contained within a bag. Under normal operation the activity within a bag is calculated from the disposals made to it, however ithis option can be used for low level waste, such as sharps, swabs etc which have not been specifically tied to compounds.
Note it is always advisable to tie all waste however small to a compound as this provides a more complete record.
The user must enter the date and time on which the activity is being specified. Then enter the total activity of each radionuclide decay corrected for this date.
The Nominal calculations option recalculates the contents without allowing for decay. This helps calculate contamination radionuclides, as they can then be calculated as a percentage of the nominal/non decay corrected contents.
View Decay Graph
Displays a graph showing the decay of the highlighted container.
The is a drop-down for selecting 1 month, 1 year or 10 years of decay.
Record Dose Rate
This option allows the user to record a measure Dose Rate against the container.
The details that can be recorded are:
| Date/time measured | when the dose rate was measured |
| Measured by | the user recording the dose rate measurement |
| Dose rate | the measured rate with applicable units |
Edit Waste Details
Allows the user to edit the details of a waste container. It is identical in operation to Create waste container
Delete Waste Container
Allows the user to delete an unused waste container. Note that you cannot delete a container if it contains any waste
Create Waste Container
Allows the user to create a waste container ready for disposals.
The information that must be entered is:
| Type | the type of container |
| Created by | who created it |
| Date / time | when it was created |
| Reference | a unique reference |
| This bag contains further hazards | whether the bag contains hazards in addition to radioactivity |
| Notes | any other notes |
| Contains | the radionuclide (or multiple if allowed in setup) that it will be used for |
| Split across | the number of items for a multi container |
| Can be used | where and who can use the container |
| Kept in | where it will be kept |
On confirmation, a unique reference will be allocated if applicable.
The “Can Be Used” option controls access to a bin.
Set to – by Department:
Anybody in the department can use the bin from any Location within the Department. This is the most common option and suits most situations.
Set to – in Location:
The bin can only be used if the sample being disposed of is in the same Location. This is to cover situations where a single bin is used by multiple Departments due to sharing a lab or waste area.
Set to – by Whole Site:
This is a special case where all Departments have access to a shared location where disposals are made to bins.
Copy to Clipboard
The details of an individual container can be copied to the clipboard. The format/layout and fields can be defined with Setup – Clipboard formats.
Print Label
Prints a label for the currently highlighted container. Label formats can be configured within Setup – Label formats.
Print This List
Prints a list of all the containers being displayed.
Print This Container
Prints the details of the currently highlighted container.
Print Container Detailed
Prints the details of a container with a detailed list of it’s contents, showing each item, reference, name, activity, etc.
Print Container Contents
Prints the details of a container with a detailed list of each disposal made into the container.
Show Edits
This option shows the details of any changes to the highlighted container, along with the user, the date/time of the change, the reason, and the items changed.