Visitors and students in a laboratory that uses radiation sources should be supervised by a radiation worker knowledgeable of the operation. No visitor or student shall be permitted to work with radiation sources without proper training. Radioisotopes or other sources of radioactivity must not be left unattended in places where it may be handled or removed by unknowing or unauthorized persons. As a general practice, work with radioactive material should be confined to only the areas necessary. This simplifies the problem of confinement and shielding and aids in limiting the affected area in case of an accident.
Some facilities pose a significant decontamination problem due to porous work surfaces.
Protective absorbent with a plastic back and paper front is especially useful. If contaminated, it can simply be discarded in the solid radioactive waste container. The lip of tray confines liquid radioactive materials. Good housekeeping should be practiced. If an area is kept neat, clean, and free from equipment not required for the immediate procedure, the likelihood of accidental contamination or exposure is reduced.