§ 17-30336. Radiography Employing Radiation Machines.

Definitions, for purposes of this regulation, and special requirements for various categories of radiography employing radiation machines are as follows:

(a) Cabinet radiography is that which is conducted in an enclosed, interlocked cabinet, such that the radiation machine will not operate unless all openings are securely closed, and the interior of which is so shielded that every location on the exterior meets conditions for an uncontrolled area as specified in the United States, title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 20, subpart D as incorporated by reference in section 30253. Cabinet radiography shall be subject to the following special conditions:

(1) No user shall permit any individual to operate a cabinet radiography unit until such individual has received a copy of and instruction in, and demonstrated an understanding of, operating procedures for the unit, and has demonstrated competence in its use.

(b) Shielded room radiography is that which is conducted in an enclosed room, the interior of which is not occupied during radiographic operations, which is so shielded that every location on the exterior meets conditions for an uncontrolled area as specified in the United States, title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 20, subpart D as incorporated by reference in section 30253, and the only access to which is through openings which are interlocked so that the radiation machine will not operate unless all openings are securely closed. Shielded room radiography shall be subject to the following special conditions:

(1) No user shall permit any individual to operate a shielded room radiography unit until such individual has received a copy of and instruction in, and demonstrated an understanding of, operating procedures for the unit, and has demonstrated competence in its use.

(2) Each user shall supply appropriate personnel monitoring equipment to, and shall require the use of such equipment by, every individual who operates, who makes “set-ups,” or who performs maintenance on a shielded room radiography unit.

(c) Field radiography is all radiography other than cabinet radiography and shielded room radiography. Field radiography shall be subject to the following special conditions, except as may be explicitly exempted by the department or other official agency specifically designated by the department:

(1) No user shall permit any individual to perform field radiography until such individual has been instructed in and demonstrated an understanding of the following subjects:

Characteristics of X-radiation

Units of radiation dose

Radiation hazards

Radiation levels from radiation machines

Methods of controlling radiation exposure: time, distance, shielding

Use of radiation survey instruments: operation, calibration, limitations

Radiation survey techniques

Characteristics and use of personnel monitoring equipment

Use of radiation machines in radiography

(2) Each user shall maintain and keep current written operating procedures for the kinds of radiation machines and the kinds of radiographic procedures employed. Such procedures shall include detailed instructions in at least the following:

(A) Means to be employed to control and limit exposure to individuals.

(B) Methods and occasions for conducting radiation surveys and for controlling access to radiography areas.

(C) The use of radiation survey instruments and personnel monitoring devices.

(3) No user shall permit any individual to perform field radiography until such individual has received a copy of, instruction in, and demonstrated an understanding of, the user's operating procedures and has demonstrated competence in the kinds of radiographic operations which he will perform.

(4) The boundaries of the controlled area for each “setup” shall be determined by a physical radiation survey, and appropriate limitations shall be imposed for controlling access to that area. Such surveys shall be made with a radiation measuring instrument capable of measuring radiation of the energies and at the dose rates to be encountered, which is in good working order, and which has been properly calibrated within the preceding three months or following the last instrument servicing, whichever is later. Survey results and records of boundary locations shall be maintained and kept available for inspection.

(5) Areas in which radiography is being performed shall be conspicuously posted as required by the United States, title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 20, subpart J as incorporated by reference in section 30253. The limits of a “high radiation area” need not be separately defined and posted if the surrounding “radiation area” is posted and controlled as a “high radiation area.”

(6) During each radiographic operation, the operator shall maintain direct surveillance of the operation to protect against unauthorized entry into a high radiation area unless entry into such area is positively controlled by other suitable means.

(7) Each user shall maintain current utilization logs which shall be kept available for inspection at the address specified on the registration form, containing the following information for each radiation machine:

(A) The identity of the machine.

(B) The location, date, and the identity of the individual operator for each use.

(C) The voltage, current, and exposure time for each use.

(8) Each user shall furnish a film badge and either a pocket dosimeter or pocket chamber to, and require their use at all times during radiographic operations by, every individual who conducts field radiography or who otherwise frequents the area during such operations. Pocket dosimeters and pocket chambers shall be capable of measuring doses to at least 200 millirems. They shall be read and doses recorded daily.

Pocket dosimeters and pocket chambers shall be checked for current leakage and calibrated no less frequently than once a year. Records of such checks and calibrations, showing dates and results, shall be maintained and kept available for inspection.

Each film badge shall be assigned to and worn by only one individual. An individual's film badge shall be immediately processed if his pocket dosimeter or pocket chamber is discharged beyond its range.

The film badge reports received from the film badge processor and records of pocket dosimeter or pocket chamber readings shall be maintained and kept available for inspection.

HISTORY

1. Amendment of subsection (c)(4) filed 5-13-69; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 69, No. 20).

2. Amendment of subsection (c)(5) filed 10-12-72; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 72, No. 42).

3. Change without regulatory effect adding NOTE (Register 87, No. 11).

4. Amendment of subsections (a), (b) and (c)(5) filed 3-3-94 as an emergency; operative 3-3-94 (Register 94, No. 9). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 7-1-94 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

5. Certificate of Compliance as to 3-3-94 order transmitted to OAL 6-7-94 and filed 7-14-94 (Register 94, No. 28).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 208 and 25811, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 25801 and 25802, Health and Safety Code.