R313-35-130. X-Ray Systems Greater than 1 MeV used for Non-Destructive Testing  


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  •   (1) Equipment.

      (a) Individuals shall not receive, possess, use, transfer, own, or acquire a particle accelerator unless it is registered pursuant to R313-16-231.

      (b) The registrant shall perform visual and operability checks of indication lights and warning lights before use on each day the equipment is to be used to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition. If equipment problems are found, the equipment shall be removed from service until repaired.

      (c) Inspection and routine maintenance of x-ray systems, interlocks, indication lights, exposure switches, and cables shall be made at intervals not to exceed three months or before the first use thereafter to ensure the proper functioning of components important to safety. If equipment problems are found, the equipment shall be removed from service until repaired.

      (d) Records demonstrating compliance with R313-35-130(1)(b) shall be made when problems with the equipment are found. These records shall be maintained for a period of three years.

      (e) Records demonstrating compliance with R313-35-130(1)(c) shall be made. These records shall be maintained for a period of three years.

      (f) Maintenance performed on x-ray systems shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

      (g) Instrumentation, readouts and controls on the particle accelerator control console shall be clearly identified and easily discernible.

      (h) A switch on the accelerator control console shall be routinely used to turn the accelerator beam off and on. The safety interlock system shall not be used to turn off the accelerator beam, except in an emergency.

      (2) Shielding and Safety Design Requirements.

      (a) An individual who has satisfied a criterion listed in R313-16-292, shall be consulted in the design of a particle accelerator's installation and called upon to perform a radiation survey when the accelerator is first capable of producing radiation.

      (b) Particle accelerator installations shall be provided with primary or secondary barriers which are sufficient to assure compliance with R313-15-201 and R313-15-301.

      (c) Entrances into high radiation areas or very high radiation areas shall be provided with interlocks that shut down the machine under conditions of barrier penetration.

      (d) When a radiation safety interlock system has been tripped, it shall only be possible to resume operation of the accelerator by manually resetting controls first at the position where the interlock has been tripped, and then at the main control console.

      (e) Safety interlocks shall be on separate electrical circuits which shall allow their operation independently of other safety interlocks.

      (f) Safety interlocks shall be fail-safe. This means that they must be designed so that defects or component failures in the interlock system prevent operation of the accelerator.

      (g) The registrant may apply to the Director for approval of alternate methods for controlling access to high or very high radiation areas. The Director may approve the proposed alternatives if the registrant demonstrates that the alternative methods of control will prevent unauthorized entry into a high or very high radiation area, and the alternative method does not prevent individuals from leaving a high or very high radiation area.

      (h) A "scram" button or other emergency power cutoff switch shall be located and easily identifiable in high radiation areas or in very high radiation areas. The cutoff switch shall include a manual reset so that the accelerator cannot be restarted from the accelerator control console without resetting the cutoff switch.

      (i) Safety and warning devices, including interlocks, shall be checked for proper operation at intervals not to exceed three months, and after maintenance on the safety and warning devices. Results of these tests shall be maintained for inspection at the accelerator facility for three years.

      (j) A copy of the current operating and emergency procedures shall be maintained at the accelerator control panel.

      (k) Locations designated as high radiation areas or very high radiation areas and entrances to locations designated as high radiation areas or very high radiation areas shall be equipped with easily observable flashing or rotating warning lights that operate when radiation is being produced.

      (l) High radiation areas or very high radiation areas shall have an audible warning device which shall be activated for 15 seconds prior to the possible creation of the high radiation area or the very high radiation area. Warning devices shall be clearly discernible in high radiation areas or in very high radiation areas. The registrant shall instruct personnel in the vicinity of the particle accelerator as to the meaning of this audible warning signal.

      (m) Barriers, temporary or otherwise, and pathways leading to high radiation areas or very high radiation areas shall be identified in accordance with R313-15-902.

      (3) Personnel Requirements.

      (a) Registrants shall not permit individuals to act as particle accelerator operators until the individuals have complied with the following:

      (i) been instructed in radiation safety; and

      (ii) been instructed pursuant to R313-35-50 and the applicable requirements of R313-15.

      (iii) Records demonstrating compliance with R313-35-130(3)(a)(i) and R313-35-130(3)(a)(ii) shall be maintained for a period of three years from the termination date of the individual.

      (b) Registrants shall not permit an individual to conduct x-ray operations unless the individual meets the personnel monitoring requirements of R313-35-120(3)(c).

      (4) Radiation Monitoring Requirements.

      (a) At particle accelerator facilities, there shall be available appropriate portable monitoring equipment which is operable and has been calibrated for the radiations being produced at the facility. On each day the particle accelerator is to be used, the portable monitoring equipment shall be tested for proper operation.

      (b) When changes have been made in shielding, operation, equipment, or occupancy of adjacent areas, a radiation protection survey shall be performed and documented by an individual who has satisfied a criterion listed in R313-16-292 or the individual designated as being responsible for radiation safety.

      (c) Records of radiation protection surveys, calibrations, and instrumentation tests shall be maintained at the accelerator facility for inspection by representatives of the Director for a period of three years.