Ariz. Admin. Code § 9-7-422

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R9-7-422 - Control of Access to Irradiators (Very-high Radiation Areas)

A. This Section applies to licensees or registrants with sources of radiation in non-self-shielded irradiators. This Section does not apply to sources of radiation that are used in teletherapy, industrial radiography, or completely self-shielded irradiators in which the source of radiation is both stored and operated within the same shielding radiation barrier and, in the designed configuration of the irradiator, is always physically inaccessible to any individual and cannot create high levels of radiation in an area that is accessible to any individual.

B. A licensee or registrant shall ensure that each area in which radiation levels may exceed 5 Gy (500 rad) in one hour at 1 meter from a source that is used to irradiate materials meets the following requirements:

1. Each entrance or access point shall be equipped with entry control devices that:

a. Function automatically to prevent any individual from inadvertently entering a very high radiation area;

b. Permit deliberate entry into the area only after a control device is actuated that causes the radiation level within the area, from the source of radiation, to be reduced below that at which it would be possible for an individual to receive a deep-dose equivalent in excess of 1 mSv (0.1 rem) in one hour; and

c. Prevent operation of the source of radiation if it would produce radiation levels in the area that could result in a deep-dose equivalent to an individual in excess of 1 mSv (0.1 rem) in one hour.

2. If the control devices required in subsection (B)(1) fail to function, additional control devices shall be provided so that:

a. The radiation level within the area, from the source of radiation, is reduced below that at which it would be possible for an individual to receive a deep-dose equivalent in excess of 1 mSv (0.1 rem) in one hour; and

b. Conspicuous visible and audible alarm signals are generated so that an individual entering the area is aware of the hazard. The individual who enters the very-high radiation area after an alarm signals shall be familiar with the process and equipment. Before entering, the individual shall ensure that a second individual is present and aware of the first person's actions.

3. The licensee or registrant shall provide control devices so that, upon failure or removal of physical radiation barriers other than the sealed source's shielded storage container:

a. The radiation level from the source of radiation is reduced below that at which it would be possible for an individual to receive a deep-dose equivalent in excess of 1 mSv (0.1 rem) in one hour, and

b. Conspicuous visible and audible alarm signals are generated so that potentially affected individuals are aware of the hazard. Potentially affected individuals shall notify the licensee or registrant of the failure or removal of the physical barriers.

4. When the shield for stored sealed sources is a liquid, the licensee or registrant shall provide means to monitor the integrity of the shield and to signal, automatically, loss of adequate shielding.

5. Physical radiation barriers that comprise permanent structural components, such as walls, that have no credible probability of failure or removal in ordinary circumstances need not meet the requirements of subsections (B)(3) and (4).

6. The licensee or registrant shall equip each area with devices that will automatically generate conspicuous visible and audible alarm signals to alert personnel in the area before the source of radiation can be put into operation and in time for any individual in the area to operate a clearly identified control device, installed in the area, and which can prevent the source of radiation from being put into operation.

7. The licensee or registrant shall control each area by use of administrative procedures and devices necessary to ensure that the area is cleared of personnel before each use of the source of radiation.

8. The licensee or registrant shall check each area by radiation measurement to ensure that, before the first individual's entry into the area after any use of the source of radiation, the radiation level from the source of radiation in the area will not expose an individual to a deep-dose equivalent in excess of 1 millisievert (0.1 rem) in one hour.

9. The licensee or registrant shall test the entry control devices required in subsection (B)(1) for proper functioning and keep records according to R9-7-421.

a. Testing shall be conducted before initial operation with the source of radiation on any day, unless operations were continued uninterrupted from the previous day;

b. Testing shall be conducted before resumption of operation of the source of radiation after any unintentional interruption;

c. The licensee or registrant shall submit to the Department a schedule of testing; and

d. The licensee or registrant shall include in the schedule a listing of the periodic testing that will be followed.

10. The licensee or registrant shall not conduct operations, other than those necessary to place the source of radiation in a safe condition or effect repairs on controls, unless control devices are functioning properly.

11. The licensee or registrant shall control entry and exit portals that are used in transporting materials to and from the irradiation area, and that are not intended for use by personnel, with devices and administrative procedures necessary to physically protect and warn against inadvertent entry by an individual through one of the portals. Exit portals for irradiated materials shall be equipped to detect and signal the presence of any uncontained radioactive material that is carried toward an exit and automatically prevent contained radioactive material from being carried out of the area.

C. A licensee, registrant, or applicant seeking a license or registration for a source of radiation within the purview of subsection (B) that will be used in a variety of positions or in locations, such as open fields or forests, that make it impractical to comply with certain requirements of subsection (B) may apply to the Department for approval of alternative safety measures. Alternative safety measures shall provide personnel protection at least equivalent to that specified in subsection (B). At least one of the alternative measures shall be an entry-preventing interlock control, based on a measurement of the radiation that ensures the absence of high radiation levels before an individual can gain access to the area where the sources of radiation are used.

D. A licensee or registrant shall provide the entry control devices required by subsections (B) and (C) in such a way that no individual will be prevented from leaving the area.

E. Records.

1. Each licensee or registrant shall maintain records of tests made according to subsection (B)(9) on entry control devices for very-high radiation areas. These records shall include the date and results of each test of function.

2. The licensee or registrant shall retain the records for three years from the date the record is made.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-7-422

New Section R9-7-422 recodified from R12-1-422, at 24 A.A.R. 813, effective March 22, 2018 (Supp. 18-1).