Section 180-19-018 - TRAINING018.01INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING. Before an individual is permitted to operate an irradiator without a supervisor present, the individual must: (A) Receive instruction in: (i) Fundamentals of radiation protection applied to irradiators including the differences between external radiation and radioactive contamination, units of radiation dose, Department dose limits, why large radiation doses must be avoided, how shielding and access controls prevent large doses, how a irradiator is designed to prevent contamination, the proper use of survey meters and personnel dosimeters, other radiation safety features of an irradiator, and the basic function of the irradiator;(ii) Requirements of 180 NAC 10 and this chapter that are relevant to the irradiator;(iii) Operation of the irradiator;(iv) Those operating and emergency procedures listed in 180 NAC 19-019 that the individual is responsible for performing; and(v) Case histories of accidents or problems involving irradiators;(B) Pass a written test on the instruction received consisting primarily of questions based on the licensee's operating and emergency procedures that the individual is responsible for performing and other operations necessary to safely operate the irradiator without supervision;(C) Have received on-the-job training or simulator training in the use of the irradiator as described in the license application; and(D) Demonstrate the ability to perform those portions of the operating and emergency procedures the individual is to perform.018.02SAFETY REVIEW. The licensee must conduct safety reviews for irradiator operators at least annually. The licensee must give each operator a brief written test on the information. Each safety review must include, to the extent appropriate, each of the following: (A) Changes in operating and emergency procedures since the last review, if any;(B) Changes in regulations and license conditions since the last review, if any;(C) Reports on recent accidents, mistakes, or problems that have occurred at irradiators, if any;(D) Relevant results of inspections of operator safety performance;(E) Relevant results of the facility's inspection and maintenance checks; and(F) A drill to practice an emergency or abnormal event procedure.018.03SAFETY PERFORMANCE. The licensee must evaluate the safety performance of each irradiator operator at least annually to ensure regulations, license conditions, and operating and emergency procedures are followed. The licensee must discuss the results of the evaluation with the operator and must instruct the operator on how to correct any mistakes or deficiencies observed.018.04UNESCORTED ACCESS. Individuals that will be permitted unescorted access to the radiation room of the irradiator or the area around the pool of an underwater irradiator, but who have not received the training required for operators and the radiation safety officer, must be instructed and tested in any precautions they should take to avoid radiation exposure, any procedures or parts of procedures listed in 180 NAC 19-019 that they are expected to perform or comply with, and their proper response to alarms required in this chapter. Tests may be oral.018.05ALARM RESPONSE. Individuals who must be prepared to respond to alarms required by 180 NAC 19-008.02, 19-008.09, 19-010.01, 19-011.01, 19-011.02 and 19-022.02 must be trained and tested on how to respond. Each individual must be retested at least once a year. Tests may be oral.180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 19, § 018
Amended effective 6/26/2021Amended effective 6/14/2023