180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 5, § 016

Current through September 17, 2024

Section 180-5-016 - TRAINING

016.01RADIOGRAPHER. The licensee or registrant may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer until the individual:

(A) Has received at least 40 hours of training in the subjects in 180 NAC 5-016.07, in addition to on-the-job training consisting of hands-on experience under the supervision of a radiographer, and is certified through a radiographer certification program by a certifying entity according to the criteria specified in Appendix A of 180 NAC 5. The on-the-job training must include a minimum of two months (320 hours) of active participation in the performance of industrial radiography utilizing radioactive material or one month (160 hours) of active participation in the performance of industrial radiography utilizing radiation machines, or both. Individuals performing industrial radiography utilizing radioactive materials and radiation machines must complete both segments of the on-the-job training totaling three months (480 hours).

016.02ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS. In addition, the licensee or registrant may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer until the individual has:

(A) Received copies and instruction in the requirements described in the regulations contained in 180 NAC 5, and applicable chapters of 180 NAC 4, 10, and 13, in the license or registration under which the radiographer will perform industrial radiography, and the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures;

(B) Demonstrated an understanding of items in 180 NAC 5-016.02(A) by successful completion of a written or oral examination;

(C) Received training in the use of the registrant's radiation machines, or the licensee's radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources, in the daily inspection of devices and associated equipment, and in the use of radiation survey instruments; and

(D) Demonstrated understanding of the use of the equipment described in 180 NAC 5-016.02(C) by successful completion of a practical examination.

016.03RADIOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT. The licensee or registrant may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer's assistant until the individual has:

(A) Received copies of and instruction in the requirements described in the regulations contained in 180 NAC 5, and applicable 180 NAC 4, 10, and 13, in the license or registration under which the radiographer's assistant will perform industrial radiography, and the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures;

(B) Demonstrated an understanding of items 180 NAC 5-016.03(A) by successful completion of a written or oral examination;

(C) Received training to use, under the personal supervision of a radiographer, the registrant's radiation machines, or the licensee's radiographic exposure devices and sealed sources, in the daily inspection of devices and associated equipment, and radiation survey instruments the assistant will use; and

(D) Demonstrated understanding of the use of the equipment described in 180 NAC 5-016.03(C) by successful completion of a practical examination.

016.04ANNUAL REFRESHER SAFETY TRAINING. The licensee or registrant must provide annual refresher safety training for each radiographer and radiographer's assistant at intervals not to exceed 12 months.

016.05JOB PERFORMANCE INSPECTION PROGRAM. Except as provided in 180 NAC 5-016.05(C), the radiation safety officer or designee must conduct an inspection program of the job performance of each radiographer and radiographer's assistant to ensure that the Department's regulations, license requirements, and the applicant's operating and emergency procedures are followed.

(A) The inspection program must:

(i) Include observation of the performance of each radiographer and radiographer's assistant during an actual industrial radiographic operation, at intervals not to exceed six months; and

(ii) Provide that, if a radiographer or a radiographer's assistant has not participated in an industrial radiographic operation for more than six months since the last inspection, the radiographer must demonstrate knowledge of the training requirements of 180 NAC 5-016.02(C) and the radiographer's assistant must demonstrate knowledge of the training requirements of 180 NAC 5-016.03(C) by a practical examination before these individuals can next participate in a radiographic operation;

(B) The Department must approve alternative methods in situations where the individual serves as both radiographer and radiation safety officer; and

(C) In those operations where a single individual serves as both radiographer and radiation safety officer, and performs all radiography operations, an inspection program is not required.

016.06TRAINING RECORDS. The licensee or registrant must maintain records of the above training to include certification documents, written, oral and practical examinations, refresher safety training and inspections of job performance required by 180 NAC 5-031.

016.07TRAINING SUBJECT. The licensee or registrant must include the following subjects:

(A) Fundamentals of radiation safety including:

(i) Characteristics of gamma and x-radiation;

(ii) Units of radiation dose and quantity of radioactivity;

(iii) Hazards of exposure to radiation;

(iv) Levels of radiation from sources of radiation; and

(v) Methods of controlling radiation dose (time, distance, and shielding);

(B) Radiation detection instruments including:

(i) Use, operation, calibration, and limitations of radiation survey instruments;

(ii) Survey techniques; and

(iii) Use of personnel monitoring equipment;

(C) Equipment to be used including:

(i) Operation and control of radiographic exposure equipment, remote handling equipment, and storage containers, including pictures or models of source assemblies (pigtails);

(ii) Operation and control of radiation machines;

(iii) Storage, control, and disposal of sources of radiation; and

(iv) Inspection and maintenance of equipment;

(D) The requirements of pertinent state and federal regulations; and

(E) Case histories of accidents in radiography.

016.08RADIOGRAPHER CERTIFICATION RECORDS. Records of radiographer certification maintained as required by 180 NAC 5-031 are to provide documentation of certification requirements specified in 180 NAC 5-016.01.

180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 5, § 016

Amended effective 11/1/2020

Amended effective 6/14/2023