Section 180-8-009 - ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OPEN-BEAM RADIATION GENERATING DEVICES In addition to the requirements in section 003 through 007, the following requirements apply to all open-beam radiation generating devices not otherwise addressed in this chapter.
009.01SAFETY DEVICE. Safety devices must meet the following requirements: (A) The registrant must document their justification of the use of open-beam instead of closed-beam x-ray systems;(B) If the registrant uses an open-beam system, the registrant must consider a safety device which prevents the entry of any portion of the operator's body into the path of the primary beam or which causes the primary beam to be shut off upon entry into its path;(C) If the registrant's use of the open-beam radiation generating device does not permit the use of a safety device to prevent direct body exposure, the registrant must maintain a written record of the various safety devices that have been evaluated and reasons for why these devices cannot be used. These records must be available onsite for inspection;(D) In place of the safety device described in subsection 009.01(B) above, the registrant must use alternative methods to minimize the possibility of unnecessary exposure. The registrant must maintain documentation describing the alternative methods. This documentation must be available for inspection as long as these methods are employed, plus an additional three years; and(E) The safety device requirement may be met for portable open-beam radiation generating devices that are manufactured to be used hand held, or potentially used as hand held, without safety devices, by complying with all the requirements in section 009 prior to use.009.02X-RAY ON STATUS. Open-beam radiation generating devices must be provided with a visible and active indication of: (i) X-ray tube "on-off" status located near the radiation source housing. The warning lights as required by subsection 003.01(A) can meet this requirement if the warning lights are visible by anyone near the primary beam;(ii) Shutter "open-closed" status located at the control panel and near each beam port on the radiation source housing, if the primary beam is controlled with a shutter. The shutter status device must be clearly labeled as to the meaning of the device status. The status light at the control panel can meet the requirement for the status light at the beam port if the status light at the control panel is visible by anyone near the primary beam. 009.02(A) The x-ray tube "on-off" status indicator and the shutter "open-closed" status indicators must be of a fail-safe design.009.03SHUTTERS. On open-beam configurations installed after June 27, 1983, each port on the radiation source housing must be equipped with a shutter that cannot be opened unless a collimator or a coupling has been connected to the port.009.04PRIMARY BEAM ATTENUATION. In cases where the primary x-ray beam is not intercepted by the detector device under all conditions of operation, protective measures must be provided to avoid exposure to any individual from the transmitted primary x-ray beam.009.05OPERATOR ATTENDANCE. The operator must be in immediate attendance at all times when the equipment is in operation except when the area is locked or the equipment is secured to protect against unauthorized or accidental entry.009.06CONTROL OF ACCESS. If the radiation generating device is not in a restricted area and is capable of creating a radiation area or a high radiation area, the operator must be able to control access to the radiation generating device at all times during operation and meet the following requirements: (A) Radiation areas must be clearly identified. The radiation source must be within a visible perimeter that meets the posting requirements of 180 NAC 4-034.01. The operator must ensure that no one is inside or enters the radiation area during operation of the radiation generating device;(B) High radiation areas must be clearly identified. The radiation source must be within a visible perimeter that meets the posting requirements of 180 NAC 4-034. The operator must ensure that no one is inside or enters the high radiation area during operation of the radiation generating device;(C) The operator must perform a visual check of the controlled area to ensure it is free of all unauthorized personnel immediately prior to activating the radiation source;(D) Surveillance of the exposure area must be maintained during operation, either visually or by other reliable means to ensure that no individual enters the area;(E) During the initial exposure, the radiation levels must be measured around the perimeter of the controlled area. The perimeter must be adjusted accordingly to meet the access control requirement for radiation areas or high radiation areas; and(F) The survey around the perimeter must be made for each new operating condition and the perimeter adjusted accordingly. The area of operation must be monitored periodically if radiation levels are variable.180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 8, § 009
Adopted effective 6/26/2021