N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.5.11

Current through Register Vol. 36, No. 1, January 14, 2025

Section 20.3.5.11 - TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Radiographer's Assistant. Licensees and registrants may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer's assistant until the requirements of this subsection have been completed. Until completion of these requirements the individual is considered to be a radiographer trainee. Licensees and registrants will have 120 days from the effective date of these regulations to comply with these requirements:

(1) Training shall be provided regarding the fundamentals of radiation safety including--

(a) Characteristics of gamma and X-ray radiation;

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

(c) Hazards of exposure to radiation during radiographic operations, including case histories of accidents in radiography;

(d) Levels of radiation experienced during radiographic operations; and

(e) Methods of controlling radiation dose (time, distance, and shielding).

(f) Proper techniques for use and operation, and limitations of, the specific radiation survey instruments and personnel monitoring equipment used by the licensee or registrant.

(2) The individual has been provided copies of and instruction in the requirements contained in this Part, applicable sections of Parts 3, 4, and 10 of 20.3 NMAC, 10 CFR 71 of federal regulations, and conditions of the radioactive materials license or registration under which the radiographer will perform industrial radiography, and the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures;

(3) The individual has developed competence to use, under the personal supervision of the radiographer or radiographer instructor, the radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources, radiation machines, associated equipment, and radiation survey instruments that the assistant will use; and

(4) The individual has demonstrated understanding of the instructions provided under paragraph (2) of Subsection A of 20.3.5.11 NMAC by successfully completing a written test on the subjects covered and has demonstrated competence in the use of hardware described in paragraph (3) of Subsection A of 20.3.5.11 NMAC by successful completion of a practical examination on the use of such hardware.

B. Radiographer. Licensees may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer until the individual has completed the requirements of this subsection. With the exception of paragraph (3) of Section B of 20.3.5.11 NMAC, licensees and registrants will have 120 days from the effective date of these regulations to comply with these requirements:

(1) The requirements of Subsection A of 20.3.5.11 NMAC; and,

(2) Two months minimum on-the-job training in addition to paragraph (1) of Subsection B of 20.3.5.11 NMAC; and,

(3) Certification through a radiographer certification program by a certifying entity in accordance with the criteria specified in 20.3.5.12 NMAC. Licensees or registrants will have one calendar year from the effective date of these regulations to comply with this requirement. Records of radiographer certification maintained in accordance with Subsection F of 20.3.5.11 NMAC provide appropriate affirmation of meeting this certification requirement; and,

(4) Has demonstrated understanding of the license or registration and the operating and emergency procedures by successful completion of a written or oral examination covering this material; and,

(5) Has received adequate training and has demonstrated understanding in the use of the licensee's or registrant's radiation survey instruments and associated equipment by successful completion of a practical examination covering the following material:

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

(b) Survey techniques; and

(c) Use of personnel monitoring equipment; and

(6) Has received adequate training and has demonstrated understanding in the use of the licensee's or registrant's radiographic exposure devices, sources, radiation machines, and associated equipment by successful completion of a practical examination covering the following material:

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

(b) Storage, control, and disposal of licensed material; and

(c) Inspection and maintenance of equipment.

C. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The licensee may not permit any individual to act as an RSO until the requirements of this subsection have been satisfied. Licensees and registrants will have one year from the effective date of these regulations to comply with these requirements:

(1) The minimum qualifications, training, and experience for RSOs are as follows:

(a) Completion of the training and qualification requirements of Subsection B of 20.3.5.11 NMAC; and

(b) 2000 hours of hands-on experience as a qualified radiographer in industrial radiographic operations; and

(c) Formal training in the establishment and maintenance of a radiation protection program.

(2) The Department will consider alternatives to these requirements when the RSO has appropriate training and/or experience in the field of ionizing radiation, and in addition, has adequate formal training with respect to the establishment and maintenance of a radiation safety protection program.

D. Radiographer Instructor. No individual shall act as a radiographer instructor unless such individual:

(1) Has met the requirements of Subsection B of 20.3.5.11 NMAC; and

(2) Has 2000 hours of hands-on experience as a qualified radiographer in industrial radiographic operations; and

(3) Has been named as a radiographer instructor on the license or a registration certificate issued by the Department.

E. Annual Refresher Training. The licensee or registrant shall provide annual refresher training in radiation safety for each radiographer and radiographer's assistant at intervals not to exceed 12 months.

F. Records of Training and Certification. Each licensee or registrant shall maintain the following records (of training and certification) for 3 years after the record is made:

(1) Records of training of each radiographer and each radiographer's assistant. The record must include radiographer certification documents and verification of certification status, copies of written tests, dates of oral and practical examinations, and names of individuals conducting and receiving the oral and practical examinations; and

(2) Records of annual refresher safety training for each radiographer and each radiographer's assistant. The records must list the topics discussed during the refresher safety training, the dates the annual refresher safety training was conducted, and names of the instructors and attendees. For inspections of job performance required by Subsection B of 20.3.5.13 NMAC, the records must also include a list showing the items checked and any non-compliances observed by the RSO.

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.5.11

20.3.5.11 NMAC - Rp 20 NMAC 3.1.5.515, 5/19/02