N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.5.13

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

Section 20.3.5.13 - REQUIREMENTS OF THE RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER (RSO)

A. The specific duties and authorities of the RSO include, but are not limited to:

(1) Ensuring that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with approved procedures and regulatory requirements in the daily operation of the licensee's or registrant's program; and

(2) Establish, document, and oversee all operating, emergency, and ALARA procedures required by Part 4 of 20.3 NMAC. The procedures shall be revised by the RSO whenever necessary to ensure procedural accuracy. The procedures shall be reviewed regularly by the RSO at intervals not to exceed one calendar year to ensure that they conform to Part 4, other pertinent regulations, and to the conditions of the license or registration; and

(3) Overseeing and approving all phases of the training program for radiographic personnel, ensuring that appropriate and effective radiation protection practices are taught; and

(4) Ensuring that required radiation surveys and leak tests are performed and documented in accordance with the regulations, including any corrective measures when levels of radiation exceed established limits; and

(5) Ensuring that personnel monitoring devices are calibrated and used properly by occupationally-exposed personnel, that records are kept of the monitoring results, and that timely notifications are made as required by 20.3.4.453 NMAC; and

(6) Ensuring that operations are conducted safely and to assume control for instituting corrective actions including stopping of operations when necessary.

B. Inspections of Job Performance. Except as provided in paragraph (4) of Subsection B of 20.3.5.13 NMAC, the RSO or designee shall conduct an inspection program of the job performance of each radiographer and radiographer's assistant to ensure that the Department's regulations, license or registration requirements, and the applicant's operating and emergency procedures are followed. The inspection program must:

(1) Include observation of the performance of each radiographer and radiographer's assistant during an actual industrial radiographic operation, at intervals not to exceed 6 months; and

(2) Provide that, if a radiographer or a radiographer's assistant has not participated in an industrial radiographic operation for more than 6 months since the last inspection, the radiographer must demonstrate knowledge of the training requirements of paragraph (5) of Subsection B of 20.3.5.11 NMAC and the radiographer's assistant must re-demonstrate knowledge of the training requirements of paragraph (3) of Subsection A of 20.3.5.11 NMAC by a practical examination before these individuals can next participate in a radiographic operation.

(3) The Department may consider alternatives requested in writing in those situations where the individual serves as both radiographer and RSO.

(4) Records of semi-annual inspections of job performance for each radiographer and each radiographer's assistant shall include a list showing the items checked and any non-compliances observed by the RSO.

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.5.13

20.3.5.13 NMAC - N, 5/19/02