216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-40-20-10.6

Current through October 15, 2024

Section 216-RICR-40-20-10.6 - Radiation Safety Requirements

10.6.1Conducting Industrial Radiographic Operations

A. Whenever radiography is performed at a location other than a permanent radiographic installation, the radiographer must be accompanied by at least one (1) other qualified radiographer or an individual who has at a minimum met the requirements of §10.6.3(C) of this Part. The additional qualified individual shall observe the operations and be capable of providing immediate assistance to prevent unauthorized entry. Radiography may not be performed if only one (1) qualified individual is present.

B. All radiographic operations shall be conducted in a permanent radiographic installation, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Agency.

C. Except when physically impossible, collimators shall be used in industrial radiographic operations that use radiographic exposure devices that allow the source to be moved out of the device.

D. A licensee or registrant may conduct lay-barge, offshore platform, or underwater radiography only if procedures have been approved by the Agency, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or another Agreement State.

E. At a job site, the following shall be supplied by the licensee or registrant:

1. At least one (1) operable, calibrated survey instrument for each exposure device or radiation machine in use;

2. A current whole body personnel monitor (TLD or film badge) for each person performing radiographic operations;

3. An operable, calibrated pocket dosimeter with a range of zero (0) to two (2) millisieverts (two hundred (200) mrem) for each person performing radiographic operations;

4. An operable, calibrated, alarming ratemeter for each person performing radiographic operations using a radiographic exposure device; and

5. The appropriate barrier ropes and signs.

F. Each radiographer at a job site shall have on their person a valid certification ID card issued by a certifying entity.

G. Industrial radiographic operations shall not be performed if any of the items in §§10.6.1(E) and (F) of this Part are not available at the job site or are inoperable.

H. During an inspection, the Agency may terminate an operation if any of the items in §§10.6.1(E) and (F) of this Part are not available or operable, or if the required number of radiographic personnel are not present. Operations shall not be resumed until all required conditions are met.

10.6.2Radiation Safety Officer for Industrial Radiography

For the purpose of this Part, requirements for Radiation Safety Officer for industrial radiography are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 34.42.

10.6.3Training and Testing

A. The licensee or registrant shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer until the individual:

1. Has received at least forty (40) hours of training in the subjects outlined in §10.6.3(G) of this Part, 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 in accordance with the criteria specified in §10.6.11 of this Part. The on-the-job training shall include a minimum of two (2) months (three hundred twenty (320) hours) of active participation in the performance of industrial radiography utilizing radioactive material and/or one (1) month (one hundred sixty (160) hours) of active participation in the performance of industrial radiography utilizing radiation machines. Individuals performing industrial radiography utilizing radioactive materials and radiation machines must complete both segments of the on the job training (three (3) months or four hundred eighty (480) hours).

B. In addition, the licensee or registrant shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer until the individual:

1. Has received copies of and instruction in RCA regulations as contained in this Part and applicable sections of Parts 1, 2, 7 and 12 of this Subchapter, in applicable DOT regulations as referenced in 10 C.F.R. Part 71, in the license(s) and/or certificate(s) of registration under which the radiographer will perform industrial radiography, and the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures.

2. Has demonstrated understanding of the items in §10.6.3(B)(1) of this Part by successful completion of a written or oral examination.

3. Has 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

4. Has demonstrated understanding of the use of the equipment described in §10.6.3(B)(3) of this Part by successful completion of a practical examination.

C. The licensee or registrant shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer's assistant until the individual:

1. Has received copies of and instruction in RCA regulations as contained in this Part and applicable sections of Parts 1, 2, 7 and 12 of this Subchapter, in applicable DOT regulations as referenced in 10 C.F.R. Part 71, license(s) and/or certificate(s) of registration under which the radiographer's assistant will perform industrial radiography, and the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures;

2. Has demonstrated an understanding of items in §10.6.3(C)(1) of this Part by successful completion of a written or oral examination;

3. Has 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;

4. Has demonstrated understanding of the use of the equipment described in §10.6.3(C)(3) of this Part by successful completion of a practical examination.

D. The licensee or registrant shall provide annual refresher safety training for each radiographer and radiographer's assistant at intervals not to exceed twelve (12) months.

E. Except as provided in §10.6.3(E)(4) of this Part, the RSO or designee shall conduct an inspection program of the job performance of each radiographer and radiographer's assistant to ensure that the Agency's regulations, license and/or certificate of registration requirements, and the applicant's operating and emergency procedures are followed. The inspection program shall:

1. Include observation of the performance of each radiographer and radiographer's assistant during an actual industrial radiographic operation, at intervals not to exceed six (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 six (6) months since the last inspection, the radiographer must demonstrate knowledge of the training requirements of §10.6.3(B)(3) of this Part and the radiographer's assistant must re-demonstrate knowledge of the training requirements of §10.6.3(C)(2) of this Part by a practical examination before these individuals can next participate in a radiographic operation.

3. The Agency may consider alternatives in those situations where the individual serves as both radiographer and RSO.

4. In those operations where a single individual serves as both radiographer and RSO, and performs all radiography operations, an inspection program is not required.

F. The licensee or registrant shall maintain records of the above training to include certification documents, written and practical examinations, refresher safety training and inspections of job performance in accordance with §10.7.5 of this Part.

G. The licensee or registrant shall include the following subjects required in §10.6.3(A) of this Part:

1. Fundamentals of radiation safety including:

a. Characteristics of gamma and X-radiation;

b. Units of radiation dose and quantity of radioactivity;

c. Hazards of exposure to radiation;

d. Levels of radiation from sources of radiation; and

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

2. Radiation detection instruments including:

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

b. Survey techniques; and

c. Use of personnel monitoring equipment.

3. Equipment to be used including:

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

b. Operation and control of radiation machines;

c. Storage, control, and disposal of sources of radiation; and

d. Inspection and maintenance of equipment.

4. The requirements of pertinent Agency and Federal Regulations; and

5. Case histories of accidents in radiography.

H. Records of radiographer certification maintained in accordance with §10.7.5 of this Part provide appropriate affirmation of certification requirements specified in §10.6.3(A) of this Part.

10.6.4Operating and Emergency Procedures

For the purpose of this Part, requirements for operating and emergency procedures are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 34.45.

10.6.5Supervision of Radiographers' Assistants

For the purpose of this Part, requirements for supervision of radiographers' assistants are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 34.46.

10.6.6Personnel Monitoring

For the purpose of this Part, requirements for personnel monitoring are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 34.47.

10.6.7Radiation Surveys

For the purpose of this Part, requirements for radiation surveys are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 34.49.

10.6.8Surveillance

For the purpose of this Part, surveillance requirements are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 34.51.

10.6.9Posting

For the purpose of this Part, posting requirements are defined by 10 C.F.R. § 34.53.

10.6.10Reporting Requirements

A. In addition to the reporting requirements specified under other sections of this Subchapter, each licensee shall provide a written report to the Agency within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of any of the following incidents involving radiographic equipment:

1. Unintentional disconnection of the source assembly from the control cable;

2. Inability to retract the source assembly to its fully shielded position and secure it in this position;

3. Failure of any component (critical to safe operation of the device) to properly perform its intended function; or

4. An indicator on a radiation machine fails to show that radiation is being produced, an exposure switch fails to terminate production of radiation when turned to the off position, or a safety interlock fails to terminate X-ray production.

B. The licensee or registrant shall include the following information in each report submitted under §10.6.10(A) of this Part:

1. A description of the equipment problem;

2. Cause of each incident, if known;

3. Name of the manufacturer and model number of equipment involved in the incident;

4. Place, time and date of the incident;

5. Actions taken to establish normal operations;

6. Corrective actions taken or planned to prevent recurrence; and

7. Names and qualifications of personnel involved in the incident.

C. Reports of overexposure submitted under §1.17.3 of this Subchapter which involve failure of safety components of radiography equipment must also include the information specified in §10.6.10(B) of this Part.

D. Any licensee or registrant conducting radiographic operations or storing sources of radiation material at any location not listed on the license and/or certificate of registration for a period in excess of one hundred eighty (180) days in a calendar year, shall notify the Agency prior to exceeding the one hundred eighty (180) days.

10.6.11Radiographer Certification

For the purpose of this Part, requirements for radiographer certification are defined by Appendix A to 10 C.F.R. Part 34.

216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-40-20-10.6

Adopted effective 1/1/2019
Amended effective 5/25/2022