S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-64.VIII.RHB 8.13

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 61-64.VIII.RHB 8.13 - Special Requirements for Certain Industrial Radiographic Techniques

8.13.1 Cabinet Radiography.

8.13.1.1 Upon installation, a cabinet radiography unit shall not be operated until a physical radiation survey of the unit and areas adjacent to the unit has been performed. A radiation survey of the unit and area adjacent to the unit shall also be performed at least annually, and after any repair modification, or maintenance on the system.

8.13.1.2 Tests for proper operation of high radiation area control devices, alarm systems, or interlocks must be conducted at least annually, recorded, and maintained in accordance with RHB 8.10.

8.13.1.3 Radiation emitted from the cabinet x-ray unit shall not exceed one-half milliRoentgen (0.5 mR) per hour at any point five centimeters (5 cm) from the external surface.

8.13.1.4 A cabinet x-ray system shall have a permanent floor. Any support surface to which a cabinet x-ray system is permanently affixed may be deemed the floor of the system.

8.13.1.5 The insertion of any part of the human body through any port into the primary beam or through any aperture shall not be possible.

8.13.1.6 Interlocks.

8.13.1.6.1 Each door of a cabinet x-ray system shall have a minimum of two (2) safety interlocks. One (1), but not both, of the required interlocks shall be such that door opening results in physical disconnection of the energy supply circuit to the high-voltage generator, and such disconnection shall not be dependent upon any moving part other than the door.

8.13.1.6.2 Each access panel shall have at least one (1) safety interlock.

8.13.1.6.3 Following interruption of x-ray generation by the functioning of any safety interlock, use of a control provided in accordance with RHB 8.13.1.8.2 shall be necessary for resumption of x-ray generation.

8.13.1.6.4 Failure of any single component of the cabinet x-ray system shall not cause failure of more than one (1) required safety interlock.

8.13.1.7 A ground fault, or an accidental electrical grounding of an electrical conductor, shall not result in the generation of x-rays.

8.13.1.8 Controls and indicators for all cabinet x-ray systems. For all systems to which this section is applicable, there shall be provided:

8.13.1.8.1 A key actuated control to ensure that x-ray generation is not possible with the key removed.

8.13.1.8.2 A control or controls to initiate and terminate the generation of x-rays other than by functioning of a safety interlock or the main power control.

8.13.1.8.3 Two (2) independent means which indicate when and only when x-rays are being generated, unless the x-ray generation period is less than one-half (0.5) second in which case the indicators shall be activated for one-half (0.5) second, and which are discernible from any point at which initiation of x-ray generation is possible. Failure of a single component of the cabinet x-ray system shall not cause failure of both indicators to perform their intended function. One (1), but not both, of the indicators required by this regulation may be a milliammeter labeled to indicate x-ray tube current. All other indicators shall be legibly labeled "X-RAY ON."

8.13.1.8.4 Additional means, other than milliammeters, which indicate when and only when x-rays are being generated, unless the x-ray generation period is less than one-half (0.5) second, in which case the indicators shall be activated for one-half (0.5) second, as needed to ensure that at least one (1) indicator is visible from each door, access panel, and port, and is legibly labeled "X-RAY ON."

8.13.1.9 Additional controls and indicators for cabinet x-ray systems designed to admit humans. For cabinet x-ray systems designed to admit humans, there shall also be provided:

8.13.1.9.1 A control within the cabinet for preventing and terminating x-ray generation, which cannot be reset, overridden, or bypassed from the outside of the cabinet.

8.13.1.9.2 No means by which x-ray generation can be initiated from within the cabinet.

8.13.1.9.3 Audible and visible warning signals within the cabinet which are actuated for at least ten (10) seconds immediately prior to the first initiation of x-ray generation after closing any door designed to admit humans. Failure of any single component of the cabinet x-ray system shall not cause the failure of both the audible and visible warning signals.

8.13.1.9.4 A visible warning signal within the cabinet which remains actuated when and only when x-rays are being generated unless the x-ray generation period is less than one-half (0.5) second, in which case the indicator shall be activated for one-half (0.5) second.

8.13.1.9.5 Signs indicating the meaning of the warning signals required by RHB 8.13.1.9.3 and 8.13.1.9.4 and containing instructions for the use of the control required by RHB 8.13.1.9.1. These signs shall be legible, accessible to view, and illuminated when the main power control is in the "on" position.

8.13.1.10 Warning labels. There shall be permanently affixed or inscribed on the cabinet x-ray system at the location of any controls which can be used to initiate x-ray generation, a clearly legible and visible label bearing the statement: "CAUTION: X-RAYS PRODUCED WHEN ENERGIZED." There shall also be a permanently affixed or inscribed on the cabinet x-ray system adjacent to each port a clearly legible and visible label bearing the statement: "CAUTION: DO NOT INSERT ANY PART OF THE BODY WHEN SYSTEM IS ENERGIZED-X-RAY HAZARD."

8.13.1.11 Additional requirements for x-ray baggage inspection systems. X-ray systems designed primarily for the inspection of carry-on baggage at airline, railroad, and bus terminals, and at similar facilities, shall be provided with means to ensure operator presence at the control area in a position which permits surveillance of the ports and doors during generation of x-rays.

8.13.1.11.1 During an exposure or preset succession of exposures of one-half (0.5) second or greater duration, the means provided shall enable the operator to terminate the exposure or preset succession of exposures at any time.

8.13.1.11.2 During an exposure or preset succession of exposures of less than one-half (0.5) second duration, the means provided may allow completion of the exposure in progress but shall enable the operator to prevent additional exposures.

8.13.2 Shielded Room Radiography.

8.13.2.1 Each registrant shall supply appropriate personnel monitoring equipment to, and shall require the use of such equipment by, every individual who operates, makes "set-ups," or performs maintenance on a radiation machine for shielded room radiography.

8.13.2.2 A physical radiation survey shall be conducted to determine that the x-ray machine is off prior to each entry into the shielded room. Such surveys shall be made with a radiation measuring instrument capable of measuring radiation of the energies and at the dose rates to be encountered, which is in good working order, and which has been properly calibrated within the preceding twenty-four (24) months or following the last instrument servicing, whichever is later.

8.13.2.3 Each installation shall be provided with such primary barriers and secondary barriers as are necessary to assure compliance with RHB 3.4 and 3.9.

8.13.2.4 Shielding. All provisions of RHB 4.4 apply.

8.13.2.5 Entrance Interlocks. All entrances into the shielded room shall be provided with interlocks. After an interlock has been interrupted, broken, or tripped, it shall be possible to cause x-rays to be produced again only from the control panel. Interlocks shall not be used to shut off the x-ray equipment except in an emergency or during testing.

8.13.2.6 Audible Warning Device. A shielded room shall be provided with an audible warning signal within the shielded room which is actuated for at least ten (10) seconds immediately prior to the first initiation of x-ray generation after closing any door.

8.13.2.7 Visible Warning Signal. A shielded room shall be provided with visible warning signals which remain actuated when and only when x-rays are being generated. These visible warning signals shall be located so that they can be observed from any position or orientation within the room and at each entrance.

8.13.2.8 Signs indicating the meaning of the warning signals required by RHB 8.13.2.6 and 8.13.2.7 shall be legible and conspicuously posted.

8.13.2.9 Emergency Shut-off. An emergency shut-off switch shall be provided for preventing and terminating x-ray generation, which cannot be reset, overridden, or bypassed from the outside of the shielded room. Emergency shut-off switches shall be:

8.13.2.9.1 Accessible within ten (10) seconds to individuals therein;

8.13.2.9.2 Identified by a legible, conspicuously posted sign adjacent to the switch which includes instructions for the use of the emergency shut-off switch;

8.13.2.9.3 Designed with a manual reset that must be activated at the switch before x-rays can again be produced from the control panel; and

8.13.2.9.4 Designed such that it shall be possible to produce x-rays again only from the control panel after an emergency shut-off switch has been activated.

8.13.2.10 Separate Electrical Systems. The interlock system and the emergency shut-off system shall be separate electrical and/or mechanical systems.

8.13.2.11 X-ray generation shall not be possible from within the shielded room.

8.13.3 Field Radiography.

8.13.3.1 Utilization Logs. Each registrant shall maintain current logs, which shall be kept available for inspection by the Department, showing for each x-ray machine the following information:

8.13.3.1.1 A description (or make and model number) of each x-ray machine;

8.13.3.1.2 The identity of the radiographer to whom assigned;

8.13.3.1.3 The plant or site where used and dates used; and

8.13.3.1.4 The dates each radiation machine is energized or used and number of exposures made.

8.13.3.2 Security. During each radiographic operation, the radiographer shall maintain a direct surveillance of the operation to protect against unauthorized entry into a high radiation area, except a) where the high radiation area is equipped with a control device which turns the x-ray machine off upon unauthorized entry into the high radiation area or an alarm system which visibly or audibly signals the presence of a high radiation area, or b) where the high radiation area is locked to protect against unauthorized or accidental entry.

8.13.3.3 Radiation Surveys and Survey Records. No radiographic operation shall be conducted unless calibrated, operable radiation survey instrumentation is available and used at each site where radiographic exposures are made, as described in RHB 8.4.

8.13.3.3.1 A physical radiation survey shall be conducted to determine that the radiation machine is off prior to each entry into the radiographic exposure area.

8.13.3.3.2 Survey results and records of boundary locations shall be maintained and kept available for inspection by the Department.

8.13.3.4 Personnel Monitoring. In addition to the requirements of RHB 8.11, each radiographer shall wear a pocket dosimeter or pocket chamber along with a film badge during all radiographic operations. Pocket chambers or dosimeters shall be:

8.13.3.4.1 Capable of measuring doses from zero (0) to at least two hundred milliRoentgen (200 mR);

8.13.3.4.2 Read and doses recorded daily;

8.13.3.4.3 Recharged daily or at the start of each shift;

8.13.3.4.4 Reports received from the dosimeter processor and records of the pocket dosimeter and pocket chamber readings shall be maintained for inspection by the Department; and

8.13.3.4.5 Pocket dosimeters shall be checked for correct response to radiation at periods not to exceed one (1) year. Acceptable dosimeters shall read within plus or minus thirty percent (30%) of the true exposure. Instrument calibration records shall be maintained by the registrant for the Department's inspection.

8.13.4 Gauging Devices Radiography and Other Industrial Applications. The source shall be such that no radiation is emitted except by application of an electric current through an x-ray tube. Provisions shall be made to limit both the current through the tube and the voltage across the tube, so that radiation levels do not exceed the device classification under use conditions or through circuit component failures. In the event of fire or abnormal elevated temperatures, provisions shall be made to ensure the high voltage is automatically disabled before loss of any integral shielding. This provision exempts x-ray tube sources from accident classification conditions.

8.13.4.1 A useful beam control system shall be provided in gauges whenever the useful beam is accessible and the radiation levels exceed one hundred millirem per hour (100 mrem/h) (1 mSv/h) at five centimeters (5 cm) from any accessible surface or five millirem per hour (5 mrem/h) (.05 mSv/h) at thirty centimeters (30 cm). The useful beam controls may include ,but not be limited to, a moving shutter, a moving source, or a high voltage power supply.

8.13.4.2 A yellow or amber warning light with the radiation "High Voltage On" shall be located on the control panel and on or adjacent to the source housing and shall light only when power is applied to the x-ray tube high voltage circuit.

8.13.4.3 Radiation levels. The local components of an industrial x-ray system shall be located and arranged and shall include sufficient shielding or have access control such that no radiation in any area surrounding the local component group could result in a dose to an individual present therein in excess of the dose limits given in RHB 3.4. These levels shall be met at any specified tube rating.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-64.VIII.RHB 8.13

Added by State Register Volume 47, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/26/2023.