Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: The Cabinet for Human
Resources is authorized by
KRS
211.844 to regulate the possession or use of
sources of ionizing or electronic product radiation and to regulate the
handling and disposal of radioactive waste. The purpose of this administrative
regulation is to provide requirements for the possession, use or operation of
cabinet x-ray systems.
Section 1.
Applicability. This administrative regulation shall apply to persons who
possess, use or operate cabinet x-ray systems. This administrative regulation
does not apply to microscopic analytical x-ray systems.
Section 2. For cabinet x-ray systems
installed prior to April 10, 1975, the systems shall:
(1) Have the radiation machine and objects
exposed thereto, within a permanent enclosure, within which no person is
permitted to remain during the generation of x-radiation.
(2) Have adequate interlocks provided so that
if doors or panels to the enclosure are opened, the radiation-producing machine
is shut off automatically. After shutoff, it shall be possible to restore the
machine to full operation only from the control panel outside the
room.
(3) If the enclosure is of a
size or is so arranged that the operator cannot readily determine whether the
enclosure is unoccupied, there shall be provided:
(a) Audible or visible warning signals within
the enclosure which are required to be activated before irradiation can be
started.
(b) Suitable means of
exit, so that a person who accidentally may be shut in can leave the enclosure
without delay, or effective means within the enclosure for preventing or
quickly interrupting the irradiation, and which cannot be reset from outside
the enclosure.
(4)
Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the exposure at
accessible regions two (2) inches from the outside surface of the enclosure
cannot exceed five-tenths (0.5) milliroentgen in one (1) hour.
(5) If the registrant has submitted operating
and safety procedures, and the cabinet has approved the procedures, which can
show that an individual cannot receive a radiation dose in excess of the limits
specified in these administrative regulations, the radiation levels specified
in subsection (4) of this section may be exceeded. However, cabinet x-ray
systems under this subsection shall not exceed the limits specified below:
(a) The exposure at accessible and occupied
areas one (1) foot from the outside surface of the enclosure shall not exceed
ten (10) milliroentgens in one (1) hour.
(b) The exposure at accessible and normally
unoccupied areas one (1) foot from the outside surface of the enclosure shall
not exceed 100 milliroentgens in one (1) hour.
(6) Operating procedures.
(a) Before a new installation is placed in
routine operation, a radiation protection survey shall be made. This shall also
be done after changes in an existing installation which might affect its
radiation safety.
(b) A copy of
each radiation protection survey shall be signed and dated by the surveyor, and
kept on file by the individual in charge of the installation.
(c) The installation shall be operated in
conformance with recommendations of the protection survey.
(d) The registrant shall designate a
competent employee as the radiation safety officer.
Section 3. For cabinet x-ray
systems installed on or after April 10, 1975, systems shall:
(1) Have the radiation machine and objects
exposed thereto, within a permanent enclosure, within which no person is
permitted to remain during the generation of x-radiation.
(2) Be so constructed that radiation emitted
from the cabinet x-ray system shall not exceed an exposure of five-tenths (0.5)
milliroentgen in one (1) hour at points five (5) centimeters outside the
external surface.
(3) Have a
permanent floor. Support surfaces to which a cabinet x-ray system is
permanently affixed may be deemed the floor of the system.
(4) Be so constructed that the insertion of
part of the human body through ports or apertures shall not be
possible.
(5) Be so constructed
that each door of a cabinet x-ray system has a minimum of two (2) safety
interlocks. One (1), but not both of the required interlocks, shall be
configured in a manner that door opening results in physical disconnection of
the energy supply circuit to the high-voltage generator, and this disconnection
shall not be dependent upon moving parts other than the door.
(6) Be so constructed that each access panel
shall have at least one (1) safety interlock.
(7) Following interruption of x-ray
generation by the functioning of a safety interlock, use of a control provided
in accordance with subsection (10)(b) of this section shall be necessary for
resumption of x-ray generation.
(8)
Be so constructed that failure of a single component of the cabinet x-ray
system shall not cause failure of more than one (1) required safety
interlock.
(9) Be so constructed
that a ground fault shall not result in the generation of x-rays.
(10) For systems to which this section is
applicable, there shall be provided:
(a) A
key-actuated control to insure that x-ray generation is not possible with the
key removed.
(b) A control or
controls to initiate and terminate the generation of x-rays other than by
functioning of a safety interlock of the main power control.
(c) Two (2) independent means which indicate
if and only if x-rays are being generated, unless the x-ray generation period
is less than one-half (1/2) second, then the indicators shall be activated for
one-half (1/2) second, and which are discernible from points 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 paragraph may be a milliammeter labeled to indicate x-ray tube current.
Other indicators shall be legibly labeled "X-RAY ON."
(d) Additional means other than milliammeters
which indicate if and only if x-rays are being generated, unless the x-ray
generation period is less than one-half (1/2) second then the indicators shall
be activated for one-half (1/2) second, to insure that at least one (1)
indicator is visible from each door, access panel, and port, and is legibly
labeled "X-RAY ON."
(11)
For cabinet x-ray systems designed to admit humans, there shall also be
provided:
(a) 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.
(b) No means by which x-ray generation can be
initiated from within the cabinet.
(c) Audible and visible warning signals
within the cabinet which are activated for at least ten (10) seconds
immediately prior to the first initiation of x-ray generation after closing
doors designed to admit humans. Failure of a single component of the cabinet
x-ray system shall not cause failure of both the audible and visible warning
signals.
(d) A visible warning
signal within the cabinet which remains actuated if and only if x-rays are
being generated, unless the x-ray period is less than one-half (1/2) second
then the indicators shall be activated for one-half (1/2) second.
(e) Signs indicating the meaning of the
warning signals specified in subsection (11)(c) and (d) of this section and
containing instructions for the use of the control specified in subsection
(11)(a) of this section. These signs shall be legible, accessible to view, and
illuminated if the main power control is in the "on" position.
(f) The designated operator(s) shall have a
copy of the manufacturer's operating procedures and maintenance manual for the
equipment being used and shall have been instructed in the proper techniques of
equipment utilization.
(g) Tests
for proper operation of interlock and door seal systems shall be conducted and
recorded at intervals not to exceed one (1) month.
(12) Have permanently affixed or inscribed on
the cabinet x-ray system at the location of 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."
(13) Have 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."
(14) Additional requirements for x-ray
baggage inspection systems. X-ray systems designed primarily for the inspection
of carryon baggage at airline, railroad, and bus terminals, and at similar
facilities, shall be provided with means specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this subsection, to insure operator presence at the control area in a position
which permits surveillance of the ports and doors during generation of
x-radiation.
(a) During an exposure or preset
succession of exposures of one-half (1/2) second or greater duration, the means
provided shall enable the operator to terminate the exposure or preset
succession of exposures at once.
(b) During an exposure or preset succession
of exposures of less than one-half (1/2) second duration, the means provided
may allow completion of the exposure in progress but shall enable the operator
to prevent additional exposures.