Current through September 17, 2024
In addition to the requirements in section 003 through 007,
the following requirements apply to all open-beam radiation generating devices
not otherwise addressed in this chapter.
009.01
SAFETY
DEVICE. Safety devices must meet the following requirements:
(A) The registrant must document their
justification of the use of open-beam instead of closed-beam x-ray
systems;
(B) If the registrant uses
an open-beam system, the registrant must consider a safety device which
prevents the entry of any portion of the operator's body into the path of the
primary beam or which causes the primary beam to be shut off upon entry into
its path;
(C) If the registrant's
use of the open-beam radiation generating device does not permit the use of a
safety device to prevent direct body exposure, the registrant must maintain a
written record of the various safety devices that have been evaluated and
reasons for why these devices cannot be used. These records must be available
onsite for inspection;
(D) In place
of the safety device described in subsection 009.01(B) above, the registrant
must use alternative methods to minimize the possibility of unnecessary
exposure. The registrant must maintain documentation describing the alternative
methods. This documentation must be available for inspection as long as these
methods are employed, plus an additional three years; and
(E) The safety device requirement may be met
for portable open-beam radiation generating devices that are manufactured to be
used hand held, or potentially used as hand held, without safety devices, by
complying with all the requirements in section 009 prior to use.
009.02
X-RAY ON
STATUS. Open-beam radiation generating devices must be provided
with a visible and active indication of:
(i)
X-ray tube "on-off" status located near the radiation source housing. The
warning lights as required by subsection 003.01(A) can meet this requirement if
the warning lights are visible by anyone near the primary beam;
(ii) Shutter "open-closed" status located at
the control panel and near each beam port on the radiation source housing, if
the primary beam is controlled with a shutter. The shutter status device must
be clearly labeled as to the meaning of the device status. The status light at
the control panel can meet the requirement for the status light at the beam
port if the status light at the control panel is visible by anyone near the
primary beam.
009.02(A) The x-ray
tube "on-off" status indicator and the shutter "open-closed" status indicators
must be of a fail-safe design.
009.03
SHUTTERS. On
open-beam configurations installed after June 27, 1983, each port on the
radiation source housing must be equipped with a shutter that cannot be opened
unless a collimator or a coupling has been connected to the port.
009.04
PRIMARY BEAM ATTENUATION.
In cases where the primary x-ray beam is not intercepted by the
detector device under all conditions of operation, protective measures must be
provided to avoid exposure to any individual from the transmitted primary x-ray
beam.
009.05
OPERATOR
ATTENDANCE. The operator must be in immediate attendance at all
times when the equipment is in operation except when the area is locked or the
equipment is secured to protect against unauthorized or accidental
entry.
009.06
CONTROL
OF ACCESS. If the radiation generating device is not in a
restricted area and is capable of creating a radiation area or a high radiation
area, the operator must be able to control access to the radiation generating
device at all times during operation and meet the following requirements:
(A) Radiation areas must be clearly
identified. The radiation source must be within a visible perimeter that meets
the posting requirements of 180 NAC 4-034.01. The operator must ensure that no
one is inside or enters the radiation area during operation of the radiation
generating device;
(B) High
radiation areas must be clearly identified. The radiation source must be within
a visible perimeter that meets the posting requirements of 180 NAC
4-034. The operator must ensure that
no one is inside or enters the high radiation area during operation of the
radiation generating device;
(C)
The operator must perform a visual check of the controlled area to ensure it is
free of all unauthorized personnel immediately prior to activating the
radiation source;
(D) Surveillance
of the exposure area must be maintained during operation, either visually or by
other reliable means to ensure that no individual enters the area;
(E) During the initial exposure, the
radiation levels must be measured around the perimeter of the controlled area.
The perimeter must be adjusted accordingly to meet the access control
requirement for radiation areas or high radiation areas; and
(F) The survey around the perimeter must be
made for each new operating condition and the perimeter adjusted accordingly.
The area of operation must be monitored periodically if radiation levels are
variable.
