South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-64 - X-Rays (Title B)
Part III - STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION
Section 61-64.III.RHB 3.12 - Personnel Monitoring

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-64.III.RHB 3.12

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

3.12.1 All personnel dosimeters, except for direct and indirect reading pocket ionization chambers and those dosimeters used to measure the dose to any extremity, that require processing to determine the radiation dose and that are used by registrants to comply with RHB 3.4, with other applicable provisions of this regulation, or with conditions specified in a registration shall be processed and evaluated by a dosimetry processor:

3.12.1.1 Holding current personnel dosimetry accreditation from the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and

3.12.1.2 Approved in this accreditation process for the type of radiation or radiations included in the NVLAP program that most closely approximates the type of radiation or radiations for which the individual wearing the dosimeter is monitored.

3.12.2 Exposure of a personnel monitoring device to deceptively indicate a dose delivered to an individual is prohibited.

3.12.3 Personnel Monitoring Devices.

3.12.3.1 Personnel Monitoring (or other dosimeters approved by the Department) shall meet the following requirements:
3.12.3.1.1 The monitoring device shall be assigned to and worn only by one individual;

3.12.3.1.2 When a protective apron is worn, the monitoring device shall be worn at the collar, outside the apron;

3.12.3.1.3 If a personnel monitoring device is lost or damaged, the Radiation Safety Officer shall provide a replacement device. If the individual requires monitoring per RHB 3.12.4, the Radiation Safety Officer shall calculate the exposure for the time period from issuance to loss or damage of the device and evaluate the probable radiation exposure to the worker until a replacement device is issued;

3.12.3.1.4 The Registrant shall ensure that personnel monitoring devices are returned within forty-five (45) calendar days of the end of the monitoring period. All dosimeters must be read at least quarterly, the results from the readings recorded and evaluated for compliance with RHB 3.3.2 and 3.4, and be available for Departmental review;

3.12.3.1.5 Documentation providing explanation of any late, absent, or unused personnel monitoring devices must be recorded and available for Departmental review;

3.12.3.1.6 Personnel monitoring devices must be worn in accordance with manufacturer guidelines; and

3.12.3.1.7 Fetal dose dosimeters shall be read in accordance with RHB 3.12.6.

3.12.3.2 Control badges are used to measure background radiation. They shall be stored away from the radiation area. Control badges are not to be worn as a personnel monitoring device. Ensure the control badge is returned with the lot of badges with which it was issued.

3.12.3.3 Upon Departmental approval, area monitors may be used in place of personnel monitoring devices.

3.12.4 Each registrant shall monitor exposures from sources of radiation at levels sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the occupational dose limits of this Part. As a minimum:

3.12.4.1 Each registrant shall monitor occupational exposure to radiation and shall supply and require the use of individual monitoring devices by:
3.12.4.1.1 Adults likely to receive, in one (1) year from sources external to the body, a dose in excess of ten percent (10%) of the limits in RHB 3.4;

3.12.4.1.2 Minors and declared pregnant women likely to receive, in one (1) year from sources external to the body, a dose in excess of ten percent (10%) of any of the applicable limits in RHB 3.7 or 3.8; and

3.12.4.1.3 Individuals entering a high or very high radiation area.

3.12.4.1.4 Personnel working with medical fluoroscopic equipment. 3.12.4.1.5 Such other individuals as the Department deems necessary.

3.12.5 Determination of Dose

3.12.5.1 When only one (1) individual device is used and it is located at the neck (collar) outside the protective apron, the reported deep dose equivalent shall be the effective dose equivalent for external radiation, except as provided in 3.12.5.2.1.1.

3.12.5.2 The assigned deep dose equivalent and shallow dose equivalent shall be for the portion of the body receiving the highest exposure.
3.12.5.2.1 The Radiation Safety Officer may give consideration that an effective dose equivalent be used as the permanent record provided that all provisions of RHB 3.3 are met. When a protective apron is worn while working with medical fluoroscopic equipment and monitoring is conducted as specified RHB 3.12, the effective dose equivalent for external radiation shall be determined as follows:
3.12.5.2.1.1 When only one (1) individual monitoring device is used and it is located at the neck (collar) outside the protective apron, the reported deep dose equivalent value multiplied by 0.3 shall be the effective dose for external radiation; or

3.12.5.2.1.2 When individual monitoring devices are worn, both under the protective apron at the waist and outside the protective apron at the neck, the effective dose equivalent for external radiation shall be assigned the value of the sum of the deep dose equivalent reported for the individual monitoring device located at the waist under the protective apron multiplied by 1.5 and the deep dose equivalent reported for the individual monitoring device located at the neck outside the protective apron multiplied by 0.04.

3.12.5.2.2 Semi-annual visits shall be made by the Radiation Safety Officer or his or her designee for personal observation adherence to proper radiation safety practices. Documentation of these reviews must be available for Departmental review.

3.12.5.2.3 The Department may immediately revoke the use of the effective dose equivalent upon determination that a violation of RHB 3.12.5 has occurred.

3.12.5.3 Adjustments to the dose of permanent record shall be determined by the Radiation Safety Officer prior to any changes to the record. Records of these actions shall be maintained for Departmental review.

3.12.6 When an individual who has been given responsibility that involves occupational exposure to x-rays declares that she is pregnant, the employer must, at her request, provide her with an additional personnel monitoring device to be worn on the trunk underneath the leaded apron, when such apron is worn. The fetal badge shall be processed and evaluated on a monthly basis, at a minimum.

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