La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § XV-803

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XV-803 - Equipment Requirements

A. Safety Device. A device which prevents the entry of any portion of an individual's body into the primary X-ray beam path or which causes the beam to be shut off upon entry into its path shall be provided on all open-beam configurations. A registrant or licensee may apply to the Office of Environmental Compliance for an exemption from the requirement of a safety device. Such application shall include:

1. a description of the various safety devices that have been evaluated;

2. the reason each of these devices cannot be used; and

3. a description of the alternative methods that will be employed to minimize the possibility of an accidental exposure, including procedures to assure that operators and others in the area will be informed of the absence of safety devices.

B. Warning Devices

1. Open-beam configurations shall be provided with a readily discernible indication of:

a. X-ray tube status "ON-OFF" located near the radiation source housing if the primary beam is controlled in this manner; and/or

b. shutter status "OPEN-CLOSED" located near each port on the radiation source housing if the primary beam is controlled in this manner.

2. Warning devices shall be so labeled that their purpose is easily identified. On equipment installed after December 31, 1976, warning devices shall have fail-safe characteristics.

C. Ports. Unused ports on radiation source housings shall be secured in the closed position in a manner which will prevent casual opening.

D. Labeling. All analytical X-ray equipment shall be labeled with a readily discernible sign or signs bearing the radiation caution symbol and words:

1. CAUTION-HIGH INTENSITY X-RAY BEAM, or words having a similar intent, on the X-ray source housing; and

2. CAUTION RADIATION-THIS EQUIPMENT PRODUCES RADIATION WHEN ENERGIZED, or words having a similar intent, near any switch that energizes an X-ray tube if the radiation source is an X-ray tube; or

3. CAUTION-RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, or words having a similar intent, on the source housing if the radiation source is a radionuclide.

E. Shutters. On open-beam configurations installed after December 31, 1976, each port on the radiation source housing shall be equipped with a shutter that cannot be opened unless a collimator or a coupling has been connected to the port.

F. Warning Lights

1. An easily visible warning light labeled with the words X-RAY ON, or words having a similar intent, shall be located:

a. near any switch that energizes an X-ray tube and shall be illuminated only when the tube is energized; or

b. in the case of a radioactive source, near any switch that opens a housing shutter and which shall be illuminated only when the shutter is open.

2. On equipment installed after December 31, 1976, warning lights shall have fail-safe characteristics.

G. Radiation Source Housing. Each X-ray tube housing shall be so constructed that with all shutters closed the leakage radiation measured at a distance of 5 cm from its surface is not capable of producing a dose in excess of 2.5 mrem in one hour at any specified tube rating. If radioactive sources are used, corresponding dose limits shall not exceed 2 mrem per hour.

H. Generator Cabinet. Each X-ray generator shall be supplied with a protective cabinet which limits leakage radiation measured at a distance of 5 cm from its surface so that it is not capable of producing a dose in excess of 0.25 mrem in one hour.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § XV-803

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Nuclear Energy Division, LR 13:569 (October 1987), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2591 (November 2000), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 31:2533 (October 2005), LR 33:2186 (October 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq.