N.J. Admin. Code § 7:28-20.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:28-20.6 - Training program on the safe use of each particle accelerator

(a) The registrant shall establish and maintain a training program on the safe use of each particle accelerator. The registrant shall not permit any person to operate the particle accelerator until that person has successfully completed the training program consisting of the 10 items set out below. The registrant shall ensure that the training program is conducted under the direction of the PASO or an individual with equivalent qualifications in conjunction with the qualified machine operator and that the program shall include all of the following:

1. Instruction in the types, characteristics, location, and levels of radiation produced by the particle accelerator;

2. Instruction in the units of radiation exposure, dose, dose equivalent, and quantity of radioactivity associated with the particle accelerator;

3. Instruction in the biological effects of ionizing radiation;

4. Instruction in the methods used to prevent radiation exposure at the particle accelerator facility, including, but not limited to, time, distance, shielding, interlock system, safety procedures and radiation monitoring equipment;

5. Instruction in the use and care of personnel monitoring equipment employed at the particle accelerator facility;

6. Instruction on the location and use of all operating controls for the particle accelerator;

7. Instruction on the requirements of this subchapter and N.J.A.C. 7:28-1 through 8, 10, and 13;

8. Instruction in the facility's written operating and emergency procedures;

9. An examination testing the operator's knowledge of the requirements of (a)1 through 8 above. The examination shall be of sufficient depth to demonstrate that the operator has received instruction in each of the items listed above and has an understanding of the items at a level which permits the operator to use the particle accelerator in a manner consistent with the overriding goal of minimizing danger to public health and safety; and

10. At least 100 documented hours of on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a qualified machine operator and certified in writing by the PASO. The registrant shall maintain this documentation and certification for five years at the particle accelerator facility. These records shall be produced for review by the Department during an inspection and shall be submitted to the Department upon request. If, in the opinion of the PASO, the requirement of 100 hours of on-the-job training is too stringent for a particular particle accelerator, then the PASO shall submit a report documenting the number of hours of on-the-job training needed to become a qualified operator to the Department for approval.

(b) The registrant shall require each operator to become requalified not less than once every three years by completing a refresher training course covering the requirements of (a)1 through 9 above. The registrant shall maintain a record of each individual's completion of the refresher training course for five years at the particle accelerator facility. These records shall be produced for review by the Department during an inspection and shall be submitted to the Department upon request.

(c) A registrant may permit a person to function as an operator's assistant under the direct supervision of a qualified machine operator until that person has completed a training course covering the requirements of (a)1 through 10 above.

(d) The registrant shall maintain records of the operator's training program, including a copy of the examination, for at least five years at the particle accelerator facility. These records shall be produced for review by the Department during an inspection and shall be submitted to the Department upon request.

(e) Prior to operation of any particle accelerator after February 3, 1992, the registrant shall document in writing the name of each individual who operated a particle accelerator prior to February 3, 1992 and whom the PASO and the Radiation Protection Committee have certified as the first qualified machine operator for each particle accelerator. The registrant shall maintain this documentation for five years at the particle accelerator facility and shall produce it for review by the Department during an inspection. After February 3, 1992, an individual is required to complete all items in (a) above in order to become a qualified machine operator.

(f) When a new particle accelerator facility commences operation or places into operation a newly invented particle accelerator, the PASO and the Radiation Protection Committee shall document in writing the name and qualifications of the individual whom they have certified as the first qualified machine operator. Any subsequent machine operator shall be subject to the provisions of (a) above.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:28-20.6

Amended by 46 N.J.R. 768(a), effective 5/5/2014.