34.43 Radiation surveys.

34.44 Supervision of radiographers' assistants.

EXEMPTIONS

34.51 Applications for exemptions. APPENDIX A

AUTHORITY: Secs. 81, 161, 182, 183, 68 Stat. 935, 948, 953, 954, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 2111, 2201, 2232, 2233. For the purposes of sec. 223, 68 Stat. 958, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2273, §§ 34.11(d), 34.25(c), 34.26, 34.27, 34.28(b), 34.29(c), 34.31(c), 34.33(b), 34.33(e), and 34.43(c) issued under sec. 1610, 68 Stat. 950, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2201(0), unless otherwise noted.

SOURCE: 30 FR 8198, June 26, 1965, unless otherwise noted.

§ 34.1 Purpose and scope.

This part prescribes requirements for the issuance of licenses for the use of sealed sources containing byproduct material and radiation safety requirements for persons using such sealed sources in radiography. The provisions and requirements of this part are in addition to, and not in substitution for, other requirements of this chapter. In particular, the provisions of Part 30 of this chapter apply to applications and licenses subject to this part. Nothing in this part shall apply to uses of byproduct material for medical diagnosis or therapy.

(c) "Radiographer's assistant" means any individual who under the personal supervision of a radiographer, uses radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources or related handling tools, or radiation survey instruments in radiography;

(d) "Radiographic exposure device" means any instrument containing a sealed source fastened or contained therein, in which the sealed source or shielding thereof may be moved, or otherwise changed, from a shielded to unshielded position for purposes of making a radiographic exposure;

(e) "Sealed source" means any byproduct material that is encased in a capsule designed to prevent leakage or escape of the byproduct material;

(f) "Storage container" means device in which sealed sources transported or stored.

a

are

(g) "Source changer" means a device designed and used for replacement of sealed sources in radiographic exposure devices, including those also used for transporting and storage of sealed sources;

(h) "Permanent radiographic installation" means a shielded installation or structure designed or intended for radiography and in which radiography is regularly performed.

(Secs. 81, 161, Pub. L. 83-703, 68 Stat. 935, 948 (42 U.S.C. 2111, 2201); sec. 201, Pub. L. 93-438, 88 Stat. 1242 (42 U.S.C. 5841))

[30 FR 8198, June 26, 1965, as amended at 44 FR 50807, Aug. 30, 1979]

(a) The applicant satisfies the general requirements specified in § 30.33 of this chapter;

(b) The applicant will have an adequate program for training radiographers and radiographers' assistants and submits to the Commission a schedule or description of such program which specifies the: (1) Initial training; (2) Periodic training; (3) On-the-job training;

(4) Means to be used by the licensee to determine the radiographer's knowledge and understanding of and ability to comply with Commission regulations and licensing requirements, and the operating and emergency procedures of the applicant; and (5) Means to be used by the licensee to determine the radiographer's assistant's knowledge and understanding of and ability to comply with the operating and emergency procedures of the applicant;

(c) The applicant has established and submits to the Commission satisfactory written operating and emergency procedures as described in § 34.32;

(d) The applicant will have an internal inspection system adequate to assure that Commission regulations, Commission license provisions, and the applicant's operating and emergency procedures are followed by radiographers and radiographers' assistants; the inspection system shall include the performance of internal inspections at intervals not to exceed three months and the retention of records of such inspections for two years;

(e) The applicant submits a description of its over-all organizational structure pertaining to the radiography program, including specified delegations of authority and responsibility for operation of the program; and

(f) The applicant who desires to conduct his own leak tests has established adequate procedures to be followed in leak testing sealed sources, for possible leakage and contamination and submits to the Commission a description of such procedures including:

(1) Instrumentation to be used,

(2) Method of performing test, e.g., points on equipment to be smeared and method of taking smear, and

(3) Pertinent experience of the person who will perform the test.

(Secs. 81, 161, Pub. L. 83-703, 68 Stat. 935, 948 (42 U.S.C. 2111, 2201); sec. 201, Pub. L. 93-438, 88 Stat. 1242 (42 U.S.C. 5841))

[30 FR 8198, June 26, 1965, as amended at 44 FR 50807, Aug. 30, 1979]

Subpart B-Radiation Safety Requirements

EQUIPMENT CONTROL

§ 34.21 Limits on levels of radiation for radiographic exposure devices and storage containers.

Radiographic exposure devices measuring less than four (4) inches from the sealed source storage position to any exterior surface of the device shall have no radiation level in excess of 50 milliroentgens per hour at six (6) inches from any exterior surface of the device. Radiographic exposure devices measuring a minimum of four (4) inches from the sealed source storage position to any exterior surface of the device, and all storage containers for sealed sources or for radiographic exposure devices, shall have no radiation level in excess of 200 milliroentgens per hour at any exterior surface, and ten (10) milliroentgens per hour at one meter from any exterior surface. The radiation levels specified are with the sealed source in the shielded (i.e., "off") position.

shielded position each time the source is returned to that position.

(b) Each sealed source storage container and source changer shall have a lock or outer locked container designed to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the sealed source from its shielded position. Storage containers and source changers shall be kept locked when containing sealed sources except when under the direct surveillance of a radiographer or a radiographer's assistant.

(Secs. 81, 161, Pub. L. 83-703, 68 Stat. 935, 948 (42 U.S.C. 2111, 2201); sec. 201, Pub. L. 93-438, 88 Stat. 1242 (42 U.S.C. 5841))

[44 FR 50807, Aug. 30, 1979]

§ 34.23 Storage precautions.

Locked radiographic exposure devices and storage containers shall be physically secured to prevent tampering or removal by unauthorized personnel.

§ 34.24 Radiation survey instruments.

The licensee shall maintain sufficient calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments to make physical radiation surveys as required by this part and Part 20 of this chapter. Each radiation survey instrument shall be calibrated at intervals not to exceed three months and after each instrument servicing and a record shall be maintained of the results of each instrument calibration and date thereof for two years after the date of calibration. Instrumentation required by this section shall have a range such that two milliroentgens per hour through one roentgen per hour can be measured.

[30 FR 8198, June 26, 1965, as amended at 41 FR 18302, May 3, 1976]

§ 34.25 Leak testing, repair, tagging, opening, modification and replacement of sealed sources.

(a) The replacement of any sealed source fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device and leak testing, repair, tagging, opening or any other modification of any sealed source shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized by the Commission to do so.

(b) Each sealed source shall be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed 6 months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the 6 months prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested.

(c) The leak test shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie of removable contamination on the sealed source. An acceptable leak test for sealed sources in the possession of a radiography licensee would be to test at the nearest accessible point to the sealed source storage position, or other appropriate measuring point, by a procedure to be approved pursuant to § 34.11(f). Records of leak test results shall be kept in units of microcuries and maintained for inspection by the Commission for six months after the next required leak test is performed or until the sealed source is transferred or disposed of.

(d) Any test conducted pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section which reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie or more of removable radioactive material shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking. The licensee shall immediately withdraw the equipment involved from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of, in accordance with Commission regulations. A report shall be filed, within 5 days of the test, with the Director of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555 describing the equipment involved, the test results, and the corrective action taken. A copy of such report shall be sent to the Director of the appropriate Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Inspection and Enforcement Regional Office listed in Appendix D of Part 20 of this chapter "Standards for Protection Against Radiation."

(e) A sealed source which is not fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device shall have permanently attached to it a durable tag at least one (1) inch square bearing the prescribed radiation caution symbol in conventional colors, magenta or purple on a yellow background, and at least the instructions: "Danger-Radioac

tive Material-Do Not Handle-Notify Civil Authorities if Found."

[30 FR 8198, June 26, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 1271, Jan. 11, 1973; 40 FR 8786, Mar. 3, 1975; 41 FR 18302, May 3, 1976]

§ 34.26 Quarterly inventory.

Each licensee shall conduct a quarterly physical inventory to account for all sealed sources received and possessed under this license. The records of the inventories shall be maintained for two years from the date of the inventory for inspection by the Commission, and shall include the quantities and kinds of byproduct material, location of sealed sources, and the date of the inventory.

[41 FR 18302, May 3, 1976]

§ 34.27 Utilization logs.

Each licensee shall maintain current logs, which shall be kept available for two years from the date of the recorded event, for inspection by the Commission, at the address specified in the license, showing for each sealed source the following information:

(a) A description (or make and model number) of the radiographic exposure device or storage container in which the sealed source is located;

(b) The identity of the radiographer to whom assigned; and

(c) The plant or site where used and dates of use.

[30 FR 8198, June 26, 1965, as amended at 41 FR 18302, May 3, 1976]

§ 34.28 Inspection and maintenance of radiographic exposure devices, storage containers, and source changers.

(a) The licensee shall check for obvious defects in radiographic exposure devices, storage containers, and source changers prior to use each day the equipment is used.

(b) The licensee shall conduct a program for inspection and maintenance of radiographic exposure devices, storage containers, and source changers at intervals not to exceed three months or prior to the first use thereafter to assure proper functioning of components important to safety. Records of these inspections and maintenance shall be kept for two years.

90-029 0-82--21

(Secs. 81, 161, Pub. L. 83-703, 68 Stat. 935, 948 (42 U.S.C. 2111, 2201); sec. 201, Pub. L. 93-438, 88 Stat. 1242 (42 U.S.C. 5841))

[44 FR 50807, Aug. 30, 1979]

§ 34.29 Permanent radiographic installations.

(a) Permanent radiographic installations having high radiation area entrance controls of the types described in 20.203(c) (2)(ii), (2)(iii), or (4) of this chapter shall also meet the following special requirement.

(b) Each entrance that is used for personnel access to the high radiation area in a permanent radiographic installation to which this section applies shall have both visible and audible warning signals to warn of the presence of radiation. The visible signal shall be actuated by radiation whenever the source is exposed. The audible signal shall be actuated when an attempt is made to enter the installation while the source is exposed.

(c) The alarm system shall be tested at intervals not to exceed three months or prior to the first use thereafter of the source in the installation. Records of the tests shall be kept for two years.

(Secs. 81, 161, Pub. L. 83-703, 68 Stat. 935, 948 (42 U.S.C. 2111, 2201); sec. 201, Pub. L. 93-438, 88 Stat. 1242 (42 U.S.C. 5841)) [44 FR 50807, Aug. 30, 1979]

PERSONAL RADIATION SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOGRAPHERS AND RADIOGRAPHERS' ASSISTANTS

§ 34.31 Training.

(a) The licensee shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer until such individual:

(1) Has been instructed in the subjects outlined in Appendix A of this part;

(2) Has received copies of and instruction in NRC regulations contained in this part and in the applicable sections of Parts 19 and 20 of this chapter, NRC license(s) under which the radiographer will perform radiography, and the licensee's operating and emergency procedures;

(3) Has demonstrated competence to use the licensee's radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources, related

handling tools, and survey instruments; and

(4) Has demonstrated understanding of the instructions in this paragraph (a) by successful completion of a written test and a field examination on the subjects covered.

(b) The licensee shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer's assistant until such individual:

(1) Has received copies of and instruction in the licensee's operating and emergency procedures;

(2) Has demonstrated competence to use, under the personal supervision of the radiographer, the radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources, related handling tools, and radiation survey instruments that the assistant will use;

and

(3) Has demonstrated understanding of the instructions in this paragraph (b) by successfully completing a written or oral test and a field examination on the subjects covered.

(c) Records of the above training, including copies of written tests and dates of oral tests and field examinations, shall be maintained for three years.

(Secs. 81, 161, Pub. L. 83-703, 68 Stat. 935, 948 (42 U.S.C. 2111, 2201); sec. 201, Pub. L. 93-438, 88 Stat. 1242 (42 U.S.C. 5841)) [44 FR 50808, Aug. 30, 1979]

§ 34.32 Operating and emergency procedures.

The licensee's operating and emergency procedures shall include instructions in at least the following:

(a) The handling and use of licensed sealed sources and radiographic exposure devices to be employed such that no person is likely to be exposed to radiation doses in excess of the limits established in Part 20 of this chapter "Standards for Protection Against Radiation";

(b) Methods and occasions for conducting radiation surveys;

(c) Methods for controlling access to radiographic areas;

(d) Methods and occasions for locking and securing radiographic exposure devices, storage containers and sealed sources;