12VAC5-481-2840: Operating and emergency procedures

A. Licensees shall have and follow written operating procedures for:

1. Operation of the irradiator, including entering and leaving the radiation room;

2. Use of personnel dosimeters;

3. Surveying the shielding of panoramic irradiators;

4. Monitoring pool water for contamination while the water is in the pool and before release of pool water to unrestricted areas;

5. Leak testing of sources;

6. Inspection and maintenance checks required by 12VAC5-481-2880;

7. Loading, unloading, and repositioning sources if the operations will be performed by the licensee; and

8. Inspection of movable shielding required by 12VAC5-481-2730, if applicable.

B. Licensees shall have and follow written emergency or abnormal event procedures appropriate for the irradiator type for:

1. Sources stuck in the unshielded position;

2. Personnel overexposures;

3. A radiation alarm from the product exit portal monitor or pool monitor;

4. Detection of leaking sources, pool contamination, or alarm caused by contamination of pool water;

5. A low or high water level indicator, an abnormal water loss, or leakage from the source storage pool;

6. A prolonged loss of electrical power;

7. A fire alarm or explosion in the radiation room;

8. An alarm indicating unauthorized entry into the radiation room, area around pool, or another alarmed area;

9. Natural phenomena, including an earthquake, a tornado, flooding, or other phenomena as appropriate for the geographical location of the facility; and

10. The jamming of automatic conveyor systems.

C. Licensees may revise operating and emergency procedures without agency approval only if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The revisions do not reduce the safety of the facility;

2. The revisions are consistent with the outline or summary of procedures submitted with the license application;

3. The revisions have been reviewed and approved by the radiation safety officer; and

4. The users or operators are instructed and tested on the revised procedures before they are put into use.