10A NCAC 15 .0510 LIMITATIONS

(a) The licensee or registrant shall not permit any person to act as a radiographer until the person:

(1) has been instructed in the subjects outlined in Rule .0519 of this Section and has demonstrated understanding thereof by successful completion of a written test. The person shall also have a minimum of two months of on-the-job training, and be certified through a radiography certification program by a certifying entity in accordance with the requirements of Rule .0525 of this Section;

(2) has received copies of and instruction in the rules contained in this Section and in the applicable rules of Sections .0200, .0300, .0900 and .1600 of this Chapter, in applicable U.S. Department of Transportation regulations referenced in Rule .0117 of this Chapter, and the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures, and has demonstrated understanding thereof by successful completion of a written test;

(3) has received training in the use of the licensee or registrant's radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources, in the daily inspection of devices and associated equipment, and in the use of radiation survey instruments;

(4) has demonstrated competence to use the radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources, related handling tools, radiation machines and survey instruments which will be employed in his assignment by successful completion of a practical examination covering this material; and

(5) has demonstrated understanding of the instructions in Paragraph (a) of this Rule by successful completion of a written test on the subjects covered.

(b) The licensee or registrant shall not permit any person to act as a radiographer's assistant until the person:

(1) has received copies of and instructions in the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures, and has demonstrated understanding thereof by successful completion of a written or oral test and practical examination on the subjects covered;

(2) has demonstrated competence to use under the personal supervision of the radiographer, the radiographic exposure devices, sealed sources, related handling tools, radiation machines and radiation survey instruments which will be employed in his assignment; and

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

(c) Records of the training including copies of written tests and dates of oral tests and field examinations shall be maintained in accordance with Rule .0523 of this Section.

(d) Each licensee or registrant shall conduct an internal audit program to ensure that the agency's radioactive material license, registration conditions and the licensee's or registrant's operating and emergency procedures are followed by each radiographer and radiographer's assistant. These internal audits shall be performed and records maintained by the licensee or registrant as specified in Items (3) and (4) of Rule .0323 of this Chapter.

(e) The licensee or registrant shall provide periodic training for radiographers and radiographer's assistants at least once during every 12 months.

(f) Whenever radiography is performed outside of a permanent radiographic installation, the radiographer shall be accompanied by another radiographer or an individual with, at least, the qualifications of a radiographer's assistant. This person's responsibilities shall include but not be limited to observing the operations and being capable and prepared to provide immediate assistance to prevent unauthorized entry.

(g) A licensee or registrant may conduct lay-barge, off-shore platform, or underwater radiography only if procedures have been developed and submitted to the agency that ensure radiation exposure to the workers and the public are ALARA during the radiographic operation.

(h) The radiation safety officer shall ensure that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with approved procedures and regulatory requirements in the daily operation of the licensee's or registrant's program.

(1) The radiation safety officer's qualifications shall include:

(A) completion of the training and testing requirements of Paragraph (a) of this Rule; and

(B) Two thousand hours documented experience in industrial radiographic operations, with at least 40 hours of classroom training with respect to the establishment and maintenance of radiation protection programs; or

(2) The specific duties and authorities of the radiation safety officer shall include, but are not limited to the following:

(A) to establish and oversee operating, emergency and ALARA procedures, and to review them at least annually to assure that the procedures are current and conform with these Rules and to the license conditions;

(B) to oversee and approve all phases of the training of radiographic personnel so that appropriate and effective radiation protection practices are taught;

(C) to ensure that required radiation surveys and leak tests are performed and documented in accordance with this Rule, including any corrective measures when levels of radiation exceed established limits;

(D) to ensure that personnel monitoring devices are calibrated and used properly by occupationally-exposed personnel, that records are kept of the monitoring results, and that timely notifications are made as required by Rule .1646 of this Chapter;

(E) to assure that operations are conducted safely and to assume control and have the authority to institute corrective actions including stopping of operations when necessary in emergency situations or unsafe conditions.

History Note: Authority G.S. 104E-7; 10 C.F.R. Chapter 1, Commission Notices, Policy Statements, Agreement States, 46 F.R. 7540; 10 C.F.R. 34.43; 10 C.F.R. Appendix A;

Eff. February 1, 1980;

Amended Eff. June 1, 1993; June 1, 1989;

Temporary Amendment Eff. August 20, 1994, for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2005; April 1, 1999; May 1, 1995; June 1, 1993; June 1, 1989;

Transferred and Recodified from 15A NCAC 11 .0510 Eff. February 1, 2015;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. June 22, 2019.