10A NCAC 15 .0610         VETERINARY MEDICINE RADIOGRAPHIC INSTALLATIONS

(a)  The provisions of this Rule shall apply only to veterinary medicine radiographic installations.  Radiographic equipment used in veterinary medicine radiographic installations shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           The protective tube housing shall be of the diagnostic type.

(2)           Diaphragms or cones shall be provided for collimating the useful beam to the area of the image receptor and shall provide the same degree of protection as is required in the housing.

(3)           The total filtration permanently in the useful beam shall not be less than 0.5 millimeters aluminum equivalent for machines operating up to 50 kVp, 1.5 millimeters aluminum equivalent for machines operating between 50‑70 kVp, and 2.5 millimeters aluminum equivalent for machines operating above 70 kVp.

(4)           A device shall be provided to terminate the exposure after a preset time or exposure.

(5)           A dead‑man type of exposure switch shall be provided, together with an electrical cord of sufficient length, so that the operator can stand out of the useful beam and at least six feet from the animal during all x‑ray exposures or behind a protective barrier adequate to assure compliance with Rules .1604 and .1611 of this Chapter.

(b)  All wall, ceiling and floor areas shall be equivalent to or provided with primary and secondary protective barriers necessary to comply with Rules .1604 and .1611 of this Chapter.

(c)  Operating procedures shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           The operator shall stand well away from the useful beam and the animal during radiographic exposures.

(2)           No individual other than the operator shall be in the x‑ray room while exposures are being made unless such individual's assistance is required.

(3)           When an animal must be held in position during radiography, mechanical supporting or restraining devices shall be used; except if the animal must be held by an individual, that individual shall be protected with appropriate shielding devices, such as protective gloves and apron, and shall be so positioned that no part of the individual's body will be struck by the useful beam.  The exposure of any professional staff or ancillary personnel used for this purpose shall be monitored and permanently recorded.  Exposures shall comply with Rules .1604 and .1609 of this Chapter.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 104E‑7;

Eff. February 1, 1980;

Amended Eff. January 1, 1994; November 1, 1989;

Transferred and Recodified from 15A NCAC 11 .0610 Eff. February 1, 2015.