| (i) the radiation level from the source of radiation
is reduced below that at which it would be possible for an individual
to receive a deep dose equivalent in excess of 0.1 rem (1 mSv) in
one hour; and
(ii) conspicuous visible and audible alarm signals
are generated to make potentially affected individuals aware of the
hazard and the licensee or at least one other individual, who is familiar
with the activity and prepared to render or summon assistance, aware
of the failure or removal of the physical barrier.
(D) When the shield for stored sealed sources is a
liquid, the licensee shall provide means to monitor the integrity
of the shield and to signal, automatically, loss of adequate shielding.
(E) Physical radiation barriers that comprise permanent
structural components, such as walls, that have no credible probability
of failure or removal in ordinary circumstances, need not meet the
requirements of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of this paragraph.
(F) Each area shall be equipped with devices that will
automatically generate conspicuous visible and audible alarm signals
to alert personnel in the area before the source of radiation can
be put into operation and in time for any individual in the area to
operate a clearly identified control device, which must be installed
in the area and which can prevent the source of radiation from being
put into operation.
(G) Each area shall be controlled by use of such administrative
procedures and such devices as are necessary to ensure that the area
is cleared of personnel prior to each use of the source of radiation.
(H) Each area shall be checked by a radiation measurement
to ensure that, prior to the first individual's entry into the area
after any use of the source of radiation, the radiation level from
the source of radiation in the area is below that at which it would
be possible for an individual to receive a deep dose equivalent in
excess of 0.1 rem (1 mSv) in one hour.
(I) The entry control devices required in subparagraph
(A) of this paragraph shall be tested for proper functioning. See
subsection (uu) of this section for recordkeeping requirements.
(i) Testing shall be conducted prior to initial operation
with the source of radiation on any day, unless operations were continued
uninterrupted from the previous day.
(ii) Testing shall be conducted prior to resumption
of operation of the source of radiation after any unintentional interruption.
(iii) The licensee shall submit and adhere to a schedule
for periodic tests of the entry control and warning systems.
(J) The licensee shall not conduct operations, other
than those necessary to place the source of radiation in safe condition
or to effect repairs on controls, unless control devices are functioning
properly.
(K) Entry and exit portals that are used in transporting
materials to and from the irradiation area, and that are not intended
for use by individuals, shall be controlled by such devices and administrative
procedures as are necessary to physically protect and warn against
inadvertent entry by any individual through these portals. Exit portals
for irradiated materials shall be equipped to detect and signal the
presence of any loose radioactive material that is carried toward
such an exit and automatically to prevent loose radioactive material
from being carried out of the area.
(3) Licensees or applicants for licenses for sources
of radiation within the purview of paragraph (2) of this subsection
that will be used in a variety of positions or in locations, such
as open fields or forests, which make it impracticable to comply with
certain requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection, such as
those for the automatic control of radiation levels, may apply to
the agency for approval of alternative safety measures. Alternative
safety measures shall provide personnel protection at least equivalent
to those specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection. At least one
of the alternative measures shall include an entry-preventing interlock
control based on a measurement of the radiation that ensures the absence
of high radiation levels before an individual can gain access to the
area where such sources of radiation are used.
(4) The entry control devices required by paragraphs
(2) and (3) of this subsection shall be established in such a way
that no individual will be prevented from leaving the area.
(v) Use of process or other engineering controls. The
licensee shall use, to the extent practicable, process or other engineering
controls, such as containment, decontamination, or ventilation, to
control the concentrations of radioactive material in air.
(w) Use of other controls.
(1) When it is not practicable to apply process or
other engineering controls to control the concentrations of radioactive
material in air to values below those that define an airborne radioactivity
area, the licensee shall, consistent with maintaining the total effective
dose equivalent ALARA, increase monitoring and limit intakes by one
or more of the following means:
(A) control of access;
(B) limitation of exposure times;
(C) use of respiratory protection equipment; or
(D) other controls.
(2) If the licensee performs an ALARA analysis to determine
whether respirators should be used, the licensee may consider safety
factors other than radiological factors. The licensee shall also consider
the impact of respirator use on workers' industrial health and safety.
(x) Use of individual respiratory protection equipment.
(1) If the licensee uses respiratory protection equipment
to limit intakes of radioactive material in accordance with subsection
(w) of this section, the licensee shall do the following.
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph, the licensee shall use only respiratory protection equipment
that is tested and certified by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH).
(B) If the licensee wishes to use equipment that has
not been tested or certified by the NIOSH, or for which there is no
schedule for testing or certification, the licensee shall submit an
application to the agency for authorized use of that equipment, including
a demonstration by testing, or a demonstration on the basis of test
information, that the material and performance characteristics of
the equipment are capable of providing the proposed degree of protection
under anticipated conditions of use.
(C) The licensee shall implement and maintain a respiratory
protection program that includes:
(i) air sampling sufficient to identify the potential
hazard, permit proper equipment selection, and estimate doses;
(ii) surveys and bioassays, as appropriate, to evaluate
actual intakes;
(iii) testing of respirators for operability (user
seal check for face sealing devices and functional check for others)
immediately prior to each use;
(iv) written procedures regarding the following:
(I) monitoring, including air sampling and bioassays;
(II) supervision and training of respirator users;
(III) fit testing;
(IV) respirator selection;
(V) breathing air quality;
(VI) inventory and control;
(VII) storage, issuance, maintenance, repair, testing,
and quality assurance of respiratory protection equipment;
(VIII) recordkeeping; and
(IX) limitations on periods of respirator use and relief
from respirator use;
(v) determination by a physician prior to initial fitting
of a face sealing respirator and the first field use of non-face sealing
respirators, and either every 12 months thereafter or periodically
at a frequency determined by a physician, that the individual user
is medically fit to use the respiratory protection equipment; and
(vi) fit testing, with fit factor >10 times the
APF for negative pressure devices, and a fit factor > 500 for any
positive pressure, continuous flow, and pressure-demand devices, before
the first field use of tight fitting, face-sealing respirators and
periodically thereafter at a frequency not to exceed 1 year. Fit testing
shall be performed with the facepiece operating in the negative pressure
mode.
(D) The licensee shall advise each respirator user
that the user may leave the area at any time for relief from respirator
use in the event of equipment malfunction, physical or psychological
distress, procedural or communication failure, significant deterioration
of operating conditions, or any other conditions that might require
such relief.
Cont'd... |
