| (3) At an underwater irradiator, an irradiator operator shall be present at the facility whenever the product is moved into or out of the pool. Individuals who move the product into or out of the pool of an underwater irradiator need not be qualified as irradiator operators; however, they shall have received the training described in subsection (s)(6) and (7) of this section. Static irradiations may be performed without a person present at the facility. (aa) Entering and leaving the radiation room. (1) Upon first entering the radiation room of a panoramic irradiator after an irradiation, the irradiator operator shall use a survey meter to determine that the source has returned to its fully shielded position. The operator shall check the functioning of the survey meter with a radiation check source prior to entry. (2) Before exiting from and locking the door to the radiation room of a panoramic irradiator prior to a planned irradiation, the irradiator operator shall do the following: (A) visually inspect the entire radiation room to verify that no one else is in it; and (B) activate a control in the radiation room that permits the sources to be moved from the shielded position only if the door to the radiation room is locked within a preset time after setting the control. (3) During a power failure, the area around the pool of an underwater irradiator may not be entered without using an operable and calibrated radiation survey meter unless the over-the-pool monitor required by subsection (l)(2) of this section is operating with backup power. (bb) Irradiation of explosive or flammable materials. (1) Irradiation of explosive material is prohibited unless the licensee has received prior written authorization from the agency. Authorization will not be granted unless the licensee can demonstrate that detonation of the explosive would not rupture the sealed sources, injure personnel, damage safety systems, or cause radiation overexposures of personnel. (2) Irradiation of more than small quantities of flammable material (flash point below 140 degrees Fahrenheit) is prohibited in panoramic irradiators unless the licensee has received prior written authorization from the agency. Authorization will not be granted unless the licensee can demonstrate that a fire in the radiation room could be controlled without damage to sealed sources or safety systems and without radiation overexposures of personnel. (cc) Records/documents. The licensee shall maintain the following records/documents at the irradiator for the time intervals indicated for inspection by the agency: (1) a copy of the license, license conditions, documents incorporated into a license by reference, and amendments to the license until superseded by new documents or until the agency terminates the license; (2) records of each individual's training, tests, and safety reviews provided to meet the requirements of subsection (s)(1) - (4), (6), and (7) of this section until three years after the individual terminates work; (3) records of the annual evaluations of the safety performance of irradiator operators required by subsection (s)(5) of this section for three years after the evaluation; (4) a copy of the current operating, safety, and emergency procedures required by subsection (t) of this section until superseded or the agency terminates the license. Records of the RSO review and approval of changes in procedures as required by subsection (t)(3)(C) of this section, retained for three years from the date of the change; (5) film badge, TLD, or OSL results required by subsection (u) of this section until the agency terminates the license; (6) records of radiation surveys required by subsection (v) of this section for three years from the date of the survey; (7) records of radiation survey meter calibrations required by subsection (v) of this section and pool water conductivity meter calibrations required by subsection (y)(2) of this section until three years from the date of calibration; (8) records of the results of leak tests required by subsection (w)(1) of this section and the results of contamination checks required by subsection (w)(2) of this section for three years from the date of each test; (9) records of inspection and maintenance checks required by subsection (x) of this section for three years; (10) records of major malfunctions, significant defects, operating difficulties or irregularities, and major operating problems that involve required radiation safety equipment for three years after repairs are completed; (11) records of the receipt, transfer and disposal, of all licensed sealed sources as required by §289.201(d) and §289.252(x) and (cc) of this title; (12) records on the design checks required by subsection (q) of this section and the construction control checks as required by subsection (r) of this section until the license is terminated. The records shall be signed and dated. The title or qualification of the person signing shall be included; and (13) records related to decommissioning of the irradiator as required by §289.252(gg)(7) of this title. (dd) Reports. (1) In addition to the reporting requirements in other sections of this title, the licensee shall report the following events if not reported in accordance with other sections of this title: (A) source stuck in an unshielded position; (B) any fire or explosion in a radiation room; (C) damage to the source racks; (D) failure of the cable or drive mechanism used to move the source racks; (E) inoperability of the access control system; (F) detection of radiation source by the product exit monitor; (G) detection of radioactive contamination attributable to licensed radioactive material; (H) structural damage to the pool liner or walls; (I) abnormal water loss or leakage from the source storage pool; and (J) pool water conductivity exceeding 100 microsiemens per centimeter during normal operations. (2) The report shall include a telephone report within 24 hours as described in §289.202(xx)(8)(A) of this title, and a written report within 30 days as described in §289.202(xx)(8)(B) of this title. |
| Source Note: The provisions of this §289.258 adopted to be effective August 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 6628; amended to be effective October 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 9618; amended to be effective May 1, 2008, 33 TexReg 3417 |
