La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § XV-436

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XV-436 - Control of Access to High Radiation Areas

A. The licensee or registrant shall ensure that each entrance or access point to a high radiation area has one or more of the following features:

1. a control device that, upon entry into the area, causes the level of radiation to be reduced below that level at which an individual might receive a deep dose equivalent of 1 mSv (0.1 rem) in one hour at 30 centimeters from the source of radiation or from any surface that the radiation penetrates;

2. a control device that energizes a conspicuous visible or audible alarm signal so that the individual entering the high radiation area and the supervisor of the activity are made aware of the entry; or

3. entryways that are locked, except during periods when access to the areas is required, with positive control over each individual entry.

B. In place of the controls required by LAC 33:XV.436.A for a high radiation area, the licensee or registrant may substitute continuous direct or electronic surveillance that is capable of preventing unauthorized entry.

C. The licensee or registrant may apply to the Office of Environmental Compliance for approval of alternative methods for controlling access to high radiation areas.

D. The licensee or registrant shall establish the controls required by LAC 33:XV.436.A and C in a way that does not prevent individuals from leaving a high radiation area.

E. The licensee or registrant is not required to control each entrance or access point to a room or other area that is a high radiation area solely because of the presence of radioactive materials prepared for transport and packaged and labeled in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation provided that:

1. the packages do not remain in the area longer than three days; and

2. the dose rate at 1 meter from the external surface of any package does not exceed 0.1 mSv (0.01 rem) per hour.

F. The licensee or registrant is not required to control entrance or access to rooms or other areas in hospitals solely because of the presence of patients containing radioactive material, provided that there are personnel in attendance who are taking the necessary precautions to prevent the exposure of individuals to radiation or radioactive material in excess of the established limits in this Chapter and to operate within the ALARA provisions of the licensee's or registrant's radiation protection program.

G. The registrant is not required to control entrance or access to rooms or other areas containing sources of radiation capable of producing a high radiation area as described in LAC 33:XV.436 if the registrant has met all the specific requirements for access and control specified in other applicable chapters of these regulations, such as, LAC 33:XV.Chapter 5 for industrial radiography, Chapter 6 for X-rays in the healing arts, and Chapter 9 for particle accelerators.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § XV-436

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Nuclear Energy Division, LR 13:569 (October 1987), amended by the Office of Air Quality and Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection Division, LR 19:1421 (November 1993), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2576 (November 2000), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 31:2529 (October 2005), LR 33:2182 (October 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq.