Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 216 - Department of health › Chapter 40 - Professional licensing and facility regulation › Subchapter 20 - Radiation › Part 4 - Medical Diagnostic and Interventional X-Ray and Imaging Systems › Section 216-RICR-40-20-4.6 - Radiographic Equipment

Current through June 14, 2024
4.6.1
Applicability
The provisions of §
											4.6   of this Part apply to all
					 non-dental registrants using diagnostic X-ray equipment. X-ray systems subject
					 to §
											4.6   of this Part shall also
					 meet the requirements of §
											4.4   of this Part.
					 Requirements specific to using dental intra-oral, hand held, panoramic, and
					 cephalometric equipment are in §§
											4.13  and
					  4.14   of this Part. The
					 useful beam shall be limited to the area of clinical interest.
4.6.2
Radiation Exposure Control
A. Exposure Initiation. Means shall be
				  provided to initiate the radiation exposure by a deliberate action on the part
				  of the operator, such as the depression of a switch. Radiation exposure shall
				  not be initiated without such an action. In addition, it shall not be possible
				  to initiate an exposure when the timer is set to a "zero" or "off" position if
				  either position is provided.
B.
				  Exposure Indication. Means shall be provided for visual indication observable
				  at or from the operator's protected position whenever X-rays are produced. In
				  addition, a signal audible to the operator shall indicate that the exposure has
				  terminated.
C. Operator Protection,
				  Except Veterinary Systems
1. Stationary
				  Radiographic Systems. Stationary radiographic systems shall be required to have
				  the X-ray control, including the exposure switch, permanently mounted in a
				  protected area so that the operator is required to remain in that protected
				  area during the entire exposure.
2.
				  Mobile and Portable Systems. Mobile and portable X-ray systems which are:
a. Used continuously for greater than one (1)
				  week in the same location (i.e., a room or suite) shall meet the requirements
				  of §4.6.2(C)(1)
				  of this Part;
b. Used for less than
				  one (1) week at the same location shall be provided with either a protective
				  barrier at least two meters (2 m) (six and one half feet (6.5')) high for
				  operator protection during exposures or means shall be provided to allow the
				  operator to be at least two and seven tenths meters (2.7 m) (nine feet (9'))
				  from the tube housing assembly during the exposure.
3. Podiatry Systems. Podiatry facilities
				  shall meet the protection requirements in §4.6.2(C)(2)(b)
				  of this Part.
D.
				  Operator and Ancillary Personnel Protection for Veterinary Systems
1. All stationary, mobile or portable X-ray
				  systems used for veterinary work shall be provided with either a two meter (2
				  m) (six and one half feet (6.5')) high protective barrier for operator
				  protection during exposures or shall be provided with means to allow the
				  operator to be at least two and seven tenths meters (2.7 m) (nine feet (9'))
				  from the tube housing assembly during exposures. Otherwise, in cases where
				  animals are held, the operator and ancillary personnel shall be protected by a
				  minimum of twenty-five one hundredths millimeter (0.25 mm) lead equivalent from
				  scatter radiation and one half millimeter (0.5 mm) from the useful beam. Refer
				  to §
												4.13   of this Part for
				  hand-held intraoral dental radiographic units used in veterinary
				  practice.