South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL › Subchapter 61-63 - Radioactive Materials (Title A) › Part V - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS › Section 61-63.V.RHA 5.9 - Leak Testing, Repair, Tagging, Opening, Modification and Replacement of Sealed Sources

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
5.9.1 The replacement of any sealed source
				fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device and leak testing, repair,
				tagging, opening, or any other modification of any sealed source shall be performed
				only by persons specifically authorized to do so by the Department in accordance
				with
				RHA 5.4 the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
				Commission, or any Agreement State.
5.9.2 Each licensee who uses a sealed source shall
				have the source tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed 6 months. The leak
				testing of the source must be performed using a method approved by the Nuclear
				Regulatory Commission or by an Agreement State. The wipe sample should be taken from
				the nearest accessible point to the sealed source where contamination might
				accumulate. The wipe sample must be analyzed for radioactive contamination. The
				analysis must be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie of
				radioactive material on the test sample and must be performed by a person
				specifically authorized by the Commission or an Agreement State to perform the
				analysis.
5.9.3 Each licensee shall
				maintain records of leak test results for sealed sources and for devices containing
				DU. The results must be stated in units of microcuries (becquerels). The licensee
				shall retain each record for 3 years after it is made or until the source in storage
				is removed.
5.9.4 Any test conducted
				pursuant to RHA 5.9.2 which reveals the presence of 0.005 microcuries (185 Bq) or
				more of removable radioactive material shall be considered evidence that the sealed
				source is leaking. The licensee shall immediately withdraw the equipment involved
				from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of
				in accordance with regulations of the Department. Within five days after obtaining
				results of the leak test, the licensee shall file a report with the Department
				describing the equipment involved, the test results and the corrective action
				taken.
5.9.5 Each exposure device using
				depleted uranium (DU) shielding and an "S" tube configuration must be tested for DU
				contamination at intervals not to exceed 12 months. The analysis must be capable of
				detecting the presence of .005 microcuries (185 Bq) of radioactive material on the
				test sample and must be performed by a person specifically authorized by the
				Department or an Agreement State to perform the analysis. Should such testing reveal
				the presence of .005 microcuries (185 Bq) or more of removable DU contamination, the
				exposure device must be removed from use until an evaluation of the wear on the
				S-tube has been made. Should the evaluation reveal that the S-tube is worn through,
				the device may not be used again. DU shielded devices do not have to be tested for
				DU contamination while in storage and not in use. Before using or transferring such
				a device however, the device must be tested for DU contamination if the interval of
				storage exceeded 12 months. A record of the DU leak-test must be made in accordance
				with RHA 5.9.3. Licensees will have until May 26, 2001, to comply with the DU
				leak-testing requirements of this paragraph.
5.9.6 Unless a sealed source is accompanied by a
				certificate from the transferor that shows that it has been leak tested within 6
				months before the transfer, it may not be used by the licensee until tested for
				leakage. Sealed sources that are in storage and not in use do not require leak
				testing, but must be tested before use or transfer to another person if the interval
				of storage exceeds 6 months.