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Version of document from 2006-03-22 to 2008-04-16:

Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations

SOR/2000-207

NUCLEAR SAFETY AND CONTROL ACT

Registration 2000-05-31

Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations

P.C. 2000-787  2000-05-31

Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Natural Resources, pursuant to section 44 of the Nuclear Safety and Control ActFootnote a, hereby approves the annexed Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations made by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on May 31, 2000.

Interpretation and Application

Interpretation

 The definitions in this section apply in these Regulations.

Act

Act means the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. (Loi)

certificate

certificate means a document issued by the Commission or by a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(a) or (b) of the Act, indicating that prescribed equipment or a person is certified. (attestation ou homologation)

certified

certified means certified by the Commission under paragraph 21(1)(h) or (i) of the Act or by a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(a) or (b) of the Act. (homologué)

Class II prescribed equipment

Class II prescribed equipment has the meaning assigned to that term by section 1 of the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations. (équipement réglementé de catégorie II)

depleted uranium

depleted uranium means uranium that contains uranium 235 in a concentration that is less than that normally found in nature. (uranium appauvri)

dosimeter

dosimeter means a device for measuring a dose of radiation that is worn or carried by an individual. (dosimètre)

exemption quantity

exemption quantity means

  • (a) in respect of a radioactive nuclear substance set out in column 1 of the schedule, the corresponding quantity set out in column 2 of the schedule;

  • (b) in respect of a radioactive nuclear substance that is not set out in column 1 of the schedule,

    • (i) 10 kBq, where the atomic number of the substance is equal to or less than 81,

    • (ii) 10 kBq, where the atomic number of the substance is greater than 81 and the substance, or its short-lived radioactive progeny, does not emit alpha radiation, and

    • (iii) 500 Bq, where the atomic number of the substance is greater than 81 and the substance or its short-lived radioactive progeny emits alpha radiation; and

  • (c) in respect of more than one radioactive nuclear substance, any combined quantity of those substances in which the sum of the quotients obtained by dividing the quantity of each substance by its corresponding exemption quantity, as referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), is equal to, or greater than one. (quantité d’exemption)

exposure device

exposure device means a radiation device that is designed for carrying out gamma radiography, and includes any accessory to the device such as a sealed source assembly, a drive mechanism, a sealed source assembly guide tube and an exposure head. (appareil d’exposition)

licensed activity

licensed activity means an activity described in any of paragraphs 26(a) to (c) of the Act that a licence authorizes the licensee to carry on in relation to a nuclear substance or a radiation device. (activité autorisée)

licensee

licensee means a person who is licensed to carry on an activity described in any of paragraphs 26(a) to (c) of the Act in relation to a nuclear substance or a radiation device. (titulaire de permis)

natural uranium

natural uranium means uranium that contains uranium 235 in a concentration that is normally found in nature. (uranium naturel)

nuclear criticality

nuclear criticality means a self-sustaining chain reaction of nuclear fission. (criticité nucléaire)

operate

operate includes, in respect of an exposure device, coupling the drive mechanism to the exposure device, uncoupling the drive mechanism from the exposure device, locking or unlocking the exposure device, and all activities involving the device that take place while the sealed source assembly is not locked inside the device in the fully shielded position. (faire fonctionner)

prescribed equipment

prescribed equipment means the equipment prescribed by section 20 of the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations. (équipement réglementé)

radiation device

radiation device means

  • (a) a device that contains more than the exemption quantity of a nuclear substance and that enables the nuclear substance to be used for its radiation properties; and

  • (b) a device that contains a radium luminous compound. (appareil à rayonnement)

radiation survey meter

radiation survey meter means an instrument that is capable of measuring radiation dose rates. (radiamètre)

sealed source

sealed source means a radioactive nuclear substance in a sealed capsule or in a cover to which the substance is bonded, where the capsule or cover is strong enough to prevent contact with or the dispersion of the substance under the conditions for which the capsule or cover is designed. (source scellée)

sealed source assembly

sealed source assembly means a sealed source that is designed to be used in an exposure device, and includes the components that are permanently attached to the sealed source. (assemblage de source scellée)

specific activity

specific activity means the activity per unit mass. (activité spécifique)

unsealed source

unsealed source means a source other than a sealed source. (source non scellée)

worker

worker means a person who performs work that is referred to in a licence. (travailleur)

Application

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), these Regulations apply in respect of all nuclear substances and sealed sources and all radiation devices except Class II prescribed equipment.

  • (2) These Regulations do not apply in respect of the packaging or transport of nuclear substances, sealed sources or radiation devices.

Licence Applications

General Requirements

  •  (1) An application for a licence in respect of a nuclear substance or a radiation device, other than a licence to service a radiation device, shall contain the following information in addition to the information required by section 3 of the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations:

    • (a) the methods, procedures and equipment that will be used to carry on the activity to be licensed;

    • (b) the methods, procedures and equipment that will be used while carrying on the activity to be licensed, or during and following an accident, to

      • (i) monitor the release of any radioactive nuclear substance from the site of the activity to be licensed,

      • (ii) detect the presence of and record the radiation dose rate and quantity in becquerels of radioactive nuclear substances at the site of the activity to be licensed,

      • (iii) limit the spread of radioactive contamination within and from the site of the activity to be licensed, and

      • (iv) decontaminate any person, site or equipment contaminated as a result of the activity to be licensed;

    • (c) a description of the circumstances in which the decontamination referred to in subparagraph (b)(iv) will be carried out;

    • (d) the proposed location of the activity to be licensed, including a description of the site;

    • (e) the roles, responsibilities, duties, qualifications and experience of workers;

    • (f) the proposed training program for workers;

    • (g) the proposed instructions for dealing with accidents, including fires and spills, in which the nuclear substance may be involved;

    • (h) the proposed inspection program for the equipment and systems that will be used to carry on the activity to be licensed;

    • (i) the methods, procedures and equipment that will be used to calibrate radiation survey meters in accordance with these Regulations;

    • (j) the methods, procedures and equipment that will be used to calibrate and verify the calibration of dosimeters referred to in paragraphs 30(3)(d) and (e);

    • (k) the methods, procedures and equipment that will be used to conduct the leak tests and surveys required by these Regulations;

    • (l) where the application is in respect of a nuclear substance that is an unsealed source and that is to be used in a room, the proposed design of the room;

    • (m) where the application is in respect of a nuclear substance that is contained in a radiation device, the name and model number of the radiation device, and the quantity of such devices;

    • (n) where the application is in respect of Category I, II or III nuclear material, as defined in section 1 of the Nuclear Security Regulations,

      • (i) the measures that will be taken to prevent nuclear criticality, and

      • (ii) the information required by section 3 or 4 of the Nuclear Security Regulations, as applicable;

    • (o) where the applicant will be engaged in the distribution of self-luminous safety signs that contain a radioactive nuclear substance, the proposed recall procedure for the return of each sign by the user after the manufacturer’s recommended expiry date marked on the sign has been reached.

  • (2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of an application for a licence to import or export for which the information requirements are prescribed by the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations.

Licence to Service Radiation Device

 An application for a licence to service a radiation device shall contain the following information in addition to the information required by section 3 of the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations:

  • (a) the name, model number and characteristics of the device or the number of the certificate relating to the device;

  • (b) a description of the nature of the servicing proposed to be carried on;

  • (c) the proposed methods, procedures and equipment for carrying on the servicing;

  • (d) the proposed qualification requirements and training program for workers; and

  • (e) the proposed procedures to be followed after completion of the servicing to confirm that the device is safe to use.

Exemptions from Licence Requirement

General Exempted Activities

  •  (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a person may carry on any of the following activities without a licence to carry on that activity:

    • (a) possess, transfer, import, export, use, mine, produce, refine, convert, enrich, process, reprocess, manage or store a nuclear substance, if the quantity of the nuclear substance does not exceed its exemption quantity;

    • (b) possess, transfer, import, export, use, abandon, produce or service a sealed source that contains less than the exemption quantity of a nuclear substance, if not more than 10 such sealed sources are possessed by the person in any calendar year;

    • (c) possess, transfer, import, export, use or abandon a radiation device, other than an exposure device, if the quantity of the nuclear substance or substances contained in the device is less than 10 times the exemption quantity; or

    • (d) possess, transfer, use, abandon, produce, refine, convert, enrich, process, reprocess, manage, store or dispose of deuterium or a compound containing deuterium, if the quantity of deuterium is less than 10 kg in any calendar year.

  • (2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of Category I, II or III nuclear material, as defined in section 1 of the Nuclear Security Regulations.

  • (3) Paragraphs (1)(a) to (c) do not apply in respect of the import or export of a nuclear substance, sealed source or radiation device to which the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations apply.

  • (4) For greater certainty, the exemptions established in subsection (1) relate only to the activities specified in that subsection and do not derogate from the licence requirement imposed by section 26 of the Act in relation to other activities.

Smoke Detectors

 Subject to section 9, a person may, without a licence to carry on that activity, possess, transfer, use or abandon a smoke detector that contains a nuclear substance, if

  • (a) the smoke detector does not contain more than 185 kBq of americium 241 or, where it is in a commercial or industrial facility, more than 740 kBq of americium 241;

  • (b) the radiation dose rate does not exceed 1 µSv per hour at 0.1 m from any of the accessible surfaces of the smoke detector;

  • (c) the design and construction of the smoke detector prevent persons from making direct contact with the nuclear substance that it contains under normal conditions of use;

  • (d) all markings and labels on the smoke detector are legible;

  • (e) the radioactive nuclear substance contained in the smoke detector is a sealed source that, when it is mounted in its holder, conforms to International Standard 2919, Sealed radioactive sources — Classification (1980), of the International Organization for Standardization; and

  • (f) the smoke detector meets the tests specified in the annex entitled Prototype Tests of the Recommendations for ionization chamber smoke detectors in implementation of radiation protection standards (1977) of the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Tritium Safety Signs

 Subject to section 9, a person may possess, transfer, use or abandon a tritium-activated self-luminous safety sign without a licence to carry on that activity, if

  • (a) the only nuclear substance contained in the safety sign is tritium;

  • (b) the safety sign contains no more than 925 GBq of tritium in gaseous form;

  • (c) the light-emitting component containing the tritium consists of glass tubes that are enclosed in a sturdy metal or plastic frame mounted in a manner that prevents the dismantlement and removal of the glass tubes;

  • (d) the amount of tritium present in the form of oxide does not exceed 1 per cent per volume for each glass tube;

  • (e) the safety sign conforms to American National Standard N540-1975, Classification of Radioactive Self-Luminous Light Sources, of the American National Standards Institute or to United States Military Standard MIL-STD-810E, 1989, Environmental Test Methods and Engineering Guidelines, of the United States Department of Defense; and

  • (f) the safety sign is marked with the name and quantity in becquerels of the nuclear substance and the manufacturer’s recommended expiry date.

Devices Containing Radium Luminous Compounds

 A person may, without a licence to carry on that activity, possess, transfer or use a device that contains a nuclear substance, if

  • (a) the only nuclear substance contained in the device is a radium luminous compound;

  • (b) the person does not possess more than 10 such devices; and

  • (c) the device is not disassembled or tampered with.

Manufacturers and Distributors Not Exempted

 Sections 6 to 8 do not apply to manufacturers and initial distributors in Canada of the devices referred to in those sections.

Scope of Exemptions

 For greater certainty, the exemptions established in sections 6 to 8 relate only to the activities specified in those sections and do not derogate from the licence requirement imposed by section 26 of the Act in relation to other activities.

Certification of Radiation Devices

Certification Requirement

  •  (1) No person shall use a radiation device unless

    • (a) it is a certified model; or

    • (b) it is used in accordance with a licence that authorizes its use for development purposes.

  • (2) No person shall transfer a radiation device for use within Canada unless it is a certified model.

Application for Certification

 The Commission or a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(a) of the Act may certify a model of a radiation device after receiving an application that includes the following information:

  • (a) the applicant’s name and business address;

  • (b) the name and business address of the manufacturer of the device;

  • (c) the name and model number of the device;

  • (d) the design of the device and its components, including any standards used in the design;

  • (e) the intended use of the device;

  • (f) the name, quantity in becquerels and form of the nuclear substance to be incorporated into the device;

  • (g) the method of incorporating the nuclear substance into the device;

  • (h) the expected radiation dose rates around the device in all modes of operation, including the method, calculations and measurements used to establish them;

  • (i) instructions for the use, transportation and storage of the device;

  • (j) instructions for conducting leak tests on the device;

  • (k) instructions for dealing with accidents, including fires and spills, in which the device may be involved;

  • (l) a description of the labelling of the device;

  • (m) the quality assurance program that was followed during the design of the device and that will be followed during production of the device;

  • (n) the recommended inspection and servicing program for the device; and

  • (o) at the request of the Commission, any other information that is necessary to enable the Commission or the designated officer to determine whether the device poses an unreasonable risk to the environment, the health and safety of persons or national security and whether certification of the device would be in conformity with measures of control and international obligations to which Canada has agreed.

Refusal to Certify

  •  (1) The Commission or a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(a) of the Act shall notify a person who has applied for the certification of a model of a radiation device of a proposed decision not to certify the model, as well as the basis for the proposed decision, at least 30 days before refusing to certify it.

  • (2) The notice shall include a description of the person’s right to be provided with an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the procedure referred to in section 15.

Decertification

  •  (1) The Commission or a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(a) of the Act shall notify a person to whom a certificate for a model of a radiation device has been issued, and any licensee who is licensed in respect of that model, of a proposed decision to decertify the model, as well as the basis for the proposed decision, at least 30 days before decertifying it.

  • (2) The notice shall include a description of the person’s and the licensee’s right to be provided with an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the procedure referred to in section 15.

Opportunity To Be Heard

  •  (1) Where a person referred to in section 13 or 14 or a licensee referred to in section 14 has received a notice and has requested, within 30 days after the date of receipt of the notice, an opportunity to be heard either orally or in writing, the person or the licensee shall be provided with such an opportunity in accordance with the request.

  • (2) On completion of a hearing held in accordance with subsection (1), every person and licensee who was notified in accordance with section 13 or 14 shall be notified of the decision and the reasons for it.

  • (3) Where neither a person referred to in section 13 or 14 nor a licensee referred to in section 14 requests an opportunity to be heard within the period referred to in subsection (1), they shall be notified of the decision and the reasons for it.

General Obligations

Medical Supervision

 No licensee shall use a radioactive nuclear substance or a radiation device on a person except as directed by a medical practitioner who is qualified to give such direction under the applicable provincial legislation.

Radiation Safety Instructions

 Every licensee shall make available to all workers, at the site of the licensed activity, copies of any instructions referred to in the licence concerning radiation safety and accidents, including fires and spills, in which a nuclear substance may be involved.

Leak Tests

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), every licensee who possesses, uses or produces either a sealed source containing 50 MBq or more of a nuclear substance or a nuclear substance as shielding shall, at the following times, conduct leak tests on the sealed source or shielding using instruments and procedures that enable the licensee to detect a leakage of 200 Bq or less of the nuclear substance:

    • (a) where the sealed source or shielding is used after being stored for 12 or more consecutive months, immediately before using it;

    • (b) where the sealed source or shielding is being stored, every 24 months;

    • (c) where an event that may have damaged the sealed source or shielding has occurred, immediately after the event; and

    • (d) in all other cases,

      • (i) where the sealed source or shielding is located in a radiation device, every 12 months, and

      • (ii) where the sealed source or shielding is not located in a radiation device, every six months.

  • (2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a sealed source that is

    • (a) gaseous; or

    • (b) contained in a static eliminator that has been retained by the licensee for less than 15 months.

  • (3) Where a licensee, in the course of conducting a leak test on a sealed source or on shielding, detects the leakage of 200 Bq or more of a nuclear substance, the licensee shall

    • (a) discontinue using the sealed source or shielding;

    • (b) discontinue using the radiation device in which the sealed source or shielding is located or may have been located;

    • (c) take measures to limit the spread of radioactive contamination from the sealed source or shielding; and

    • (d) immediately after complying with paragraphs (a) to (c), notify the Commission that the leakage has been detected.

Transfers

  •  (1) Every licensee who transfers a radiation device shall provide the transferee with the instructions referred to in the radiation device certificate for dealing with accidents, including fires and spills.

  • (2) A licensee who transfers a sealed source or a nuclear substance as shielding shall provide the transferee with a record of the most recent leak test conducted in accordance with section 18.

Radiation Survey Meters

 No person shall use, for the purpose of the Act, the regulations made under the Act or an order or a licence, a radiation survey meter that has not been calibrated within the 12 months preceding its use.

Accidents

 Where a radiation device is involved in an accident or is subjected to conditions other than those in which it is designed to operate, the licensee shall discontinue using it until the licensee performs a test or an inspection which establishes that it is functioning properly.

Labelling for Field Operations

 No person shall use a radiation device in field operations unless the device has securely attached to it a durable, readily visible and legible label that sets out the name or job title and the telephone number of a person who can initiate the accident procedure referred to in the licence that has been issued in respect of the device and who can be contacted 24 hours a day.

Posting of Signs at Storage Areas

 Every licensee who stores a nuclear substance shall post and keep posted, in a readily visible location at the place or on the vehicle where the nuclear substance is stored, a legible sign that indicates the name or job title and the telephone number of a person who can initiate the accident procedure referred to in the licence that has been issued in respect of the nuclear substance and who can be contacted 24 hours a day.

Exposure Devices

Requirement for Operators

 No person other than a certified exposure device operator, or a trainee who is acting under the direct supervision and continuous observation of a certified exposure device operator, shall operate an exposure device.

Application for Certification of Operator

 The Commission or a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(b) of the Act may certify a person as an exposure device operator after receiving an application that includes the following information:

  • (a) the person’s name and business address;

  • (b) a record of the person’s training and experience; and

  • (c) evidence of the successful completion by the person of an examination recognized by the Commission.

Refusal to Certify

  •  (1) The Commission or a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(b) of the Act shall notify a person who has applied for certification as an exposure device operator of a proposed decision not to certify the person, as well as the basis for the proposed decision, at least 30 days before refusing to certify the person.

  • (2) The notice shall include a description of the person’s right to be provided with an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the procedure referred to in section 28.

Decertification

  •  (1) The Commission or a designated officer authorized under paragraph 37(2)(b) of the Act shall notify a certified exposure device operator of a proposed decision to decertify the operator, as well as the basis for the proposed decision, at least 30 days before decertifying that operator.

  • (2) The notice shall include a description of the certified exposure device operator’s right to be provided with an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the procedure referred to in section 28.

Opportunity To Be Heard

  •  (1) Where a person referred to in section 26 or a certified exposure device operator referred to in section 27 has received a notice and has requested, within 30 days after the date of receipt of the notice, an opportunity to be heard either orally or in writing, the person or the operator shall be provided with such an opportunity in accordance with the request.

  • (2) On completion of a hearing held in accordance with subsection (1), the person or the certified exposure device operator who requested an opportunity to be heard shall be notified of the decision and the reasons for it.

  • (3) Where neither a person referred to in section 26 nor a certified exposure device operator referred to in section 27 requests an opportunity to be heard within the period referred to in subsection (1), they shall be notified of the decision and the reasons for it.

Surrender of Certificate

 A certified exposure device operator, on being notified of a decision to decertify in accordance with subsection 28(2) or (3), shall immediately surrender to the Commission the certificate that was issued to the operator.

Obligations of Licensees

  •  (1) Every licensee who possesses, uses or produces an exposure device shall

    • (a) ensure that there is affixed securely to the exposure device, by means of metal fasteners, a durable steel or brass tag that is readily visible and legibly inscribed with the name, quantity in becquerels, date of measurement of that quantity and form of the nuclear substance contained in the exposure device;

    • (b) lock the exposure device and keep it locked when it is not being used; and

    • (c) return a dosimeter referred to in paragraph (3)(c) to the dosimetry service that issued the dosimeter, within 10 days after the end of the period referred to in subsection 31(2).

  • (2) Every licensee shall immediately notify the Commission when an exposure device or a sealed source assembly is lost, stolen or damaged to an extent that could impair its normal operation.

  • (3) Every licensee who authorizes a person to operate an exposure device shall provide the person with

    • (a) a radiation survey meter that

      • (i) is capable of measuring a dose rate of gamma radiation from the sealed source of between 20 µSv and 100 mSv per hour, and

      • (ii) indicates that the power level of its batteries is sufficient for its operation;

    • (b) if an external sealed source assembly guide tube is to be used,

      • (i) material that can be used to attenuate, by a factor of at least 100, the radiation from the sealed source,

      • (ii) tools that can sever from the exposure device the tube and cable to which the sealed source assembly is attached, and

      • (iii) tongs with a shaft at least 1.5 m long that can handle the sealed source assembly;

    • (c) a dosimeter that

      • (i) has been issued by a licensed dosimetry service,

      • (ii) has not been used by another person since its last reading, and

      • (iii) is designed so that it can be worn on the trunk of the body;

    • (d) a dosimeter that

      • (i) has direct-reading display capability,

      • (ii) is of a type suitable for recording any dose of radiation that the person is likely to receive as a result of the operation of the exposure device,

      • (iii) has been calibrated or had its calibration verified, within the 12-month period prior to being provided, to an accuracy within 20 per cent of the true dose of radiation, and

      • (iv) is designed so that it can be worn on the trunk of the body;

    • (e) a dosimeter that

      • (i) is of a type suitable for recording any dose of radiation that the person is likely to receive as a result of the operation of the exposure device,

      • (ii) emits an audible warning signal when the radiation dose rate reaches or exceeds 5 mSv per hour or when the total dose of radiation reaches or exceeds 2 mSv, or emits an audible warning signal that increases proportionally to the radiation dose rate,

      • (iii) is designed to prevent an unintentional change in the radiation dose rate or total dose of radiation at which the dosimeter will emit an audible warning signal,

      • (iv) has been calibrated or had its calibration verified, within the 12-month period prior to being provided, to an accuracy within 20 per cent of the true dose of radiation, and

      • (v) is designed so that it can be worn on the trunk of the body;

    • (f) a sufficient number of durable and legible signs that bear the radiation warning symbol set out in Schedule 3 to the Radiation Protection Regulations and the words “RAYONNEMENT — DANGER — RADIATION” to enable the person to comply with paragraph 31(1)(k); and

    • (g) a sufficient number of forms to enable the person to keep the records referred to in paragraph 31(1)(e) and section 37.

  • (4) No licensee shall authorize a person to operate an exposure device that

    • (a) does not appear to be functioning normally; or

    • (b) has a radiation dose rate of more than 2 mSv per hour on any part of its surface.

  • (5) Every licensee who authorizes a person to remove a sealed source from or insert a sealed source into an exposure device shall provide the person with a written authorization signed by the licensee.

  • (6) Every licensee shall limit the dose of radiation received by a person, other than a nuclear energy worker, as a result of the possession or use of an exposure device to 0.1 mSv per week and 0.5 mSv per year.

Obligations of Operators

  •  (1) Every person who operates an exposure device shall

    • (a) use a radiation survey meter that

      • (i) is capable of measuring a dose rate of gamma radiation from the sealed source of between 20 µSv and 100 mSv per hour, and

      • (ii) indicates that the power level of its batteries is sufficient for its operation;

    • (b) when an external sealed source assembly guide tube is being used, have immediately available the following items:

      • (i) material that can be used to attenuate, by a factor of at least 100, the radiation from the sealed source,

      • (ii) tools that can sever from the exposure device the tube and cable to which the sealed source assembly is attached, and

      • (iii) tongs with a shaft at least 1.5 m long that can handle the sealed source assembly;

    • (c) wear on the trunk of the body a dosimeter that

      • (i) has been issued by a licensed dosimetry service, and

      • (ii) has not been used by another person since its last reading;

    • (d) wear on the trunk of the body a dosimeter that

      • (i) has direct-reading display capability,

      • (ii) is of a type suitable for recording any dose of radiation that the person is likely to receive as a result of the operation of the exposure device, and

      • (iii) has been calibrated or had its calibration verified within the 12-month period prior to wearing, to an accuracy within 20 per cent of the true dose of radiation;

    • (e) keep a record of the dose of radiation received by the person for each day the person operates the exposure device, as indicated by the dosimeter referred to in paragraph (d);

    • (f) wear on the trunk of the body a dosimeter that

      • (i) is of a type suitable for recording any dose of radiation that the person is likely to receive as a result of the operation of the exposure device,

      • (ii) emits an audible warning signal when the radiation dose rate reaches or exceeds 5 mSv per hour or when the total dose of radiation reaches or exceeds 2 mSv, or emits an audible warning signal that increases proportionally to the radiation dose rate,

      • (iii) is designed to prevent an unintentional change in the radiation dose rate or total dose of radiation at which the dosimeter will emit an audible warning signal, and

      • (iv) has been calibrated or had its calibration verified within the 12-month period prior to wearing, to an accuracy within 20 per cent of the true dose of radiation;

    • (g) examine the sealed source assembly coupling and guide tube, the locking mechanism, the cranking device, the drive cable and the pneumatic pump of the exposure device immediately before operating the device to ensure that the device is functioning within the manufacturer’s specifications;

    • (h) after each attempt to move the sealed source to the shielded position inside the exposure device, use a radiation survey meter to determine that the sealed source is in the shielded position;

    • (i) limit the dose of radiation received by any person, other than a nuclear energy worker, as a result of the possession or use of the exposure device to 0.1 mSv per week and 0.5 mSv per year;

    • (j) place persons or erect barriers to prevent entry into any area within which the radiation dose rate is greater than 0.1 mSv per hour as a result of the possession or use of the exposure device;

    • (k) post a sufficient number of durable and legible signs that bear the radiation warning symbol set out in Schedule 3 to the Radiation Protection Regulations and the words “RAYONNEMENT — DANGER — RADIATION”, to prevent entry into any area within which the radiation dose rate is greater than 0.1 mSv per hour as a result of the possession or use of the exposure device;

    • (l) lock the exposure device when it is not being operated; and

    • (m) where the person becomes aware of any of the following situations, immediately report to the licensee the location and circumstances of the situation and any action that the person has taken or proposes to take with respect to it:

      • (i) the exposure device or the sealed source assembly is lost, stolen or damaged to an extent that could impair its normal use,

      • (ii) the exposure device has a radiation dose rate of more than 2 mSv per hour on any part of its surface when the sealed source is in the shielded position,

      • (iii) the sealed source assembly is separated from the exposure device when the latter is not being serviced, or

      • (iv) a failure to return the sealed source assembly to the shielded position inside the exposure device.

  • (2) Every person who has been provided with a dosimeter referred to in paragraph 30(3)(c) by a licensee shall return the dosimeter to the licensee at the end of the 15-day period beginning on the first day that the person wore the dosimeter.

  • (3) Every person who keeps a record referred to in paragraph (1)(e) shall submit the record to the licensee at the end of each 15-day period, the first of which begins on the first day that the person operated the exposure device.

  • (4) No person shall operate an exposure device that

    • (a) does not appear to be functioning normally; or

    • (b) has a radiation dose rate of more than 2 mSv per hour on any part of its surface.

Appointment of Supervisors of Trainees

  •  (1) A licensee may appoint a certified exposure device operator to supervise a trainee in the operation of an exposure device, if

    • (a) the certified exposure device operator has the qualifications, training and experience necessary to supervise a trainee in the safe operation of the exposure device;

    • (b) the licensee requests the certified exposure device operator, in accordance with subsection (2), to accept the appointment; and

    • (c) the certified exposure device operator accepts the appointment in writing.

  • (2) A request referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall be made in writing and shall

    • (a) state the name of the trainee;

    • (b) state the name and model number of the exposure device;

    • (c) direct the attention of the certified exposure device operator to this section and to section 33; and

    • (d) include a copy of the licence to use the exposure device.

Obligations of Supervisors of Trainees

  •  (1) No certified exposure device operator who is supervising a trainee in the operation of an exposure device shall permit the trainee to operate the device unless the trainee has sufficient knowledge to safely operate it.

  • (2) Every certified exposure device operator who is supervising a trainee in the operation of an exposure device shall directly supervise and continuously observe the trainee while the trainee is operating the device.

Replacement of Sealed Source

  •  (1) Every person who removes a sealed source from or inserts a sealed source into an exposure device shall possess a written authorization to do so, signed by the licensee who possesses, uses, produces or services the exposure device.

  • (2) Immediately after a person removes a sealed source from or inserts a sealed source into an exposure device, the person shall measure

    • (a) the radiation dose rate on each accessible surface of the exposure device; and

    • (b) the dose of radiation received by persons who were exposed to radiation during the removal or insertion, using a dosimeter referred to in paragraph 30(3)(d).

  • (3) Every person who removes a sealed source from or inserts a sealed source into an exposure device shall record the radiation dose rates and doses of radiation referred to in subsection (2) and report them to the licensee who possesses or uses the exposure device.

Tracer Studies

  •  (1) Every licensee who uses more than 2 GBq of a nuclear substance that is not a sealed source for the purpose of conducting a tracer or subsurface tracer study shall notify the Commission before conducting the study.

  • (2) Every licensee shall, within 60 days after using a nuclear substance referred to in subsection (1) for the purpose of conducting a tracer or subsurface tracer study, file with the Commission a report that includes

    • (a) the date and location of the study;

    • (b) the name, quantity in becquerels and form of the nuclear substance used in the study;

    • (c) the name of the person for whom the study was conducted;

    • (d) the names of all workers who handled the nuclear substance and the dosimeter readings and bioassay results for those workers;

    • (e) a description of any unusual occurrence;

    • (f) a description of the disposition of any unused nuclear substance; and

    • (g) the specific activity of the nuclear substance upon entering and leaving the system studied and a description of the disposition of the nuclear substance.

Records to Be Kept and Retained

Nuclear Substances

  •  (1) Every licensee shall keep the following records:

    • (a) a record of the following information in respect of any nuclear substance in the licensee’s possession that is referred to in the licence:

      • (i) the name, quantity, form and location of the nuclear substance,

      • (ii) where the nuclear substance is a sealed source, the model and serial number of the source,

      • (iii) where the nuclear substance is contained in a radiation device, the model and serial number of the device,

      • (iv) the quantity of the nuclear substance used, and

      • (v) the manner in which the nuclear substance was used;

    • (b) a record of the name of each worker who uses or handles a nuclear substance;

    • (c) a record of any transfer, receipt, disposal or abandonment of a nuclear substance, including

      • (i) the date of the transfer, receipt, disposal or abandonment,

      • (ii) the name and address of the supplier or the recipient,

      • (iii) the number of the licence of the recipient,

      • (iv) the name, quantity and form of the nuclear substance transferred, received, disposed of or abandoned,

      • (v) where the nuclear substance is a sealed source, the model and serial number of the source, and

      • (vi) where the nuclear substance is contained in a radiation device, the model and serial number of the device;

    • (d) a record of the training received by each worker; and

    • (e) a record of every inspection, measurement, test or servicing performed by the licensee in accordance with the Act, the regulations made under the Act or the licence.

  • (2) Every licensee shall retain a record referred to in paragraph (1)(d) for the period ending three years after the termination of employment of the worker.

  • (3) Every person who is required to keep a record referred to in paragraph (1)(e) shall retain the record for the period ending three years after the expiry date of the last licence that was issued to the person in respect of the nuclear substance.

Exposure Devices

 Every licensee who possesses an exposure device shall keep a record of the following information in respect of the device:

  • (a) the name of the manufacturer, the model number and the serial number of the exposure device;

  • (b) the quantity in becquerels of any nuclear substance contained in the exposure device;

  • (c) the dates on which and the locations where the exposure device is operated;

  • (d) the date of acquisition and, where applicable, the date of disposal of the exposure device and any sealed source assembly;

  • (e) the names of all persons whom the licensee has authorized to possess or use the exposure device or any sealed source assembly;

  • (f) all written authorizations provided by the licensee in accordance with subsection 30(5);

  • (g) all requests made by the licensee in accordance with paragraph 32(1)(b) and all appointments accepted in response to those requests;

  • (h) every inspection, measurement, test, servicing or calibration performed in accordance with these Regulations; and

  • (i) the measurements submitted to the licensee in accordance with these Regulations by a person who has operated the exposure device.

Reports to Be Made by Licensees

  •  (1) Every licensee who possesses an exposure device and who becomes aware of any of the following situations shall immediately make a preliminary report to the Commission of the location and circumstances of the situation and of any action that the licensee has taken or proposes to take with respect to it:

    • (a) the exposure device or the sealed source assembly is lost, stolen or damaged to an extent that could impair its normal use;

    • (b) the exposure device has a radiation dose rate of more than 2 mSv per hour on any part of its surface when the sealed source is in the shielded position;

    • (c) the sealed source assembly is separated from the exposure device when the latter is not being serviced; or

    • (d) a failure to return the sealed source assembly to the shielded position inside the exposure device.

  • (2) Every licensee who becomes aware of a situation referred to in subsection (1) shall file a full report of the situation with the Commission within 21 days after becoming aware of it, unless some other period is specified in the licence, and the report shall contain the following information:

    • (a) a description of the equipment problem;

    • (b) the probable cause of the situation;

    • (c) the name of the manufacturer, the device number and the serial number of the equipment involved;

    • (d) the date and time when and the location where the situation occurred and the date and time of becoming aware of it;

    • (e) the actions that the licensee has taken to re-establish normal operations;

    • (f) the actions that the licensee has taken or proposes to take to prevent a recurrence; and

    • (g) the qualifications of the workers, including any trainee, who were involved.

Coming into Force

 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they approved by the Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE(Section 1)

EXEMPTION QUANTITIES

Column 1Column 2
Radioactive Nuclear SubstanceQuantity (in Bq)
Americium 2411 x 103
Americium 2431 x 103
Antimony 1241 x 104
Antimony 1251 x 105
Arsenic 731 x 105
Arsenic 741 x 104
Arsenic 761 x 104
Barium 1311 x 105
Barium 1331 x 105
Barium 1401 x 104
Beryllium 71 x 106
Bismuth 2061 x 105
Bismuth 2071 x 105
Bismuth 2101 x 104
Bromine 821 x 105
Cadmium 1071 x 107
Cadmium 1091 x 106
Cadmium 113 m1 x 104
Cadmium 1151 x 104
Cadmium 115 m1 x 104
Calcium 451 x 106
Calcium 471 x 104
Carbon 111 x 105
Carbon 141 x 108
Cerium 1391 x 106
Cerium 1411 x 106
Cerium 1441 x 105
Cesium 1341 x 105
Cesium 134 m1 x 107
Cesium 1371 x 104
Chlorine 361 x 104
Chlorine 381 x 104
Chromium 491 x 105
Chromium 511 x 106
Cobalt 561 x 105
Cobalt 571 x 105
Cobalt 581 x 105
Cobalt 58 m1 x 107
Cobalt 601 x 105
Copper 601 x 105
Copper 641 x 105
Copper 671 x 105
Dysprosium 1591 x 106
Erbium 1691 x 106
Erbium 1711 x 104
Fluorine 181 x 104
Gadolinium 1531 x 104
Gallium 671 x 106
Gallium 681 x 104
Germanium 681 x 104
Gold 1951 x 105
Gold 1981 x 104
Hydrogen 31 x 109
Indium 1111 x 105
Indium 113 m1 x 105
Indium 1151 x 105
Iodine 1231 x 107
Iodine 1251 x 106
Iodine 1291 x 106
Iodine 1311 x 104
Iridium 1921 x 104
Iron 521 x 104
Iron 551 x 106
Iron 591 x 105
Krypton 771 x 1010
Krypton 851 x 1011
Krypton 871 x 1010
Lead 2101 x 104
Magnesium 281 x 104
Manganese 521 x 105
Manganese 541 x 105
Mercury 2031 x 105
Molybdenum 991 x 104
Nickel 591 x 108
Nickel 631 x 107
Nickel 651 x 104
Niobium 951 x 105
Nitrogen 131 x 105
Oxygen 151 x 106
Phosphorous 321 x 104
Phosphorous 331 x 106
Polonium 2101 x 104
Potassium 421 x 104
Promethium 1471 x 107
Radium 2261 x 104
Rubidium 861 x 104
Samarium 1531 x 104
Scandium 461 x 105
Scandium 471 x 105
Selenium 751 x 105
Selenium 791 x 107
Sodium 221 x 104
Sodium 241 x 104
Strontium 851 x 105
Strontium 87 m1 x 105
Strontium 891 x 104
Strontium 901 x 104
Sulphur 351 x 108
Technetium 991 x 106
Technetium 99 m1 x 107
Thallium 2011 x 106
Thallium 2041 x 104
Thorium 2321 x 102
Tin 1131 x 105
Uranium (natural) in dispersable form1 x 104
Uranium (natural) in non-dispersable form1 x 107
Xenon 1231 x 1011
Xenon 129 m1 x 1011
Xenon 1331 x 1011
Xenon 1351 x 1010
Yttrium 901 x 104
Zinc 651 x 106
Zirconium 951 x 105

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