Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations

31 (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 assembly to the shielded position inside the exposure device, use a radiation survey meter to determine that the sealed source assembly 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 assembly 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.

(5) Every person operating an exposure device shall, during each work shift, ensure that the dose of radiation accumulated does not exceed 2 mSv, and if the dose exceeds 2 mSv, the person shall stop work immediately and notify the licensee at the earliest opportunity.

(6) No person shall respond to any of the following situations unless the person has received specialized training in the safety, regulatory and technical requirements for dealing with those situations or has received training in the safety, regulatory and technical requirements for dealing with those situations and is acting under the guidance of a person who has received the specialized training:

• (a) the exposure device or the sealed source assembly is 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 assembly 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) the sealed source assembly fails to return to the shielded position inside the exposure device.