New Mexico Register
/ Volume XXXV, Issue 7 / April 9, 2024
This is an amendment
to 20.3.5 NMAC, Section 15 effective 05/01/2024
20.3.5.15 PERSONNEL MONITORING:
A. The
licensee or registrant may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer
or a radiographer's assistant unless, at all times
during radiographic operations, each individual wears, on the trunk of the
body, a [combination of] direct reading dosimeter, an operating alarm
ratemeter, and a [NVLAP certified] personnel dosimeter. At permanent radiography installations where
other appropriate alarming or warning devices are in routine use, the wearing
of an alarming ratemeter is not required.
(1) Pocket dosimeters must have a range from zero to two millisieverts (200 millirems) and must be recharged at the start of each shift. Electronic personal dosimeters may only be used in place of ion-chamber pocket dosimeters.
(2) Each
[NVLAP certified] personnel dosimeter must be assigned to and
worn by only one individual.
(3) Film
badges must be replaced [at periods not to exceed one month. All other NVLAP certified dosimeters
must be replaced at periods not to exceed three months.] for personnel at
least monthly and all other personnel dosimeters that require replacement must
be replaced at least quarterly. All
personnel dosimeters that must be evaluated must be evaluated at least
quarterly or promptly after replacement, whichever is more frequent.
[(4) After replacement, each NVLAP certified dosimeter must be
processed as soon as possible.]
B. Direct reading dosimeters such as pocket dosimeters or electronic personal dosimeters must be read and the exposures recorded at the beginning and end of each shift. Records shall be maintained in accordance with Paragraph (2) of Subsection H of 20.3.5.15 NMAC.
C. Pocket dosimeters, or electronic personal dosimeters, must be checked at periods not to exceed 12 months for correct response to radiation. Acceptable dosimeters must read within plus or minus twenty percent of the true radiation exposure. Records shall be maintained in accordance with Paragraph (1) of Subsection H of 20.3.5.15 NMAC.
D. If
an individual's pocket [dosimeter] chamber is found to be
off-scale, or if his or her electronic personal dosimeter reads greater than two
millisieverts (200 millirems), and the possibility of radiation exposure cannot
be ruled out as the cause, the individual's [NVLAP certified] personnel
dosimeter must be sent for processing within 24 hours. In addition, the individual may not resume
work associated with [radiation] licensed material use until a
determination of the individual's radiation [exposure] dose has
been made. This determination must be
made by the RSO or the RSO's designee. The results of this determination shall be
documented. The documents shall be
maintained in accordance with [paragraph (4) of] Subsection H of
20.3.5.15 NMAC.
E. If
a [NVLAP certified] personnel dosimeter that is required by
Subsection A of 20.3.5.15 NMAC is lost or damaged, the worker shall cease
work immediately until a replacement dosimeter is provided and the exposure is
calculated for the time period from issuance to loss
or damage of the dosimeter. The results
of the calculated exposure and the time period for
which the dosimeter was lost or damaged shall be documented. The documents shall be maintained in
accordance with Paragraph (4) of Subsection H of 20.3.5.15 NMAC.
F. [Reports
received from dosimtery] Dosimetry [processors]
results shall be maintained in accordance with Paragraph (3) of
Subsection H of 20.3.5.15 NMAC.
G. Each alarm ratemeter must--
(1) Be checked to ensure that the alarm functions properly (sounds) before using at the start of each shift;
(2) Be set to give an alarm signal at a preset dose rate of five mSv/hr (500 mrem/hr); with an accuracy of plus or minus twenty percent of the true radiation dose rate;
(3) Require special means to change the preset alarm function; and
(4) Be calibrated at periods not to exceed 12 months for correct response to radiation. The licensee or registrant shall maintain records of alarm ratemeter calibrations in accordance with Paragraph (2) of Subsection H of 20.3.5.15 NMAC.
H. Personnel Monitoring Records. Each licensee and registrant shall maintain the following exposure records pursuant to 20.3.5.15 NMAC:
(1) Direct reading dosimeter readings and yearly operability checks required by Subsections B and C of 20.3.5.15 NMAC for three years after the record is made.
(2) Records of alarm ratemeter calibrations for three years after the record is made.
(3) Reports
received [from] for personnel dosimetry [processors] shall
be maintained until the Department terminates the license or registration.
(4) Records
of estimates of exposures as a result of: off-scale personal direct reading dosimeters, or lost or damaged [external dosimetric device] personnel dosimeters, until
the department terminates the license or registration.
[20.3.5.15 NMAC - Rp, 20 NMAC 3.1.5.517, 5/19/2002; A, 05/01/2024]