3701:1-38-15. Control of exposure from external sources in high and very high radiation areas

(A) Control of access to high radiation areas shall be maintained by the licensee or registrant.

(1) Control of access shall be maintained by ensuring that each entrance or access point to a high radiation area has one or more of the following features:

(a) A control device that, upon entry into the area, causes the level of radiation to be reduced below that level at which an individual might receive a deep dose equivalent of one millisievert ( 0.1 rem) in one hour at thirty centimeters from the source of radiation or from any surface that the radiation penetrates; or

(b) A control device that energizes a conspicuous visible or audible alarm signal so that the individual entering the high radiation area and the supervisor of the activity are made aware of the entry; or

(c) Entryways that are locked, except during periods when access to the areas is required, with administrative and/or engineering control over each individual entry.

(2) In place of the controls required by paragraph (A)(1) of this rule, in the case of a high radiation area, the licensee or registrant may substitute continuous direct or electronic surveillance that is capable of preventing unauthorized entry.

(3) The licensee or registrant may apply to the department for approval of alternative methods for controlling access to high radiation areas.

(4) The licensee or registrant shall establish the controls required by paragraphs (A)(1) and (A)(3) of this rule in a way that does not prevent individuals from leaving a high radiation area.

(5) The licensee is not required to control each entrance or access point to a room or other area that is a high radiation area solely because of the presence of radioactive materials prepared for transport and packaged and labeled in accordance with the regulations of the United States department of transportation provided that:

(a) The packages do not remain in the area longer than three days; and

(b) The dose rate at one meter from the external surface of any package does not exceed 0.1 millisievert ( 0.01 rem) per hour.

(6) The licensee is not required to control entrance or access to rooms or other areas in hospitals solely because of the presence of patients containing radioactive material, provided that there are personnel in attendance who are taking the necessary precautions to prevent the exposure of individuals to radiation or radioactive material in excess of the established limits in paragraph (A) of rule 3701:1-38-13 of the Administrative Code and to operate within the ALARA provisions of the licensee's radiation protection program.

(7) The registrant is not required to control entrance or access to rooms or other areas containing sources of radiation capable of producing a high radiation area as described in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(4) of this rule if the registrant has met all the specific requirements for access and control specified in other applicable rules, such as, the requirements for industrial radiography, x-rays in the healing arts, and particle accelerators as provided in Chapter 3701:1-66 and 3701:1-67 ofthe Administrative Code.

(B) In the case of access to a very high radiation area, the licensee or registrant shall control access as follows:

(1) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (A) of this rule, and except as provided in paragraph (B)(2) of this rule, the licensee or registrant shall institute measures to ensure that an individual is not able to gain unauthorized or inadvertent access to a very high radiation area. This requirement does not apply to rooms or areas in which diagnostic x-ray systems are the only source of radiation.

(2) The registrant is not required to control entrance or access to rooms or other areas containing sources of radiation capable of producing a very high radiation area as provided in paragraph (B)(1) of this rule if the registrant has met all the specific requirements for access and control specified in other applicable rules, such as, requirements for industrial radiography, x-rays in the healing arts, and particle accelerators as provided in Chapter 3701:1-66 and 3701:1-67 of the Administrative Code.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 07/01/2015 and 07/01/2020
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3748.04
Rule Amplifies: 3748.04
Prior Effective Dates: 7/22/2001, 10/22/06, 9/1/11

Prior History: (Effective: 09/01/2011
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 05/23/2011 and 10/01/2015
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3748.04
Rule Amplifies: 3748.04
Prior Effective Dates: 7/22/2001, 10/22/06 )