Section 780. Control of access to high radiation areas

Article 7. Control of Exposure from External Sources in Restricted Areas

A. The licensee shall ensure that each entrance or access point to a high radiation area has one or more of the following features:

1. 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 100 millirem (1 mSv) in 1 hour at 30 centimeters from the radiation source or from any surface that the radiation penetrates;

2. 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 entry; or

3. Entryways that are locked, except during periods when access to the areas is required, with positive control over each individual entry.

B. In place of the controls required by subsection A of this section for a high radiation area, the licensee may substitute continuous direct or electronic surveillance that is capable of preventing unauthorized entry.

C. A licensee may apply to the agency for approval of alternative methods for controlling access to high radiation areas.

D. The licensee shall establish the controls required by subsections A and C of this section in a way that does not prevent individuals from leaving a high radiation area.

E. Control is not required for 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 regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation provided that:

1. The packages do not remain in the area longer than three days; and

2. The dose rate at one meter from the external surface of any package does not exceed 10 millirem (0.1 mSv) per hour.

F. Control of entrance or access to rooms or other areas in hospitals is not required solely because of the presence of patients containing radioactive material, provided that there are personnel in attendance who will take the necessary precautions to prevent the exposure of individuals to radiation or radioactive material in excess of the limits established in this part and to operate within the ALARA provisions of the licensee's radiation protection program.

G. The licensee or 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 this section if the licensee or registrant has met all the specific requirements for access and control specified in other applicable parts of this chapter, such as Part V (12VAC5-481-1170 et seq.) for industrial radiography, Part VI (12VAC5-481-1580 et seq.) for X-rays in the healing arts, Part IX (12VAC5-481-2140 et seq.) for particle accelerators, and Part XII (12VAC5-481-2660 et seq.) for irradiators.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.