Section 900. Procedures for receiving and opening packages

A. Licensees who expect to receive a package containing quantities of radioactive material in excess of a Type A quantity, as defined in 12VAC5-481-10 and 12VAC5-481-3770, shall make arrangements to receive:

1. The package when the carrier offers it for delivery; or

2. Notification of the arrival of the package at the carrier's terminal and to take possession of the package expeditiously.

B. Licensees shall monitor the following:

1.The external surfaces of a labeled package for radioactive contamination unless the package contains only radioactive material in the form of a gas or in special form as defined in 12VAC5-481-10;

2. The external surfaces of a labeled package for radiation levels unless the package contains quantities of radioactive material that are less than or equal to the Type A quantity, as defined in 12VAC5-481-10 and 12VAC5-481-3770; and

3. All packages known to contain radioactive material for radioactive contamination and radiation levels if there is evidence of degradation of package integrity, such as packages that are crushed, wet, or damaged.

C. Licensees shall perform the monitoring required by subsection B of this section as soon as practical after receipt of the package, but not later than three hours after the package is received at the licensee's facility if it is received during the licensee's normal working hours, if there is evidence of degradation of package integrity (e.g., packages that are crushed, wet, or damaged), or if it is received after working hours, not later than three hours from the beginning of the next working day.

D. Licensees shall immediately notify the final delivery carrier and the agency by telephone, when:

1. Removable contamination exceeds the limits of subdivision 9 of 12VAC5-481-3080; or

2. External radiation levels exceed the limits of subdivision 10 of 12VAC5-481-3080.

E. Licensees shall:

1. Establish, maintain, and retain written procedures for safely opening packages in which radioactive material is received; and

2. Ensure that the procedures are followed and that due consideration is given to special instructions for the type of package being opened.

F. Licensees transferring special form sources in licensee-owned or licensee-operated vehicles to and from a work site are exempt from the contamination monitoring requirements of subsection B of this section, but are not exempt from the survey requirements in subsection B of this section for measuring radiation levels that are required to ensure that the source is still properly lodged in its shield.

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.