TITLE 32: ENERGY CHAPTER II: DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SAFETY SUBCHAPTER b: RADIATION PROTECTION PART 390 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS Section 390.10 Scope 390.20 Definitions 390.30 Operating Procedures and Instructions 390.40 Equipment Controls 390.50 Radiation Monitoring 390.60 Radiation Surveys 390.70 Minimum Training of Particle Accelerator Operators AUTHORITY: Implementing and authorized by the Radiation Protection Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 111«, pars. 211 et seq.). SOURCE: Filed and effective April 20, 1974, by the Department of Public Health; transferred to the Department of Nuclear Safety by P.A. 81-1516, effective December 3, 1980; codified at 7 Ill. Reg. 11281. Section 390.10 Scope Except as otherwise specifically provided, this Part applies to all persons who develop, manufacture, receive, possess, use, own, or acquire accelerators. The provisions of this Part are in addition to, and not in substitution for, other applicable provisions of Department regulations. See 32 Ill. Adm. Code 360 for applicable regulations concerning particle accelerators for medical therapeutic applications. Section 390.20 Definitions a) "Accelerator Facility" means the location at which one or more particle accelerators are installed within one building or under one roof and are operated under the same administrative control. b) "Particle Accelerator" means any device other than an x-ray machine which emits ionizing radiation as a result of the acceleration of charged particles. Examples - cyclotrons, betatrons, electron linear accelerators, and potential drop accelerators. Section 390.30 Operating Procedures and Instructions a) Each registrant shall inform individuals working in or frequenting any portion of a restricted area as to the presence of radiation or particle accelerators; instruct such individuals in safety problems associated therewith and in precautions or procedures to minimize radiation exposure; instruct such individuals in the provisions of Department regulations for the protection of personnel from exposures to radiation; and shall advise such individuals of reports of radiation exposure which those individuals may request pursuant to this Part. b) Each particle accelerator facility shall be under the administrative control of a radiation protection officer or radiation safety committee who will be responsible for the safe operation of the accelerator. c) Written operating and emergency procedures as well as specified safety rules shall be established for each accelerator facility and approved by the radiation protection officer. d) Operators and maintenance personnel shall be familiar with and have available a copy of the written operating and emergency procedures. e) No individual shall be permitted to act as an "Operator" of an accelerator until such person has received at least the minimum training specified in Section 390.70. f) Modification, repairs, or preventive maintenance on accelerator components or safety interlocks may be performed only by or under the direct supervision of persons who have received at least the minimum training specified in Section 390.70. g) Provisions shall be made at each accelerator control console to display the operator's name. Only the operator whose name is displayed may turn on the accelerator or open entrances to High Radiation Areas. h) The radiation safety officer shall maintain a current list of all operators and technical personnel who are qualified to service the particle accelerator. i) No registrant shall permit a particle accelerator to operate at any time with a safety interlock bypassed, except for necessary testing. Upon such circumvention of an interlock, the registrant shall maintain records showing the date and reasons for bypassing the interlock. A sign shall be posted at the personnel entrance door being bypassed and this condition terminated as soon as possible. j) Additional Requirements - This Department may, by rule, regulation, or order impose upon any registrant such requirements in addition to those established in this Part, as it deems appropriate or necessary to minimize danger to public health and safety or property. Section 390.40 Equipment Controls a) All meters and controls on the accelerator control console shall be clearly identified and easily discernible. Accelerator control consoles shall be equipped with a keyswitch or other device which will render the console inoperative when the key or device is removed. Only one key shall be available to the operating crew. b) All entrances into a target room or other high radiation area shall be provided with a minimum of two personnel interlocks. c) The interlock system shall be designed to prevent restarting of the accelerator without manually resetting the accelerator "ON" switch at the control console after the tripping of a shielding interlock or a power failure. At the time of such an occurrence, the registrant is required to resurvey the radiation area prior to reactivation of the accelerator. Records documenting the circumstances surrounding such occurrences shall be maintained for review by this Department. d) A scram or panic button or other emergency power cut-off switch shall be located and easily identifiable in all accessible high radiation areas. A visible and/or audible signal system shall be installed within the protective enclosure which will be activated a reasonable length of time before the power to the accelerator can be activated. e) Electrical circuit diagrams of the accelerator and the associated interlock system shall be kept current and on file at each accelerator facility. f) All safety and warning devices, including interlocks, shall be checked and appropriately serviced each month. A log and written records of these tests shall be kept by the registrant and made available for inspection by the Department. Section 390.50 Radiation Monitoring a) Portable radiation monitoring equipment must be properly maintained and available at the accelerator facility. An appropriate radiation monitor shall be used for all accelerator target rooms and other high radiation areas. This monitor shall be one or more of the following: 1) An area monitor with an easily observable indicator located near the entrance that warns of radiation levels above a predetermined limit; 2) A personal radiation monitor of this "chirpie" type worn while in the room; 3) A portable survey instrument carried into the room; or 4) A monitor approved by the Department. b) No registrant shall permit any person to enter a restricted area unless each person wears a film badge and a pocket dosimeter. Pocket dosimeters shall be capable of measuring doses from zero to at least 200 milliroentgens. A film badge shall be assigned to and worn by only one person and shall be capable of registering 10 Roentgens or greater. Section 390.60 Radiation Surveys a) The registrant shall maintain sufficient calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments to make physical radiation surveys as required by the Department. Each radiation survey instrument shall be checked every three months and calibrated once a year. After each instrument servicing, a record shall be maintained of the latest response check or calibration date. b) Before a new accelerator with its associated components is placed in routine operation, a radiation protection survey shall be made by a qualified expert and a copy of the results submitted to the Department. c) The area surrounding a particle accelerator and associated components shall be surveyed at intervals not to exceed three months. A record shall be made of the accelerator operating conditions and radiation levels measured at specific control points. These control points must be well defined and reported on at least four consecutive surveys. One of these control points must be at the normal work station of the operator. These records shall be made available for inspection by the Department. Section 390.70 Minimum Training of Particle Accelerator Operators a) All operators shall be instructed in the fundamentals of radiation safety including: 1) Characteristics of beta, gamma and x-radiation. 2) Units of radiation dose (mrem). 3) Hazards of excessive exposure to radiation. 4) Levels of radiation from particle accelerators. 5) Methods used to prevent radiation exposure at the specific facility to be operated: A) Shielding; B) Interlock system; C) Safety rules; D) Radiation monitoring equipment. b) All operators shall be instructed on the use and care of personnel monitoring equipment employed at the facility. c) All operators shall be familiar with the location and use of all operating controls. d) All operators shall be familiar with the requirements of pertinent State regulations. e) All operators shall be familiar with the registrant's written operating and emergency procedures. f) All operators shall receive at least one month of on-the-job training before assuming operational responsibility. g) All operator's assistants or helpers shall receive the training listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this Section.