64E-5.434. Training, Testing, Certification, and Audits

(1) The licensee or registrant shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer’s assistant until such individual:

(a) Receives a copy of the licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures;

(b) Completes 8 hours of training, including instruction in the licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures and supervised instruction in use of the licensee’s or registrant’s radiographic equipment, related handling tools, radiation survey instruments, and personnel monitoring devices during a special training session; and

(c) Successfully completes a closed-book, written examination on the licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures and a practical examination that is not conducted during production radiography to demonstrate competence in the use of the licensee’s or registrant’s radiographic equipment, related handling tools, radiation survey instruments, and personnel monitoring devices.

(2) Licensees and registrants can allow individuals who have completed the training and testing specified in paragraphs 64E-5.434(2)(a)-(d), F.A.C., below, to perform industrial radiography for 12 months after the effective date of these rules. The licensee or registrant shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer until such individual:

(a) Receives copies of rules contained in Chapter 64E-5, Parts I-IV, IX and XV, F.A.C., applicable USDOT regulations, the appropriate license or certificate of registration, and the licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures;

(b)1. For radioactive material radiographic operations, completes 320 hours of on-the-job training in industrial radiography, excluding hours as specified in subparagraph 64E‑5.434(2)(b)2., F.A.C., below, as a radiographer’s assistant using radioactive material; or

2. For machine produced radiographic operations, completes 200 hours of on-the-job training using radiation machines;

(c) Receives 40 hours of formal instruction in the subjects outlined in subsection 64E‑5.434(6), F.A.C., and supervised instruction during a special training session in the inspection and use of the licensee’s or registrant’s radiographic equipment, related handling tools, radiation survey instruments, and personnel monitoring devices;

(d) Successfully completes a closed-book, written examination on the subjects outlined in subsection 64E‑5.434(6), F.A.C., and a practical examination to demonstrate competence in the use of the licensee’s or registrant’s radiographic and safety equipment; and

(e) Is certified by a certifying entity.

(3) Radiographers who work for an out-of-state radioactive materials license under reciprocal recognition are authorized to conduct radiographic operations within the state if they have a valid certification from a certifying entity for the activities being conducted before entering the state.

(4) Any individual who has completed all requirements specified in subsection 64E-5.434(2), F.A.C., above, and begins work for a different Florida licensee or registrant shall complete 4 hours of additional training and testing before conducting radiographic operations. The training shall consist of instructions in the licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures and supervised instruction during a special training session in the use of the licensee’s or registrant’s radiographic and safety equipment. The testing shall consist of successful completion of the written and practical examinations described in paragraph 64E-5.434(1)(c), F.A.C. The RSO shall document how the prior radiation training and experience was verified.

(5) Personnel using industrial cabinet x-ray systems for industrial radiography shall complete 16 hours of training and testing as described below:

(a) Ten hours of training and testing as described in subsection 64E-5.434(6), F.A.C.; and

(b) Two hours of instruction in the registrant’s operating and emergency procedures pertaining to industrial radiography using industrial cabinet x-ray systems, 2 hours of supervised instruction during a special training session in the use of the registrant’s industrial cabinet x-ray system, related handling tools, radiation survey instruments, and personnel monitoring devices, and 2 hours of testing, which shall consist of a written examination covering operating and emergency procedures and equipment use and a practical examination to demonstrate competence in the use of the registrant’s industrial cabinet x-ray system and related equipment.

(6) The subjects to be covered during the instruction of radiographers shall include:

(a) Fundamentals of radiation safety, including characteristics of radiation, units of radiation dose, quantities of radioactivity, hazards of radiation exposure, radiation protection standards, radiation levels from sources of radiation, and methods of minimizing radiation dose.

(b) Radiation detection instruments, including:

1. Use, operation, calibration, and limitations of radiation survey instruments;

2. Survey techniques; and

3. Use of personnel monitoring equipment.

(c) Equipment to be used, including, as applicable:

1. Operation and control of radiation machines, radiographic exposure equipment, remote handling equipment, source changers, storage containers, and transport containers, including pictures or models of source assemblies;

2. Storage, control, and disposal of licensed material; and

3. Inspection and maintenance of equipment.

(d) The applicable requirements of these rules and NRC and USDOT regulations.

(e) The licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures.

(f) Case histories of industrial radiography accidents.

(7) Each licensee or registrant shall provide 8 hours of refresher annual radiation safety training to all radiographic personnel, which can be conducted in multiple sessions.

(8) The RSO or the RSO’s designee shall audit the job performance of each radiographer and radiographer’s assistant to ensure that the department’s regulations, license requirements, and the licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures are followed. The audits shall include observation of the performance of each radiographer or radiographer’s assistant during an actual radiographic operation at intervals not to exceed 6 months. Radiographers or radiographer’s assistants who have not participated in a radiographic operation for more than 6 months since the last audit shall demonstrate knowledge of the licensee’s or registrant’s operating and emergency procedures and safe use of radiographic and related equipment by a practical examination before participating in a radiographic operation. Audits of the RSO are not required.

(9) Individuals conducting internal radiation safety training or audits shall meet the minimum qualifications specified in subsection 64E-5.433(1), F.A.C., for the RSO.

Rulemaking Authority 404.051, 404.061 FS. Law Implemented 404.022, 404.051(1), (4), 404.061(2) FS. History–New 9-11-01, Amended 9-28-06.