64E-5.437. Personnel Monitoring

(1) The licensee or registrant shall not permit any individual to act as a radiographer or a radiographer’s assistant unless the individual wears on the trunk of his or her body at all times during radiographic operations:

(a) A NVLAP-approved personnel monitoring badge such as a film badge, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) or optically stimulated luminescent device (OSLD);

(b) A direct reading pocket dosimeter, which can be either an ion chamber or electronic personal dosimeter; and

(c) An alarming ratemeter. Alarm ratemeters are not required for radiography performed in an approved permanent radiographic installation meeting the requirements of Rule 64E-5.431, F.A.C.

(2) Each personnel monitoring badge shall be assigned to and worn by only one individual and shall be exchanged monthly. After exchange each badge shall be processed as soon as possible. If a report is received from the badge processor that indicates an individual has received a radiation exposure in excess of 5 rem (0.05 Sv), the licensee or registrant shall notify the department within 24 hours as specified in subsection 64E-5.344(2), F.A.C. If a personnel monitoring badge is lost or damaged, the worker shall cease work immediately until a replacement badge is provided and the exposure is calculated by the RSO or the RSO’s designee for the time period from issuance to loss or damage of the badge. The results of the calculated exposure and the time period for which the personnel monitoring badge was lost or damaged shall be provided to the processor to adjust the individual’s occupational exposure record.

(3) Pocket dosimeters shall have a range from 0 to 200 millirem (2 mSv) and shall be recharged at the start of each shift and when 75% of the full scale of the dosimeter is exceeded. Initial, final, and total pocket dosimeter readings shall be recorded at the start and end of each shift.

(4) If an individual’s pocket dosimeter is found to be off-scale or if an individual’s electronic personal dosimeter reads more than 200 millirem (2 mSv) and the possibility of radiation exposure cannot be ruled out as the cause, the individual’s personnel monitoring badge shall be sent for processing within 24 hours. In addition, the individual shall not resume radiographic operations until a determination of the individual’s radiation exposure has been made by the RSO or the RSO’s designee. The results of this determination shall be reported in writing to the department within 30 days of the determination.

(5) Each alarming ratemeter shall:

(a) Have a function test without being exposed to radiation to ensure that the audible alarm is functioning properly before use at the start of each work shift;

(b) Give an alarm at a preset dose rate of no more than 500 millirem (0.5 mSv) per hour; and

(c) Require special means to change the preset alarm function.

(6) Pocket dosimeters and alarm ratemeters shall be calibrated annually for correct response to radiation by a person licensed by the department, another agreement state, licensing state, or the NRC. Acceptable dosimeters shall read within 20% of the true radiation exposure. Ion chamber dosimeters also shall be checked for response to drift by setting the dosimeter at zero and storing it in a low background area for at least 24 hours and for electrical leakage, which shall be no more than 1% of full scale for each 24 hours. Acceptable ratemeters shall alarm within 20% of the true radiation dose rate.

Rulemaking Authority 404.051 FS. Law Implemented 404.022, 404.051(1), (4), 404.081(1), (2) FS. History–New 9-11-01.