Section R12-1-731. Safety Procedures and Instructions for Remote Afterloader Units, Teletherapy Units, and Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery Units

A.      A licensee shall:

1.        Secure the unit, the console, the console keys, and the treatment room when not in use or unattended;

2.        Permit only individuals approved by the authorized user, radiation safety officer, or authorized medical physicist to be present in the treatment room during treatment with a source;

3.        Prevent dual operation of more than one radiation pro- ducing device in a treatment room if applicable; and

4.        Develop, implement, and maintain written procedures for responding to an abnormal situation when the operator is unable to place a source in the shielded position, or remove the patient or human research subject from the radiation field with controls from outside the treatment room. These procedures shall include:

a.         Instructions for responding to equipment  failures and the names of the individuals responsible for implementing corrective actions;

b.        The process for restricting access to and posting of the treatment area to minimize the risk of inadver- tent exposure; and

c.         The names and telephone numbers of the authorized users, the authorized medical physicist, and the radi- ation safety officer to be contacted if the unit or con- sole operates abnormally.

B.       A licensee shall post instructions at the unit console to inform the operator of:

1.        The location of the procedures required by subsection (A)(4); and

2.        The names and telephone numbers of the authorized users, the authorized medical physicist, and the radiation safety officer to be contacted if the unit or console oper- ates abnormally.

C.      A licensee shall provide instruction, initially and at least annu- ally, to all individuals who operate the unit, as appropriate to the individual’s assigned duties, in:

1.        The procedures identified in subsection (A)(4); and

2.        The operating procedures for the unit.

D.      A licensee shall ensure that operators, authorized medical physicists, and authorized users participate in drills of the emergency procedures, initially and at least annually.

E.       A licensee shall retain a record of individuals receiving instruction required by subsection (C) for three years from the date of the instruction.

F.       A licensee shall maintain a copy of the procedures required by subsections (A)(4) and (C)(2) for Agency review. The copy shall be maintained for three years beyond the termination date of the activities for which the procedures were written.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R.

1217, effective May 5, 2007 (Supp. 07-1).