Virginia Law

A. In addition to the radiation protection program requirements of 12VAC5-481-630, a licensee's management shall approve, in writing:

1. Requests for a license application, renewal, or amendment before submittal to the agency;

2. Any individual before allowing that individual to work as an authorized user, authorized nuclear pharmacist, or an authorized medical physicist; and

3. Radiation protection program changes that do not require a license amendment and are permitted under subsection I of this section.

B. The licensee's management shall appoint a radiation safety officer (RSO) who agrees, in writing, to be responsible for implementing the radiation protection program.

The licensee, through the RSO, shall ensure that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with licensee-approved procedures and regulatory requirements. A licensee's management may appoint, in writing, one or more associate RSOs to support the RSO. The RSO, with written agreement of the licensee's management, must assign the specific duties and tasks to each associate RSO. These duties and tasks are restricted to the types of use for which the associate RSO is listed on a license. The RSO may delegate duties and tasks to the associate RSO but shall not delegate the authority or responsibilities for implementing the radiation protection program.

C. For up to 60 days each year, licensees may permit an individual qualified to be an RSO, under 12VAC5-481-1750 and 12VAC5-481-1790, to function as a temporary RSO and to perform the functions of an RSO, as provided in subsection G if the licensee takes the actions required in subsections B, E, G, and H of this section and notifies the agency in accordance with 12VAC5-481-1690 B.

D. A licensee may simultaneously appoint more than one temporary RSO in accordance with subsection C of this section, if needed to ensure that the licensee has a temporary RSO that satisfies the requirements to be an RSO for each of the different types of uses of radioactive material permitted by the license.

E. A licensee shall establish the authority, duties, and responsibilities of the RSO in writing.

F. A licensee that is authorized for two or more different types of uses of radioactive material under Articles 6, 7, and 9 of this part, or two or more types of units under 12VAC5-481-2040 B, shall establish a Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) to oversee all uses of radioactive material permitted by the license. The RSC must include an authorized user of each type of use permitted by the license, the RSO, a representative of the nursing service, and a representative of management who is neither an authorized user nor an RSO. The RSC may include other members the licensee considers appropriate.

G. A licensee shall provide the RSO sufficient authority, organizational freedom, time, resources, and management prerogative to:

1. Identify radiation safety problems;

2. Initiate, recommend, or provide corrective actions;

3. Stop unsafe operations; and

4. Verify implementation of corrective actions.

H. A licensee shall retain a record of actions taken under subsections A, B, and E of this section in accordance with 12VAC5-481-2070.

I. A licensee may revise its radiation protection program without agency approval if:

1. The revision does not require a license amendment under 12VAC5-481-450 or 12VAC5-481-1680;

2. The revision is in compliance with this chapter and the license;

3. The revision has been reviewed and approved by the RSO and licensee management; and

4. The affected individuals are instructed on the revised program before the changes are implemented.