Article 10. Precautionary Procedures
12VAC5-481-850. Radiation symbol; caution signs.
Article 10
Precautionary Procedures
A. Unless otherwise authorized by the agency, the symbol prescribed by this section shall use the colors magenta, purple, or black on a yellow background. The symbol prescribed by this section is the three-bladed design:
1. The cross-hatched area is to be magenta, purple, or black, and
2. The background is to be yellow.
B. Exception to color requirements for standard radiation symbol. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection A of this section, licensees are authorized to label sources, source holders, or device components containing sources of radiation that are subjected to high temperatures with conspicuously etched or stamped radiation caution symbols and without a color requirement.
C. Additional information on signs and labels. In addition to the contents of signs and labels prescribed in this section, the licensee may provide on or near the required signs and labels, additional information, as appropriate, to make individuals aware of potential radiation exposures and to minimize the exposures.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.
12VAC5-481-860. Posting requirements.
A. Licensees shall post each radiation area with a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol as described in 12VAC5-481-850 and the words "CAUTION, RADIATION AREA."
B. Licensees shall post each high radiation area with a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol as described in 12VAC5-481-850 and the words "CAUTION, HIGH RADIATION AREA" or "DANGER, HIGH RADIATION AREA."
C. Licensees shall post each very high radiation area with a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol as described in 12VAC5-481-850 and the words "GRAVE DANGER, VERY HIGH RADIATION AREA."
D. Licensees shall post each airborne radioactivity area with a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol as described in 12VAC5-481-850 and the words, "CAUTION, AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY AREA," or "DANGER, AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY AREA."
E. The licensee shall post each area or room in which there is used or stored an amount of licensed material exceeding 10 times the quantity of such material specified in 12VAC5-481-3700 with a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol as described in 12VAC5-481-850 and the words "CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS" or "DANGER, RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS."
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.
12VAC5-481-870. Exceptions to posting requirements.
A. Licensees are not required to post caution signs in areas or rooms containing radioactive materials for periods of less than eight hours, if the following conditions are met:
1. The materials are constantly attended during these periods by an individual who takes the precautions necessary to prevent the exposure of individuals to radiation or radioactive materials in excess of the limits established in this part; and
2. The area or room is subject to the licensee's control.
B. Rooms or other areas in hospitals that are occupied by patients are not required to be posted with caution signs pursuant to 12VAC5-481-860, provided that the patient could be released from licensee control pursuant to 12VAC5-481-1870.
C. A room or area is not required to be posted with a caution sign because of the presence of a sealed source, provided that the radiation level at 30 centimeters from the surface of the sealed source container or housing does not exceed 5 millirem (0.05 mSv) per hour.
D. Rooms in hospitals or clinics that are used for teletherapy are exempt from the requirement to post caution signs under 12VAC5-481-860 if
1. Access to the room is controlled pursuant to 12VAC5-481-2043; and
2. Personnel in attendance take necessary precautions to prevent the inadvertent exposure of workers, other patients, and members of the public to radiation in excess of the limits established in this part.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.
12VAC5-481-880. Labeling containers and radiation machines.
A. Licensees shall ensure that each container of licensed material bears a durable, clearly visible label bearing the radiation symbol as described in 12VAC5-481-850 and the words "CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" or "DANGER, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL." The label shall also provide sufficient information, such as the radionuclides present, an estimate of the quantity of radioactivity, the date for which the activity is estimated, radiation levels, kinds of materials, and mass enrichment, to permit individuals handling or using the containers or working in the vicinity of the containers to take precautions to avoid or minimize exposures.
B. Each registrant shall ensure that each radiation machine is labeled in a conspicuous manner that cautions individuals that radiation is produced when it is energized.
C. Licensees shall, prior to removal or disposal of empty uncontaminated containers to unrestricted areas, remove or deface the radioactive material label or otherwise clearly indicate that the container no longer contains radioactive materials.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.
12VAC5-481-890. Exemptions to labeling requirements.
Licensees are not required to label:
1. Containers holding licensed material in quantities less than the quantities listed in 12VAC5-481-3700;
2. Containers holding licensed material in concentrations less than those specified in Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 20;
3. Containers attended by an individual who takes the precautions necessary to prevent the exposure of individuals in excess of the limits established by this part;
4. Containers when they are in transport and packaged and labeled in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation;
5. Containers that are accessible only to individuals authorized to handle or use them, or to work in the vicinity of the containers, if the contents are identified to these individuals by readily available written record (e.g., containers in locations such as water filled canals, storage vaults, or hot cells). The record shall be retained as long as the containers are in use for the purpose indicated on the record; or
6. Installed manufacturing or process equipment, such as reactor components, piping, and tanks.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.
12VAC5-481-900. Procedures for receiving and opening packages.
A. Licensees who expect to receive a package containing quantities of radioactive material in excess of a Type A quantity, as defined in 12VAC5-481-10 and 12VAC5-481-3770, shall make arrangements to receive:
1. The package when the carrier offers it for delivery; or
2. Notification of the arrival of the package at the carrier's terminal and to take possession of the package expeditiously.
B. Licensees shall monitor the following:
1.The external surfaces of a labeled package for radioactive contamination unless the package contains only radioactive material in the form of a gas or in special form as defined in 12VAC5-481-10;
2. The external surfaces of a labeled package for radiation levels unless the package contains quantities of radioactive material that are less than or equal to the Type A quantity, as defined in 12VAC5-481-10 and 12VAC5-481-3770; and
3. All packages known to contain radioactive material for radioactive contamination and radiation levels if there is evidence of degradation of package integrity, such as packages that are crushed, wet, or damaged.
C. Licensees shall perform the monitoring required by subsection B of this section as soon as practical after receipt of the package, but not later than three hours after the package is received at the licensee's facility if it is received during the licensee's normal working hours, if there is evidence of degradation of package integrity (e.g., packages that are crushed, wet, or damaged), or if it is received after working hours, not later than three hours from the beginning of the next working day.
D. Licensees shall immediately notify the final delivery carrier and the agency by telephone, when:
1. Removable contamination exceeds the limits of subdivision 9 of 12VAC5-481-3080; or
2. External radiation levels exceed the limits of subdivision 10 of 12VAC5-481-3080.
E. Licensees shall:
1. Establish, maintain, and retain written procedures for safely opening packages in which radioactive material is received; and
2. Ensure that the procedures are followed and that due consideration is given to special instructions for the type of package being opened.
F. Licensees transferring special form sources in licensee-owned or licensee-operated vehicles to and from a work site are exempt from the contamination monitoring requirements of subsection B of this section, but are not exempt from the survey requirements in subsection B of this section for measuring radiation levels that are required to ensure that the source is still properly lodged in its shield.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.