N.J. Admin. Code § 7:28-15.9 - Individual radiation safety

(a) No person shall operate or permit the operation of certified or uncertified medical radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment or therapy simulation systems unless the following conditions are met:

1. Only individuals required for the medical procedure, for training, or for equipment maintenance shall be in the radiographic or fluoroscopic or therapy simulator room during an exposure.

i. Individuals who are present in a radiographic or fluoroscopic or therapy simulator room during any exposure shall wear protective aprons of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent during every exposure.

ii. Protective gloves of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent shall be worn by the fluoroscopist and assistant(s) during every examination when it is required that their hands be placed in the useful beam;

2. When a patient must be provided with auxiliary support during a radiation exposure and mechanical holding devices are insufficient, the following procedures shall be followed:

i. The person holding the patient shall be protected with a lead apron of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent;

ii. The person holding the patient shall be protected with lead gloves of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent if the hands must be placed in the useful beam;

iii. No licensed practitioner shall order or otherwise cause an individual who is licensed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:2D and this chapter to hold a patient during a radiation exposure, except in a life-threatening situation;

iv. No person shall be employed, routinely assigned, or required to hold a patient during radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures;

v. If a patient must be held during the x-ray exposure, non-radiation workers such as aides, orderlies, nurses, or members of the patient's family may be asked to perform this duty; and

vi. No person other than the patient shall hold the film during the exposure;

3. Gonadal shielding of not less than 0.5 mm lead equivalent shall be used on a patient during radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures, except for cases in which this would interfere with the diagnostic procedure. If the patient is sterile, the use of gonadal shielding may be omitted;

4. The operator shall collimate x-ray units that do not have positive beam limitation to ensure that the x-ray field does not extend beyond the image receptor;

5. The radiographic field shall be restricted to the area of clinical interest as far as practical;

6. A method to observe the patient during the x-ray exposure shall be provided for all units. Observation of the patient shall be made from the shielded area;

7. During radiographic exposures, the operator shall stand behind the protective barrier;

8. The registrant shall provide written safety rules to each individual operating x-ray equipment including any restrictions as to the operating technique required for the safe operation of the particular x-ray apparatus, and require that the operator sign a form acknowledging that the safety manual was read. These safety rules and restrictions shall be made available for review by the Department during any inspection;

9. No person shall permit or arrange for the intentional irradiation of a human being except for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment;

10. No person shall deliberately expose an individual to the useful beam for the sole purpose of training or demonstration; and

11. No person shall operate an ionizing-radiation-producing machine unless that person understands and uses the principles of radiation safety to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:28-15.9