R 333.5333 Conditions of operation.

Rule 333. (1) An operator shall properly utilize the beam-limiting devices provided to restrict the useful beam to the smallest area consistent with clinical requirements. Particular care shall be taken to align accurately the x-ray beam with the patient and film. (2) The operator shall ensure the presence of adequate filtration before a radiographic procedure. (3) Staff personnel routinely working with or around radiation sources shall not be required by the registrant to hold film or restrain patients during radiography. If such procedure is permitted, personnel exposure shall not exceed the limits in R 333.5057 to R 333.5059 or the procedure shall be prohibited. (4) When a patient must be held in position for radiography, mechanical supporting or restraining devices shall be available and shall be used unless contraindicated. If the patient must be held by an individual, this individual shall wear protective gloves and a protective apron of 0.5 millimeter minimum lead equivalence and shall be positioned so that no part of his or her body can be struck by the useful beam and that his or her body is as far as possible from the edge of the useful beam. (5) Only individuals whose presence is necessary shall be permitted in the radiographic room during an exposure. An individual, except the patient, shall be protected by 0.5 millimeter minimum lead equivalent aprons unless protected by an approved primary barrier. (6) Personnel monitoring shall be performed in controlled areas for each individual occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation from diagnostic x-ray equipment. Individual monitoring devices such as film badge dosimeters or thermoluminescent dosimeters shall be permanently assigned to each occupationally exposed individual. This monitoring shall be continuous during employment as a radiation worker. (7) Personnel exposure records shall be kept on permanent available file at the facility where the exposure occurs. (8) Monitoring devices used to estimate whole body exposure shall normally be worn on the chest or abdomen. Monitoring of all other body parts shall comply with R 333.5065. (9) Monitoring devices worn to estimate personnel occupational exposure shall not be worn by the individual when he or she is exposed as a patient for a medical or dental reason. (10) The gonads of children and individuals who have not passed the reproductive age shall be protected from the useful beam either by the use of shielding (0.5 mm lead equivalent), collimation, or special gonad shields when this does not interfere with the conditions or objectives of the examination. (11) Intensifying screens shall be employed to reduce patient exposure except in cases where a noticeable decrease in image definition may reduce the clinical value of the examination. Film and screen speed combinations shall be carefully selected to produce the necessary clinical information with the least exposure to the patient consistent with current clinical judgment. (12) Film processing materials and techniques shall be those recommended by the x- ray film and processing materials manufacturers unless otherwise tested to ensure maximum information content of the developed film. Sight developing is not permitted except under extreme emergency conditions. Correct temperature control and development time shall be used. (13) A radiographic x-ray system shall not be left unattended without locking the apparatus, room, or building in some manner which prevents use of the apparatus by unauthorized persons. FIXED FLUOROSCOPIC INSTALLATIONS