Section 157.29. Precautionary procedures.

 

(1)   Caution signs.

(a) Standard radiation symbol. Unless otherwise authorized by the department, the standard radiation symbol shall use the colors magenta, purple or black on a yellow background and shall be the 3-bladed design depicted in Figure DHS 157.29.

Figure DHS 157.29. Radiation Symbol

- See PDF for diagram

1. Cross-hatched area is to be magenta, purple or black.

2. The background is to be yellow.

(b) Exception to color requirements for standard radiation symbol. Notwithstanding the requirements of par. (a) , a licensee or registrant is 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, a licensee or registrant 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.

(2)   Posting requirements.

(a) Posting of radiation areas. A licensee or registrant shall post a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol and the words "CAUTION, RADIATION AREA" in each radiation area.

(b) Posting of high radiation areas. A licensee or registrant shall post a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol and the words "CAUTION, HIGH RADIATION AREA" or "DANGER, HIGH RADIATION AREA" in each high radiation area.

(c) Posting of very high radiation areas. A licensee or registrant shall post a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol and the words "EXTREME DANGER, VERY HIGH RADIATION AREA" or "GRAVE DANGER, VERY HIGH RADIATION AREA" in each very high radiation area.

(d) Posting of airborne radioactivity areas. A licensee or registrant shall post a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol and the words "CAUTION, AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY AREA" or "DANGER, AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY AREA" in each airborne radioactivity area.

(e) Posting of areas or rooms in which licensed or registered material is used or stored. A licensee or registrant shall post a conspicuous sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol and the words "CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL(S)" or "DANGER, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL(S)" in each area or room in which there is used or stored an amount of licensed or registered material exceeding 10 times the quantity of the material specified in Appendix F.

(3)   Exceptions to posting requirements.

(a) A licensee or registrant is not required to post caution signs in areas or rooms containing sources of radiation for periods of less than 8 hours if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The sources of radiation are constantly attended during these periods by an individual who takes the precautions necessary to prevent the exposure of individuals to sources of radiation in excess of the limits established in this subchapter.

2. The area or room is subject to the licensee's or registrant's control.

(b) Rooms or other areas in hospitals that are occupied by patients are not required to be posted with caution signs under sub. (2) provided that the requirements of s. DHS 157.64 (2) (a) or 157.65 (4) (a) are met.

(c) Rooms or other areas in hospitals that are occupied by patients are not required to be posted with caution signs, provided that no member of the public could receive a deep dose equivalent in excess of 5 mSv (500 mrem) from entering the room during the patient's stay.

(d) A room or area is not required to be posted with a caution sign because of the presence of a sealed source provided the radiation level at 30 centimeters from the surface of the sealed source container or housing does not exceed 0.05 mSv (5 mrem) per hour.

(e) A room or area is not required to be posted with a caution sign because of the presence of radiation machines used solely for diagnosis in the healing arts.

(4)   Labeling containers and radiation machines.

(a) A licensee or registrant shall ensure that each container of licensed or registered material bears a durable, clearly visible label bearing the radiation symbol and the words "CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" or "DANGER, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL." The label shall also provide 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) A licensee or registrant 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.

(c) A registrant shall ensure that each radiation machine is conspicuously labeled cautioning individuals that radiation is produced when it is energized.

(5)   Exemptions to labeling requirements. A licensee or registrant is not required to label any of the following:

(a) Containers holding licensed or registered material in quantities less than the quantities listed in Appendix F.

(b) Containers holding licensed or registered material in concentrations less than those specified in Table III of Appendix E.

(c) Containers attended by an individual who takes the precautions necessary to prevent the exposure of individuals in excess of the limits established by this subchapter.

(d) Containers in transport and packaged and labeled under the regulations of the U.S. department of transportation.

(e) 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 a readily available written record. The record shall be retained as long as the containers are in use for the purpose indicated on the record.

(f) Installed manufacturing or process equipment, such as piping and tanks.

(6)   Procedures for receiving and opening packages.

(a) A licensee or registrant who expects to receive a package containing quantities of radioactive material in excess of a type A quantity shall make arrangements to receive the package under either of the following conditions:

1. When the carrier offers it for delivery.

2. Upon notification of the arrival of the package at the carrier's terminal and possession of the package is taken expeditiously.

(b) A licensee or registrant shall do all the following:

1. Monitor the external surfaces of a labeled package for radioactive contamination unless the package contains only radioactive material in the form of gas or in special form as defined in subch. I .

2. Monitor 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.

3. Monitor 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) In par. (b) , "labeled" means displaying a Radioactive White I, Yellow II, or Yellow III label as specified in U.S. department of transportation regulations 49 CFR 172.403 and 172.436 to 172.440 .

(d) A licensee or registrant shall perform the monitoring required by par. (b) as soon as practicable after receipt of the package, but not later than 3 hours after the package is received at the licensee's or registrant's facility if it is received during the licensee's or registrant's normal working hours or if there is evidence of degradation of package integrity, such as a package that is crushed, wet or damaged. If a package is received after working hours and has no evidence of degradation of package integrity, the package shall be monitored no later than 3 hours from the beginning of the next working day.

(e) A licensee or registrant shall immediately notify the final delivery carrier and, by telephone and either telegram or facsimile, the department under either of the following conditions:

1. Removable radioactive surface contamination exceeds the limits of s. DHS 157.94 (1) (i) .

2. External radiation levels exceed the limits of s. DHS 157.94 (1) (j) .

(f) A licensee or registrant shall do all the following:

1. Establish, maintain and retain written procedures for safely opening packages in which radioactive material is received.

2. Ensure that the procedures are followed and that due consideration is given to special instructions for the type of package being opened.

(g) A licensee or registrant transferring special form sources in vehicles owned or operated by the licensee or registrant to and from a work site is exempt from the contamination monitoring requirements of par. (b) , but is not exempt from the monitoring requirement in par. (b) for measuring radiation levels that ensures that the source is still properly lodged in its shield.

CR 01-108 : cr. Register July 2002 No. 559 , eff. 8-1-02; CR 06-021 : am. (6) (e) 2. Register October 2006 No. 610 , eff. 11-1-06; CR 09-062 : am. (6) (e) 1. Register April 2010 No. 652 , eff. 5-1-10.

Note

Mass enrichment is a process used to increase the percentage of the isotope U-235 present in refined uranium. The amount of U-235 present is expressed in percent enrichment on the label. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Labeling of packages containing radioactive materials is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation if the amount and type of radioactive materials exceeds the limits for an excepted quantity or article as defined and limited by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations 49 CFR 173.403 (m) and (w) and 173.421 to 173.424. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Examples of the type of containers in par. (e) are containers in locations such as water-filled canals or storage vaults. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 The Department may be reached during normal business hours of 7:45 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except state holidays, at 608-267-4797. The facsimile transmission number is 608-267-3695. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1