Section 157.79. Veterinary medicine x-ray systems.

 

(1)   General. The requirements of this section apply to all animal use x-ray systems used in veterinary practice and are in addition to other provisions in subchs. I and III .

(2)   Equipment.

(a) The tube housing shall be electrically shock proof and of a diagnostic type. The x-ray tube may not be hand-held during exposures.

(b) A device shall be provided to terminate the exposure after a preset time or exposure.

(c) A dead-man type of exposure switch shall be provided with an electrical cord of sufficient length so that the operator or the assistant, may stand out of the useful beam and at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the table during all x-ray exposures. A foot operated exposure switch may be used and this switch may be integrated into the table base or the foot switch may be on a 2 meter (6.5 feet) cord.

(3)   Operating procedures.

(a) The operator shall stand at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the tube housing and the animal during radiographic exposures. The operator may not stand in the useful beam. Hand-held fluoroscopic screens may not be used. The tube housing may not be held by the operator. No person other than the operator may be in an x-ray room while exposures are being made unless another person's assistance is required.

(b) During any application in which the operator is not located behind a protective barrier, the operator and any other persons in the room during exposures shall wear protective clothing consisting of a protective apron having a lead equivalent of not less than 0.5 millimeter unless measurements indicate otherwise.

(c) Any person holding or supporting an animal or the film during radiation exposure shall wear protective gloves that surround the hand and a protective apron having a lead equivalent of not less than 0.5 millimeter. Devices that only partially shield the hands are prohibited.

(d) Veterinary fluoroscopy systems shall be operated only under the direct supervision of the licensed veterinarian.

(4)   Animal support. Mechanical restraints shall be used to restrict movement of the animal unless the restraints interfere with the examination of the animal. No persons may be regularly utilized to hold or support animals during radiation exposures. Operating personnel may not perform this service except in cases where no other person is available.

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