Chapter Eight - Radiation Safety

Portable x-ray Generators:

The portable X-ray generator and bench are designed to provide flood field exposure for calibrating x-ray detectors (CCD and image plate).

1. The X-ray generator will be disabled at all times that it is not in use by removing the front panel key and storing it in a secure location.

2. Set-up will come under the supervision of cognizant CHESS safety officer (Don Bilderback, Ken Finkelstein or Dana Richter) who will log the arrival and departure of the unit in the CHESS Safety logbook.  Two safety committee members will check that these procedures have been followed.  At the same time, the signboard of CHESS hazards will list the hutch where the unit is in use and the name and phone number of the safety officer.  The CHESS operator will be informed of the arrival and installation of this equipment.  A few descriptive sheets about the x-ray equipment will be placed in the orange safety notebook at the operators desk.  The x-ray generator and collimator tube will be placed in the orange safety notebook at the operators desk.  The x-ray generator and collimator tube will be positioned in a manner that minimizes human exposure in the event of an accident.  For example, the x-ray source will not be aimed at the door of a hutch.  In addition, a backstop will be provided to block the opening during extended times when no detector is in position to be calibrated.

3. A CHESS film badge must be worn on the body when operating the unit.

4. First time users of this system must first receive instruction and then permission from Quan Hao, the permit holder.  The authorized list of users appears in the back of the logbook attached to the x-ray generator.  No changes of x-ray tubes or modification of the shutter area, etc. should be undertaken without the specific involvement and supervision of Quan Hao.

5. Equipment must be operated in the hutch with the door closed and the HV interlocked to the door micro-switch.  After the equipment is set up, the hutch door should be opened with low HV and no ma to verify that the generator HV is disabled when the door is opened.  A sign labeled "Caution-Radiation" will be prominently displayed (Note: to say "Radiation Area", on must measure greater than 2 mR/hr dose rates).  Upon startup of the x-ray generator, the user should enter the date, operator name, operating conditions of max KV and ma and the results of the x-ray survey (Survey inside the hutch with the interlock defeated).

6. Entries will be made in the CHESS safety logbook upon completion of the tests when the equipment has been removed.

Last Update: 2006-09-21