Washington Administrative Code

A registrant may submit a written request to the department for a variance from the applicable regulations. The registrant shall not use X-ray equipment on patients until the department approves the variance request.(1) The written request shall be addressed to: X-ray Supervisor,…

(1) Each X-ray exposure button must be located to meet the following criteria:(a) For stationary X-ray systems, the X-ray exposure button must be permanently mounted in a protected area so that the operator can make an exposure only from the protected area; and(b) Mobile X-ray sy…

Registrants shall use only dental X-ray systems and medical X-ray systems for dental imaging that meet the following requirements:(1) The leakage radiation from the tube housing assembly, measured at a distance of one meter in any direction from the source, must not exceed 100 mi…

Registrants shall use X-ray systems for extra-oral radiography that meet the following requirements for:(1) Beam limitation.(a) X-ray equipment designed for only one image receptor size at a fixed SID must be able to limit the size of the beam at the plane of the image receptor t…

(1) Registrants using an X-ray system designed for use with an intra-oral image receptor shall use equipment that:(a) Limits the SSD to not less than 18 centimeters;(b) Limits the X-ray beam so that the beam diameter at the minimum SSD is no greater than 7 centimeters in diameter…

The following requirements apply to hand-held X-ray systems:(1) Registrants using hand-held X-ray systems must provide for security and safe storage while not in use.(2) The image receptor used with hand-held dental X-ray systems must either be:(a) A speed class of intra-oral fil…

Standards in this section are designed to assure that optimal X-ray image quality and diagnostic information are produced so that fewer retakes are needed, and associated patient and operator exposure is minimized.(1) When performing manual film processing (also known as hand tan…

Registrants found in violation of WAC 246-225A-090 (1)(f) or (2) shall comply with the following quality assurance requirements for a minimum of three months:(1) Conduct an acceptable quality assurance program that includes weekly tests of film processing to include:(a) Density o…

The requirements of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the provisions of chapter 70A.388 RCW.This chapter establishes CT X-ray system requirements for the intentional exposure of humans to ionizing radiation for diagnostic imaging.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040 and 2020 c …

(1) Registrants exclusively using low power CT X-ray systems (5 kW or less) or cone-beam CT X-ray systems are exempt from the requirements of this chapter and shall comply with chapter 246-225 WAC. Cone-beam CT X-ray system is a variation of gantry-style CT X-ray system that rota…

In addition to the requirements established in this chapter, registrants shall also comply with applicable requirements of the following:(1) Chapter 246-220 WAC;(2) Chapter 246-221 WAC;(3) Chapter 246-222 WAC;(4) Chapter 246-224 WAC;(5) Chapter 246-225 WAC; and(6) Chapter 246-254…

The definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms in this section, WAC 246-220-010 and 246-225-010, apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.(1) "CT" or "computed tomography" means technology that uses computer-processed X-rays to produce tomographi…

The CT X-ray system must:(1) Meet the requirements of 21 C.F.R. Sec. 1020.33 (last amended June 10, 2005) at the time of installation and while the CT X-ray system is registered with the department under chapter 246-224 WAC; and(2) Be equipped:(a) With a visible signal that indic…

(1) The location of a CT X-ray system must be designed and constructed:(a) To provide for two-way verbal communication between the patient and the operator at the control panel;(b) To allow the operator to continuously observe the patient from the control panel during irradiation…

(1) The registrant shall:(a) Establish a procedure to record and retrieve CTDIvol, DLP and, when available on the CT X-ray system, SSDE data from every CT procedure performed; and(b) If available, send each protocol page that lists the technique factors electronically to the PACS…

The CTDIvol for the following CT procedure on phantoms may not exceed the dose limits established in Table 1.Table 1: Dose limitsCT ProcedurePhantom SizeDose Limit:CTDIvol(mGy)Adult head16 cm80Adult abdomen32 cm30Pediatric head (one year old)16 cm40Pediatric abdomen(40 pounds)16 …

(1) The purpose of this section is to improve patient safety by supporting health care providers and facilities in their efforts to reduce the incidence of medical errors that contribute to deterministic injurious health effects. This rule does not relieve the department of its s…

A medical physicist must meet the requirements of either subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section, and meet the continuing education and experience requirements of subsections (4) and (5) of this section to perform the duties of a medical physicist. To qualify as a medical phy…

(1) Each registrant with a CT X-ray system shall employ or contract with a licensed health care professional to perform CT procedures. Nothing in this chapter prohibits the registrant from requiring the employed or contracted radiologic technologist to hold a recognized national …

(1) The registrant shall establish, document, and implement a quality control program in consultation with the medical physicist before using a CT X-ray system. The quality control program must be consistent with the manufacturer's recommended quality control standards if availab…

The medical physicist shall conduct a performance evaluation to assess the quality and safety of the CT X-ray system and its operation.(1) A performance evaluation must be conducted:(a) Within thirty days of installation if the CT X-ray system passes all manufacture installation …

(1) The registrant shall maintain written information regarding the operation and calibration of the CT X-ray system including, but not limited to, the following:(a) Dates of the latest calibration and where the results are located; and(b) Quality control program results required…

A registrant may submit a written request to the department for a variance from the applicable regulations. The registrant shall not use CT X-ray system on patients until the department approves the variance request.(1) The written request shall be addressed to: X-ray Supervisor,…

The regulations in this chapter establish radiation safety requirements for persons utilizing X-ray machines for industrial radiography. The requirements of this part are in addition to and not in substitution for the other requirements of these regulations.[Statutory Authority: …

As used in this part:(1) "Enclosed radiography" means industrial radiography employing radiation machines conducted in an enclosed cabinet or room and includes cabinet radiography and shielded room radiography.(a) "Cabinet radiography" means industrial radiography employing radia…

(1) The registrant shall maintain sufficient calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments to make physical radiation surveys as required by this part and chapter 246-221 WAC. Instrumentation required by this section shall have a range such that two milliroentgens per hour…

(1) Each registrant shall maintain records of the following information for three years after the date of each radiographic operation and shall maintain these records for inspection by the department:(a) A description (or make and model number) of the radiation machine used along…

(1) No registrant shall permit any individual to act as a radiographer as defined in this chapter until such individual:(a) Has been instructed in the subjects outlined in WAC 246-227-170;(b) Has received copies of and instruction in the regulations contained in chapters 246-220,…

The registrant's operating and emergency procedures shall include instructions in at least the following:(1) The handling and use of radiation machines to be employed such that no individual is likely to be exposed to radiation doses in excess of the limits established in chapter…

(1) No registrant shall permit any individual to act as a radiographer or as a radiographer's assistant unless, at all times during radiographic operations, each such individual shall wear a film or TLD badge and a direct reading pocket dosimeter. Pocket dosimeters shall be capab…

(1) During each radiographic operation, the radiographer or radiographer's assistant shall maintain a direct surveillance of the operation to protect against unauthorized entry into a high radiation area, as defined in chapter 246-220 WAC except:(a) Where the high radiation area …

Notwithstanding any provisions in WAC 246-221-130, areas in which radiography is being performed shall be conspicuously posted and access to the area shall be controlled as required by WAC 246-221-120. This requirement shall not apply to areas using enclosed radiography systems (…

Each registrant conducting industrial radiography shall have the following documents, where applicable, available on site for inspection by the department:(1) Operating and emergency procedures;(2) Applicable regulations;(3) Survey records required pursuant to WAC 246-227-050;(4)…

(1) Shielded room radiography systems and cabinet systems shall:(a) Comply with all applicable requirements of this chapter and WAC 246-221-060;(b) Be interlocked such that the exposure will terminate if a door or port accessible to individuals is opened during the exposure, exce…

Permanent radiographic installations having high radiation area entrance controls of the types described in WAC 246-221-102(1) or where the high radiation area is locked to protect against unauthorized or accidental entry, shall also meet the following special requirements:(1) Ea…

(1) Fundamentals of radiation safety:(a) Characteristics of ionizing radiation;(b) Units of radiation dose (mrem) and quantity of radioactivity (curie);(c) Hazards of exposure to radiation:(i) Radiation protection standards;(ii) Biological effects of radiation dose;(d) Levels of …

This chapter provides special requirements for analytical X-ray equipment. The requirements of this chapter are in addition to, and not in substitution for, applicable requirements in other chapters of these regulations.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 12…

(1) "Analytical X-ray equipment" means equipment used for X-ray diffraction or fluorescence analysis.(2) "Analytical X-ray system" means a group of components utilizing X-rays to determine the elemental composition or to examine the microstructure of materials.(3) "Fail-safe char…

(1) Safety device. A device which prevents the entry of any portion of an individual's body into the primary X-ray beam path, or which causes the beam to be shut off upon entry into its path, shall be provided for all open-beam configurations. A registrant or licensee may apply t…

(1) Radiation levels. The local components of an analytical X-ray system shall be located and arranged and shall include sufficient shielding or access control such that no radiation levels exist in any area surrounding the local component group which could result in a dose to an…

(1) Procedures. Routine operating procedures shall be written and available to all analytical X-ray equipment workers. No person shall be permitted to operate analytical X-ray equipment in any manner other than that specified in the procedures unless such person has obtained writ…

(1) Instruction. No person shall be permitted to operate or maintain analytical X-ray equipment unless such person has received instruction in and demonstrated competence as to:(a) Identification of radiation hazards associated with the use of the equipment;(b) Significance of th…

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate certain sources of ionizing radiation as required by RCW 70A.388.040 and 70A.388.050. This chapter provides for the registration and use of all particle accelerators installed and/or used in Washington state.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.…

"Department" means the department of health."High radiation area" means any area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels could result in an individual receiving a dose equivalent in excess of 1 mSv (100 mrem) in one hour at 30 centimeters from any source of radiatio…

(1) Anyone installing or using particle accelerators in Washington state must get department approval by registering with the department according to chapter 246-224 WAC, Radiation protection—Radiation machine assembly and registration, prior to installation or use of the particl…

(1) The registrant must:(a) Ensure training for operators to use the particle accelerator that meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section; and(b) Maintain training records that demonstrate compliance with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section for two ye…

(1) Registrants must meet the radiation standards of chapter 246-220 WAC, Radiation protection—General provisions; chapter 246-221 WAC, Radiation protection standards; and chapter 246-222 WAC, Radiation protection—Worker rights; for public, operator, and user protection.(2) Depen…

The radiation safety committee, the radiation safety officer of the facility, and the department are authorized to terminate the particle accelerator operations at a facility if the action is determined necessary to protect health and minimize danger to public health and safety o…

(1) Shielding and safety design. The installation must include:(a) Primary and secondary radiation barriers to comply with the radiation protection standards of WAC 246-221-010 and 246-221-060.(b) If necessary, a ventilation system designed to limit exposure to airborne radioacti…

At a minimum, the procedures must include instruction on:(1) Securing the accelerator to prevent unauthorized use.(2) Operating the accelerator.(3) Responding to an emergency involving the accelerator.(4) Performing safety and warning device (including interlocks) checks at least…