WAC 246-229-0010   Definitions.  "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 radiation or from any surface that the radiation penetrates. For purposes of these regulations, rooms or areas in which diagnostic X-ray systems are used for healing arts purposes are not considered high radiation areas.

     "Particle accelerator" means any machine capable of accelerating electrons, protons, deuterons, or other charged particles in a vacuum and of discharging the resultant particulate or other radiation into a medium at energies usually in excess of 1 MeV.

     "Qualified expert" means an individual who has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department that he or she is knowledgeable, trained, and/or experienced to measure ionizing radiation, evaluate safety techniques, and/or advise appropriately on matters of radiation protection. The department reserves the right to recognize qualifications in specific areas of radiation protection.

     "Radiation machine" means any device capable of producing ionizing radiation except those devices with radioactive materials as the only source of radiation.

     "Radiation safety committee" means a registrant-appointed committee of at least three members to evaluate and approve all proposals for research, diagnostic, and therapeutic use of a particle accelerator. Committee members should include, at a minimum, persons with expertise related to the intended use of the accelerator, and a person experienced in depth dose calculations and radiation safety.

     "Radiation safety officer" means a knowledgeable and responsible person assigned by the registrant who provides radiation protection expertise to facilities and users of radiation machines.

     "Radioactive material" means any material that emits radiation energy spontaneously. A machine that emits X rays is not considered a radioactive material.

     "Registrant" means an owner or controller of a radiation machine who is responsible for the safe operation of the radiation machine.

     "Restricted area" means any area with limited access for the purposes of protecting individuals from undue risks of radiation exposure. A restricted area cannot be a residential area; a building may contain both restricted areas and residential areas.

     "Unrestricted area" means any area freely available to the public, workers, or other persons; and where a person may receive less than 1 mSv (100 mrem) per year or be subject to any dose rate less than 20 µSv/hr (2 mrem/hr).



[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.050 and [70.98.]080. 02-14-050, § 246-229-0010, filed 6/27/02, effective 7/28/02.]