(1) Each licensee shall conduct a program of visual inspection and maintenance of source holders, logging tools, source handling tools, storage containers, transport containers, injection tools, and sinker bars to ensure that the required labeling is legible and that visual physical damage is absent. The licensee shall perform the visual inspection and maintenance at least every three months. Such inspection and maintenance shall follow the manufacturers recommendations for the equipment involved. Licensees shall maintain records of inspections and maintenance for three years for inspection by the department.
(2) Each licensee shall maintain appropriate copies of manufacturer's operating and maintenance instructions at those locations where such inspection and maintenance is performed.
(3) Each licensee shall inspect the source holders, logging tools, and source handling tools for obvious defects before the equipment is used each day to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition.
(4) If any inspection conducted pursuant to this section reveals damage to the labeling or to components critical for radiation safety, the licensee shall remove the item from service until authorized repairs are made.
(5) Removal of a sealed source from a source holder, and maintenance on sealed sources, holders, or pressure housings in which sealed sources are placed, or on other equipment containing a sealed source may not be performed unless a written instruction for the particular operation in question has been approved by the department as part of the license application.
(6) If a sealed source is stuck in a source holder or logging tool, the licensee may not perform any operations such as drilling, cutting, or chiseling on the source holder or logging tool, unless it is specifically licensed by the department to perform this operation.
(7) The repair, opening, or modification of any sealed source must be performed only by persons specifically licensed to do so by the department, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an agreement state, or a licensing state.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-244-130, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW
70.98.080. WSR 87-01-031 (Order 2450), § 402-38-240, filed 12/11/86.]