NAC459.7741. Notifying Radiological Health Section of certain events; procedure when sealed source is not retrievable.

     1. A licensee shall immediately notify the Radiological Health Section of the Division by telephone and subsequently, within 30 days, by confirmatory letter if the licensee knows, or has reason to believe, that a sealed source has been ruptured. The letter must:

     (a) Designate the well or other location;

     (b) Describe the magnitude and extent of the escape of radioactive materials;

     (c) Assess the consequences of the rupture; and

     (d) Explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate the consequences of the rupture.

     2. A licensee or registrant shall notify the Radiological Health Section by telephone of:

     (a) The theft or loss of a source of radiation;

     (b) Overexposures to radiation;

     (c) Excessive levels and concentrations of radiation; and

     (d) Accidents, as required by NAC 459.369, 459.3695 and 459.371;

     3. When a sealed source becomes lodged in a well and it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the sealed source will not be successful, a licensee shall:

     (a) Notify the radiological health section by telephone of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source and obtain approval to carry out abandonment procedures;

     (b) Advise the well owner or operator of the abandonment procedures set forth in NAC 459.7645;

     (c) Ensure that abandonment procedures are completed within 30 days after the sealed source has been classified irretrievable or request an extension of time from the Division to permit completion of the abandonment procedures; and

     (d) Make a report in writing to the Division within 30 days after a sealed source has been classified irretrievable. The licensee must send a copy of the report to each state or federal agency that issued permits or otherwise approved of the well drilling operation. The report must contain the following information:

          (1) The date of occurrence;

          (2) A description of the irretrievable well logging source involved, including the radionuclide and its quantity and chemical and physical form;

          (3) The surface location and identification of the well;

          (4) The results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place;

          (5) A brief description of the attempted recovery effort;

          (6) The depth of the source;

          (7) The depth of the top of the cement plug;

          (8) The depth of the well;

          (9) Any other information required by the Division, such as a warning statement contained on the permanent identification plaque; and

          (10) The names of the state and federal agencies receiving a copy of the report.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 9-6-88; A 1-18-94)