This was an unannounced office safety inspection of this analytical x-ray registrant, which is located at 1927 Commercial drive, Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The registrant owns and operates one x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical x-ray unit, Thermo Fisher Scientific, model XL3t 980, serial numbers 92731, which is routinely utilized to perform alloy analysis of metals. This is the first inspection of the facility. One area of concern was revealed during the current inspection The registrant lacked a copy of the LAC:33:XV, “Radiation Protection” regulations, this was a violation of LAC:33:XV: 1011. A.1. This area of concern was corrected at the time of inspection.
A. Personnel and Personnel Monitoring:
Scott Monteleone is the radiation safety official at this facility and the only operator of the XRF Device. Mr. Monteleone received training to operate the device from Thermo Scientific. The registrant maintains documentation of x-ray radiation safety and operator training for Mr. Monteleone. Although he is not likely to receive close to 10% of the annual occupational exposure limit, Mr. Monteleone is issued a TLD and ring badge from Mirion Technologies quarterly. Dosimetry reports are available from the main office in Port Arthur Texas.
B. Warning devices: …show more content…
The XRF unit possessed a warning label, easily visible by the operator, stating, “Caution, Radiation”, This Equipment Produces Radiation When Energized”. The XRF unit was conspicuously labeled with a “Caution, X-Ray Beam When Flashing” label. The unit has one warning light that flashes rapidly while the machine is in operation and producing x-rays. A positive action on the part of the operator is necessary in order to energize the XRF x-ray tube. A code must be entered by the operator into the unit in order to put the unit into