The RSO shall ensure that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with approved procedures and regulatory requirements in the daily operation of the licensee's program.

The minimum qualifications, training, and experience for RSOs for industrial radiography are as follows:

Completion of the training and testing requirements of § 34.43(a);

2000 hours of hands-on experience as a qualified radiographer in industrial radiographic operations; and

Formal training in the establishment and maintenance of a radiation protection program.

The Commission will consider alternatives when the RSO has appropriate training and/or experience in the field of ionizing radiation, and in addition, has adequate formal training with respect to the establishment and maintenance of a radiation safety protection program.

The specific duties and authorities of the RSO include, but are not limited to:

Establishing and overseeing all operating, emergency, and ALARA procedures as required by 10 CFR part 20 of this chapter, and reviewing them regularly to ensure that the procedures in use conform to current 10 CFR part 20 procedures, conform to other NRC regulations and to the license conditions.

Overseeing and approving all phases of the training program for radiographic personnel, ensuring that appropriate and effective radiation protection practices are taught;

Ensuring that required radiation surveys and leak tests are performed and documented in accordance with the regulations, including any corrective measures when levels of radiation exceed established limits;

Ensuring that personnel monitoring devices are calibrated and used properly by occupationally-exposed personnel, that records are kept of the monitoring results, and that timely notifications are made as required by § 20.2203 of this chapter; and

Ensuring that operations are conducted safely and to assume control for instituting corrective actions including stopping of operations when necessary.

Licensees will have until June 27, 1999, to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.