44:03:01:10.01.  Requirements for personal protective devices. Special personal protective devices must be used to protect eyes, skin, bone, and certain active blood-forming organs from unnecessary radiation exposure when possible The licensee must ensure devices are readily accessible and in good working condition.

    A gonad shield of not less than 0.5 millimeters lead equivalent material must be used for human patients who have not passed the reproductive age during radiographic procedure in which the gonads are in the useful beam, unless the shield would interfere with the diagnostic procedure or during abdominal or pelvic imaging in which automatic exposure control is used. For the purposes of this section, reproductive age means a person who is at least twelve years old but under the age of fifty-five and is capable of bearing or fathering children.

    The licensee shall check equipment used to reduce radiation exposure annually for defects. The licensee shall make and maintain a record of this test. If a defect is found, the equipment must be replaced or removed from service until repaired.

    Mechanical-holding devices must be used when the technique permits. The individual holder must be protected and no individual may be used routinely to hold the image receptor or patient. Written safety procedures must indicate the requirements for selecting an individual to be a holder and the procedure the holder shall follow.

    Source: 26 SDR 96, effective January 23, 2000; 50 SDR 41, effective October 11, 2023.

    General Authority: SDCL 34-21-4.1, 34-21-15.

    Law Implemented: SDCL 34-21-4.1, 34-21-25.