Utah: radiation safety rules for fluoroscopy teams

Yes. Utah is not on the NRC's list of non-Agreement States, and a 2026 five-year review notice says the NRC has reviewed Utah's general provisions (R313-12) for compatibility.

R313-28, Use of X-Rays in the Healing Arts (effective 09/15/2025; fluoroscopy in R313-28-40); R313-16, registration and inspection of radiation machines (effective 05/16/2025); R313-15, Standards for Protection Against Radiation (shared general rule, read via Cornell LII).

Yes. R313-15-101(2) applies to every licensee or registrant, and R313-16-225(2)(a) requires each X-ray registrant's radiation safety program to comply with R313-15-101.

Where ALARA lives in Utah: In a shared rule and in X-ray-specific language. The ALARA term itself is only in R313-15-101, shared by radioactive-materials licensees and X-ray registrants. X-ray rules R313-16-225(2)(a) and R313-16-290(1) cross-reference it. R313-28-31(7) has its own wording requiring steps to minimize personnel exposure, which does not depend on R313-15. (R313-15-101; R313-16-225(2)(a); R313-16-290(1); R313-28-31(7))

Total effective dose equivalent of 0.05 Sv (5 rem) = 50 mSv per year, or 0.50 Sv (50 rem) = 500 mSv to any organ other than the lens, whichever is more limiting.

0.15 Sv (15 rem) = 150 mSv per year. Utah has not adopted a lower limit such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)'s 20 mSv.

0.50 Sv (50 rem) = 500 mSv shallow dose equivalent per year to the skin or any extremity.

5 mSv (0.5 rem) to the embryo/fetus of a declared pregnant worker for the whole pregnancy.

Adults likely to receive more than 10% of the R313-15-201(1) limits in a year must be monitored; declared pregnant women must be monitored if likely to exceed 1 mSv (0.1 rem) deep dose over the pregnancy. Individuals working with medical fluoroscopic equipment are listed separately, but a registrant need not issue dosimeters if a survey shows the worker is unlikely to exceed 10% of the limits and is neither a minor nor a declared pregnant woman.

Whole-body badge at the most exposed unshielded spot, typically the collar when an apron is worn. Lens badge at the collar outside the apron or closer to the eye; fetal badge at the waist under the apron. With one neck badge outside the apron, if the reported dose exceeds 25% of the limit, effective dose = deep dose x 0.3. With two badges, effective dose = 1.5 x waist (under apron) + 0.04 x neck (outside apron); the second badge is required for a declared pregnant woman. The rule states the formulas directly and does not name National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) 122 or Webster. Possible drafting error: R313-15-201 cross-references 502(1)(d) instead of (1)(e).

The operator and other staff must be protected from scatter by protective aprons or barriers unless distance keeps exposure within the R313-15-201 limits. Facilities must have enough aprons and gloves for unshielded staff. Any part of a non-patient's body in the useful beam needs at least 0.5 mm lead equivalent. There is no general minimum apron thickness for fluoroscopy; the 0.5 mm figure for aprons applies only to hand-held units. Fluoroscopes need at least 0.25 mm lead-equivalent scatter shielding, with exceptions. Thyroid shields and eyewear are not mentioned.

not found

Not expressly addressed; engineered radiation protection systems are not mentioned. The rule allows 'protective aprons or barriers' and defines a protective barrier broadly. Drapes, bucky-slot covers and self-supporting curtains are listed as shielding in addition to the apron.

Operators of diagnostic X-ray systems must be licensed under Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 54. Radiologic technologists work under the general supervision of a radiologist or radiology practitioner. Radiology practical technicians do limited procedures under supervision. Radiologist assistants work under the indirect supervision of a radiologist. Exemptions for physicians, PAs or NPs (58-54-306), and whether practical technicians may do fluoroscopy, could not be confirmed.

Registrants must document that operators are trained in choosing technique factors and in safe operation. Operators must be instructed in the facility's written radiation safety program, and hand-held units require the manufacturer's training. Radiologist assistant licensure involves American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification. No fluoroscopy permit, required training hours or physician fluoroscopy training was found in R313-28. Full technologist licensure and continuing-education rules were not retrieved.