The Washington State government has established rules for dealing with radioactive materials. These rules are in the Washington Administrative Code (WAS) which contains regulations issued by the Executive Branch of the Washington State government as instructed by enabling statutes. In general states must conform to national standards laid down by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) which licenses companies to handle radioactive materials.
WAC 296-62-09004 was issued by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries with regard to general industrial use of radioactive materials. The regulations begin with a glossary of terms and a section the gives details of how to measure exposure. Special attention is dedicated to the hazard of exposure to neutron flux. It instructs that all radioactive materials must be registered with the state.
The WAC sets limits for exposure of employees to radioactivity per calendar quarter and requires. Limits are set for exposure to airborne radioactivity in a calendar quarter. Exposure is strictly limited to a very low level for anyone under eighteen. Personal exposure devices are to be worn by all employees who use or might be exposed to radioactive materials. Detailed records of all activities involving handling of and/or exposure to radioactive materials. Strict standards are set for the instruction of employees in dangers of radioactivity, proper handling techniques for radioactive materials, emergency and evacuation procedures.
Standards are set for signs to designate radioactive materials, radiation area, high radiation area and airborne radioactivity area. The signs employ the standard radiation symbol and contain the word "Caution." Control systems are required which can quickly reduce raised levels of radioactivity to acceptable levels. If such reduction is not possible, then an alarm must be triggered. Specifications for an evacuation alarm system are set with designated frequencies and loudness levels. The alarms must be protected as much as possible from being disabled by fire or and flood and must have emergency backup power which will kick in if power to the whole facility is lost.
Facilities must report any incidents in which individuals not covered by the Nuclear Regulatory standards for employees may have been exposed to radioactivity while in the facility or any incidences in which property may have been damaged by radioactivity in excess of a value of $100,000.
Permissible radon gas levels in uranium mines must be maintained by ventilation systems and detailed records of radon gas levels in the mine must be kept. Records must be kept of the time each miner spends in the mine.
WAC 296-155-150 was issued by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries with regard to the construction industry. It states that construction activities must follow NRC rules with respect to occupational exposure to radioactivity. Further, it requires that anyone handling such materials must be trained in the NRC rules and procedures.