Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations

18 (1) Every licensee who possesses, uses or produces either a sealed source containing 50 MBq or more of a nuclear substance or a nuclear substance as shielding shall, at the following times, conduct leak tests on the sealed source or shielding using instruments and procedures that enable the licensee to detect a leakage of 200 Bq or less of the nuclear substance:

• (a) where the sealed source or shielding is used after being stored for 12 or more consecutive months, immediately before using it;

• (b) where the sealed source or shielding is being stored, every 24 months;

• (c) where an event that may have damaged the sealed source or shielding has occurred, immediately after the event; and

• (d) in all other cases,

  • (i) where the sealed source or shielding is located in a radiation device, every 12 months, and

  • (ii) where the sealed source or shielding is not located in a radiation device, every six months.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a sealed source that is

• (a) gaseous;

• (b) contained in a static eliminator that has been retained by the licensee for less than 15 months;

• (c) exempted under section 5, 6, 8 or 8.1; or

• (d) used or stored underwater in a nuclear facility that is equipped with a device capable of detecting water-borne contamination of 200 Bq or less of a nuclear substance.

(3) Where a licensee, in the course of conducting a leak test on a sealed source or on shielding, detects the leakage of 200 Bq or more of a nuclear substance, the licensee shall

• (a) discontinue using the sealed source or shielding;

• (b) discontinue using the radiation device in which the sealed source or shielding is located or may have been located;

• (c) take measures to limit the spread of radioactive contamination from the sealed source or shielding; and

• (d) immediately after complying with paragraphs (a) to (c), notify the Commission that the leakage has been detected.