Radiation Safety maintains UCSF Machine Registrations with the Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) of the California Department of Public Health. Every machine that generates ionizing radiation must be registered with the RHB on one of UCSF’s several machine registrations. Please contact Radiation Safety when a new machine arrives or when a machine is moved, sold, or disposed to update registration appropriately.
Fluoroscopy
Radiation Safety tests these machines annually (every three years if not used on humans) and whenever a repair may have changed radiation output, to ensure radiation levels are within regulatory requirements. Fluoroscopic cases must have a physician with a Fluoroscopy Supervisor/Operator permit present in the room while radiation is generated.
X-ray and CT
Radiation Safety tests these machines annually (every three years if not used diagnostically) and whenever a repair may have changed radiation output, to ensure radiation levels are within regulatory requirements.
Mammography
These machines are maintained by Radiology diagnostic medical physicists.
DEXA
Radiation Safety tests these machines annually (every three years if not used on humans) and whenever a repair may have changed radiation output, to ensure radiation levels are within regulatory requirements.
Dental machines
Radiation Safety tests these machines every three years and whenever a repair may have changed radiation output to ensure radiation levels are within regulatory requirements.
Cabinet X-ray/Faxitron
Radiation Safety tests these machines annually, and whenever a repair may have changed radiation output, to ensure radiation levels are within regulatory requirements. Users of these machines must receive machine-specific training in addition to the online Radiation Safety for Machines training.
Therapy machines
These machines are maintained by Radiation Oncology medical physicists.
X-ray protective garments
Lead or lead-equivalent protective garments are essential protection when working with machines that produce x-rays such as radiography, CT, and fluoroscopy. Radiation Safety maintains an inventory of all x-ray protective garments and inspects them annually to ensure that these provide adequate protection. When not in use, remember to hang lead aprons by both shoulders; do not lay on surfaces or drop on the floor. Thyroid shields can be used to provide protection to the thyroid above the apron. Leaded goggles can be used to help reduce the radiation exposure to the lens of the eye. Some radiation-producing machines have lead drapes attached that help reduce scatter radiation to the staff. Gonadal shields should be used for patients as indicated in departmental policy.
