Ionising Radiation

Relevant Statutes:

Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985

Application

During any operation involving the:

production
processing
handling
use
holding
storage
moving
transport
disposal

of any radioactive substance, or:

when operating; or,
using any radiation generator.

Duties

The Regulations impose duties on employers to protect their employees and other persons against radiation arising from work with radioactive substances. While Dose Limits are specific, duties include:

"every employer shall take all necessary steps to restrict so far as reasonably practicable the extent to which his employees and other persons are exposed to ionising radiation".

This Regulation applies the principle of ALARA i.e. it is expected that control systems
are such that exposure of any individual will be As Low As Reasonably Achievable
Whilst every endeavour must be made to keep exposure as low as possible, there are
dose limits which must not be exceeded.

Local rules, controlled areas

All work involving ionising radiations shall be subject to local rules.
The local rules, are the general principles and description of the means of complying
with the Regulations, and will normally involve the advice of a Radiation Protection
Adviser (RPA), who will also advise on the identification of controlled and supervised
areas

The employer must appoint one or more Radiation Protection Supervisors (RPS).

The RPS should be directly involved with the work with ionising radiations, preferably in a line management position which will allow him to exercise close supervision to ensure
work is carried out in accordance with the local rules.

The RPS so appointed should know and understand the local rules and the Regulations
insofar as they affect the work he supervises and should understand the necessary
precautions to be taken relevant to that work

Notification to Authorities

An employer (Note 1) undertaking work offshore involving ionising radiations for the
first time is required to notify the Offshore Safety Division. A form of notification
(F2522) is given in the Appendix to the Approved Code of Practice, "The protection of
persons against ionising radiation arising from an work activity".

The OIM may need to establish the position as to whether the owner of the installation
is regarded as the employer for the purposes of notification, or whether this
responsibility devolves on a sub-contractor.

Instruction and Training

It is the duty of every employer to ensure that those of his employees who are directly engaged in work with ionising radiation receive adequate information, instruction and training to enable them to comply with the Regulations. Other persons involved in such work are also required to be provided with adequate information.

Radiation Protection Adviser

The 0IM should be familiar with his company's procedures, the formulation of which will either involve the advice of the Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) or close contact with specialist sub-contractors. The procedures should cover:

Classified persons
Medical surveillance
Control of radioactive substances
Monitoring e.g. ionising radiation

NOTES.

(1) No definition of employer is given in either the Ionising Radiation Regulations or in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In the latter, however, an employee is defined as "an individual who works under a contract of employment". The 0IM may need to consider the position of his own company personnel vis-à-vis contractors personnel, while still bearing in mind his responsibility under the HSWA and Regulation 4 of the Ionising Radiation Regulations which requires close co-operation between employers, by exchange of information or otherwise, to ensure compliance with the Regulations. This is particularly relevant where the work undertaken by one employer can give rise to exposure to ionising radiations to the employees of another employer.

(2) On offshore installations there may be a need for the owner of the installation, as well as specialist sub-contractors. to appoint Radiation Protection Supervisors. 01M's and Owners should bear in mind that the owner of an installation may also be an employer within the meaning, of 1985 Regulations.

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