Radiation

The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 require employers to:

• undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before starting any new type of work with ionising radiation;

• restrict exposure to ionising radiation, firstly through means such as the use of adequate shielding, safety devices, containment and ventilation, where these are reasonably practicable, then by the provision of systems of work and personal protective equipment;

• maintain and examine engineering controls and personal protective equipment;

• consider the risks to pregnant and breast-feeding employees and alter working conditions where appropriate;

• consult (and appoint) one or more radiation protection advisers;

• designate controlled and supervised areas where necessary;

• implement dose limits; and

• make arrangements for designating certain employees as classified persons, arranging for the assessment and recording of doses they receive, and medical surveillance.

These regulations limit the dose of radiation to the whole body (the effective dose) to which workers aged 18 and over can be exposed to 20 millisieverts (mSv) in a calendar year. However, in special cases, a dose limit of 100mSv in five years may apply, with no more than 50mSv in a single year, subject to strict conditions.

For trainees, the limit is 6mSv in a calendar year, and for any other person, including members of the public, the limit is 1mSv a year.

The HSE has published guidance on planning for emergencies involving radiation releases with the potential to affect the public, which supports the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR). The REPPIR implement the emergency planning aspects of a European directive setting out basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers from ionising radiation.

The regulations apply to fixed sites, rail transport and the transfer of radioactive substances across public places (other than by standard means of transport).

The Basic Safety Standards (BSS) Directive (2013/59/Euratom), was adopted on the 5 December 2013. The new BSS Directive incorporates the latest recommendations from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) published in 2007, and harmonises the EU regime with the Basic Safety Standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The UK government has to implement the Directive into UK law by the 6 February 2018.