Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017

Question 1

ICRP 103
- international framework

Answer 1

Justification
-radiation should only be used where benefits outweighs the risks

Optimisation
-radiation exposure should be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
-taking into account economic and societal factors

Limitation
-levels of radiation dose must not be exceeded under normal circumstances

Question 2

Health and safety at work act 1974
Duty on employers

Answer 2

Employers must:

-Provide a safe workplace: employers are responsible for implementing measures to keep the workplace safe

-Provide training and information: Employers are responsible for providing employees with information, instruction, training and supervision.

Question 3

Health and safety at work act 1974
Duties on Employees

Answer 3

Employees must…

-Take care of themselves: Employees are responsible for their own health and safety and for not putting others at risk. This includes:

*following health and safety guidelines and training
*using equipment correctly and safely
*avoiding dangerous situations
*being aware of how their actions affect others

-report any hazards or risks to their employer
-cooperating with their employer on health and safety
-informing their employer of any injuries, illnesses that affect their ability to work

Question 4

Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017
(IRR 2017)

Answer 4

Health and safety executive

For public and staff

Question 5

IRR 2017
Notification, registration, consent

Answer 5

-graded approach to regulation

-performed once per employer

-regulations 5,6,7

Notification: low risk
Registration: medium risk x ray sources need to meet conditions
Consent: high risk nuclear medicine and radiotherapy need to provide more detail

Question 6

RADIATION RISK ASSSESSMENTS

Answer 6

Radiation risk assessments should be performed prior to new work

-identification of hazards
-sources of contamination
-estimation of doses
-engineering control features
-planned systems of work
-accident situations
-methods of risk reduction

Question 7

5 steps in Risk Assessment

Answer 7

1) identify the hazard

2)decide who might be harmed and how

3) evaluate the risk and decide the precautions

4)record your findings and implement them

5)review and update if necessary

Question 8

Hierarchy of control

Answer 8

Elimination

Substitution

Engineering controls

Administrative controls

Personal protective clothing and equipment

Question 9

Area designations

Answer 9

Controlled area
Supervised area

Question 10

Controlled area

Answer 10

Area where special procedures have to be followed or dose is likely to exceed 6-7.5 mSv

Question 11

Supervised area

Answer 11

Dose likely to be greater than 1mSv

OR

Kept under review to ensure it doesn’t become controlled

Question 12

Designated area signs
Warning
Prohibition

Answer 12

Warning - radiation controlled area risk from external radiation

Prohibition- no access for unauthorised persons

Question 13

Radiation controlled areas will have

Answer 13

LIGHTS AND SIGNS

Question 14

Local rules

Answer 14

work instructions on how to work safely with radiation
They Include:

-description of designated area
-name of radiation protection supervisor
-work instructions for entry into the controlled area
-contingency arrangements
-dose investigation level

Question 15

Outside workers

Answer 15

-any individual entering a controlled area to work with radiation on behalf on another employer

-employer must ensure that the outside worker is aware of the risks involved in work

-should be issues a radiation passbook

-estimation of their dose received

Question 16

Contingency plan

Answer 16

Plan for a radiation accident with significant risk
E.e patient in a cardiac arrest during a fluoroscopy procedure

Question 17

Personal dosimetry

Answer 17

To ensure dose limits aren’t exceeeded

Protects individual and employer

Included into systems of work for controlled areas

Failure to comply with dosimetry requirements breaches access restrictions

Question 18

What are dose investigation levels

Answer 18

Ensure that no one is exceeding a dose limit

Investigation is initiated by RPS
-look at possible causes
-discussion with Radiation protection advisor (RPA)
-conclusion and actions

Question 19

Pregnant staff

Answer 19

Must inform employer in writing

Dose limit of 1mSv for foetus

May requires review of local risk assessment and adjustment of working practices

Question 20

Who are classified staff?

Answer 20

-staff that will be exposed to above 3/10ths of dose limit

-must be over 18

-must be certified fit to work before classified

-monitored by an Approved Dosimetry Service

-records kept by the ADS until individual is 75 or at least 30 years has passed

Question 21

Employee duties IRR 2017

Answer 21

Not knowingly overexpose themselves or others

Report incidents

Make full use ppe

Report if ppe is damaged

Care for and return ppe

Wear and return personal dosimeters

If they become pregnant inform their employer in writing to ensure a pregnant worker risk assessment is performed

Question 22

IRR 2017
Employers” duties

Answer 22

-adequate resources provided for compliance

-legal requirements for employers to coooperate when working with ionising radiation from one employer is likely to give rise to the exposure of staff of another employer

-area handover : practicable to transfer responsibility of a controlled area to another employer

Question 23

What is a RPA

Answer 23

RADIATION PROTECTION ADVISOR

-provide advice on compliance with legislation
-checks of engineering controls
-plan installations
-calibration of equipment

Question 24

Who is RPS

Answer 24

RADIATION PROTECTION SURPERVISORS

-ensure local rules are followed and adhered to
-govern the Controlled Area

Question 25

What does an equipment installer do

Answer 25

Perform a critical exam of the safety features of new equipment

Often delegated to the RPA for the site